BP Faces Lawsuit Over 500 Deaths in Kenyan Exploration Area

A group of almost 300 petitioners filed a class-action suit against BP Plc and Kenyan authorities seeking compensation for environmental damage caused by disposal of toxic waste at oil-exploration sites in the northern fields of the East Africa nation.

They allege the oil major disposed hazardous materials at drilling wells in northern Kenya, leading to the deaths of about 500 people and a spike in cancer cases, according to the petition filed at a court in Kenya. Thousands of livestock also died after drinking contaminated water, it stated

“During the general operation of the sites while conducting drilling and seismic surveys, a substantial amount of hazardous and toxic contaminants were improperly disposed, discharged and released to the environment and has accumulated underneath,” the petition filed at the Environment and Land Court stated.

The toxic waste containing heavy metals and radioactive materials was allegedly “left in unlined pits or dumped,” affecting ground water sources, soil integrity, local livelihoods and the health of both animal and human populations, according to the filing.

Other entities sued include National Oil Corp. of Kenya and the National Environment Management Authority.

The petitioners want BP to bear the cost of environmental restoration, as well as compensation for loss of lives, livelihoods and violations of human rights.

“The documented acts and omissions constitute environmental genocide,” said Kelvin Kubai, an attorney for the petitioners.

The oil blocks were previously held by Amoco Corp., which merged with BP in 1998. A group led by Amoco drilled 10 wells — eight of them in the Anza Basin and two in the Mandera Basin — between 1985 and 1990, according to documents filed in court.

BP didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment and Nock Managing Director Leparan Morintat didn’t answer calls.

Nema, the Kenyan regulator, said the government environment policy was enacted years after the exploration activity.

“We support the local communities on their right to a clean and healthy environment,” Director General Mamo Boru Mamo said.

The Kenyan lawsuit is the latest in a string of court challenges against oil and gas companies accused of dumping pollutants harmful to human life.

Judge Oguttu Mboya directed the petitioners to serve BP with the suit papers and said others affected can apply to join the petition.