In a landmark ruling, the Makueni High Court has ordered Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) to pay Sh3.8 billion to victims of the River Thange oil spillage and an additional Sh900 million to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) for area rehabilitation — all within 120 days.
Highlights:
- KPC to pay Sh3.8 billion in damages to River Thange residents.
- The company must also remit Sh900 million to NEMA for environmental re-cleaning.
- The court gave KPC a 120-day window to fulfill both obligations.
- The ruling ends a long-standing legal battle over oil contamination.
Main Story:
After years of waiting, justice has finally been served for hundreds of residents of River Thange in Makueni County, who were affected by a massive oil spillage from a Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) line. The Makueni High Court has now ordered KPC to pay Sh3.8 billion in compensation to the victims.
The court further directed KPC to pay Sh900 million to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to facilitate the re-cleaning and restoration of the polluted area — a task it must complete within 120 days from the ruling date.
The oil spillage, which occurred several years ago, contaminated River Thange’s water and soil, leading to serious health complications, destruction of crops, and long-term ecological damage. Despite earlier attempts at clean-up and out-of-court settlements, residents claimed that the efforts were incomplete and insufficient, leading to the legal showdown.
The ruling brings an end to years of advocacy, community complaints, and environmental assessments that painted a grim picture of the lasting impact of the spillage.
The court’s decision is not only a victory for the River Thange community but also a stern warning to corporate bodies about environmental accountability. KPC has not yet indicated whether it will appeal the ruling, but pressure is now mounting for the company to honor the court’s decision without delay.
Environmental activists and legal experts have lauded the judgment as a landmark case that could set precedent for future environmental litigation in Kenya.
In the words of one River Thange resident: “We were forgotten for too long. Now the law has remembered us.”
