BP toxic waste lawsuit: Kenya High Court allows northern Kenya class action to proceed

Kenya’s High Court ruled on Thursday that a class action against BP can proceed. The case alleges toxic waste from oil exploration polluted drinking water in northern Kenya. Petitioners said the contamination harmed residents and livestock near old drilling sites. The court decision allows the claims to be heard in full.

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The lawsuit was filed by 299 petitioners in February at the Land and Environment Court in Isiolo. The petition said hazardous waste was disposed of and discharged into the environment. It alleged the pollution spread into groundwater and affected nearby communities over many years.

BP class action lawsuit alleges toxic waste contaminated drinking water

The petition claimed the waste contained radioactive materials and other dangerous substances. Court documents listed alleged contaminants, including radium isotopes, arsenic, lead and nitrates. The papers said the materials were dumped in unlined pits. It also said some waste was left exposed at the sites.

Petitioners said the contamination made people ill and killed livestock. The filing alleged that more than 500 residents died. It linked deaths to cancers and other illnesses. The petition connected the claims to drinking water with heavy metals and carcinogens.

BP case links pollution claims to 1980s oil exploration in northern Kenya

The exploration work took place in the 1980s and was carried out by Amoco Corporation. The petition said Amoco drilled several dry wells near Kargi and Kalacha. The locations are in the Chalbi Desert in northern Kenya. Amoco was later acquired by BP in 1998.

The suit also named Kenyan government ministries and agencies in the environment, water, mining and health sectors. It alleged these bodies failed to act despite evidence of contamination. Petitioners argued that oversight and enforcement did not protect affected communities near the exploration areas.

The case is scheduled to resume in May. BP has not issued a public response to the ruling. BP also did not immediately reply to an email seeking comment. The next hearings are expected to address evidence and responsibility for alleged pollution.

With inputs from PTI