Dwellers of a village in Taita Taveta are seeking Sh2 billion in damages from the Kenya Pipeline Company over what they claim was an oil spill that occurred in 2016.
The 270 residents living in Miasenyi-Majengo Mapya village want the court to compel KPC and Nema to implement permanent rehabilitation and restoration of the land and ecosystem.
According to their court documents, the main Pipeline that traverses Miasenyi and Majengo Mpya villages burst spilling oil that affected over 100 villagers.
Through their Lawyer Kenneth Amondi, they claimed the oil spill destroyed their crops and land which they say is their main source of livelihood.
"The spillage further caused many to develop asthma and other respiratory diseases," they claimed.
"This has interfered with school-going children. Talks on how they will be compensated or rehabilitated have not bore any fruits since 2017."
The dwellers have asked the court to take note that oil spills can take several years to clean up.
"Hence in respect of our case, a projected cost of Sh2 billion would be sufficient given that the costs of clean up, restoration and reclamation are often enormous and far-reaching," they said in court documents.
The oil spill, they claimed, completely tampered with the soil making it infertile.
"The oil spill compromised human safety and has in effect resulted in a permanent threat to ecological and socio-economic dimensions," they claimed.
