Kenya Pipeline Corporation pulls out of talks with fire victims

The Sinai fire victims in Nairobi will have to wait longer for compensation after talks meant to strike a deal collapsed, the High Court heard Wednesday.

Justice Isaac Lenaola heard that negotiations for compensation had stalled after Kenya Pipeline Corporation (KPC) withdrew from the talks.

The victims' lawyer told the court that the corporation had pulled out of the talks despite having reassured that an out-of-court agreement would be reached.

One hundred people died three years ago in the Sinai fire tragedy.

Gave nod

High Court Judge David Majanja, who heard the case from the beginning, had given a nod for out-of-court talks between the Government, Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko, Kenya Pipeline, the National Environmental Management Authority and the victims.

However, Judge Lenoala who is now presiding over the case heard that with Kenya Pipeline having left the talks, the Government was apprehensive that a deal on payments would be reached.

The Nairobi Senator, who filed the case while serving as an MP for Makadara, said he had evidence that negligence by KPC led to the loss of lives of innocent Kenyans and destruction of property worth millions of shillings.

Sonko wants the KPC to compensate the victims for the suffering they went through.