Environmental pollution case against British Petroleum kicks off

British Petroleum (BP) PLC is embroiled in a landmark environmental pollution case against 299 petitioners from Kargi, Kalacha and other affected areas of Marsabit County, a case that began on Thursday in the Isiolo Environment and Lands Court. The petitioners allege that oil exploration work carried out in the 1980s by Amoco Corporation – which was acquired by BP in 1998 – led to the drilling of several dry wells near Kargi and Kalacha in the Chalbi Desert.

These operations resulted in the improper discharge of hazardous and radioactive contaminants into the environment, which have contaminated groundwater and led to illness and death among hundreds of residents and livestock in the surrounding communities.

During the virtual mention before Justice Joseph Oguttu Mboya, the petitioners' advocate, Kelvin Kubai, expressed concern over a request by the Foreign Commission and Development Office (FCDO) to translate the petitioners' pleadings into English before they could be served to BP PLC. Kubai noted that all pleadings were prepared in English, arguing that the request was an attempt to further delay proceedings and termed it a tactic.

He highlighted that the petitioners have documented over 300 cases of individuals who died due to cancers, directly linked to toxic waste improperly disposed by the multinational oil exploration company in parts of Marsabit County during the 1980s.

These contaminated soils and water have also adversely affected the livestock in the region. The court is expected to issue further directions on October 26, 2026. The petitioners are seeking restorative orders, extensive examinations to assess the extent of contamination, and a comprehensive environmental social impact assessment to bring the full extent of the contamination to the court's attention.

Asumptah Galgitele, the whistleblower who worked as a nurse at the Kargi health center and became alarmed by the increased cancer cases, expressed optimism that the affected population will finally receive justice. She stated that despite the devastating impact on hundreds of families, the petitioners are prepared to consider all options, including pursuing the case to the International Criminal Court if necessary.