A Kenyan High Court ruled Thursday that a class-action lawsuit against BP regarding toxic waste from 1980s oil exploration can proceed [4].

The ruling allows residents of northern Kenya to seek damages for alleged environmental devastation that they said has led to widespread illness and death. The case highlights the long-term legal and health liabilities facing global energy companies for legacy operations in developing nations.

The lawsuit was filed by 298 petitioners [1] from remote villages in Marsabit County. The plaintiffs allege that oil exploration conducted during the 1980s [3] by Amoco — a company later acquired by BP — left behind toxic waste that contaminated local drinking water sources [2].

According to the petitioners, this contamination resulted in a cancer cluster within the region. They said that the pollution has caused hundreds of deaths [2] among the local population. The legal action seeks to hold the company accountable for the disposal of waste materials that the villagers said were left in the environment decades ago.

The case is being heard in the High Court in Nairobi [2]. The court's decision on May 7, 2026 [4], clears the way for the legal process to move forward, though a final judgment on the merits of the claims has not yet been reached.

BP has not issued a public statement regarding the specific allegations in the High Court filing. The villagers continue to seek remediation for the water sources in Marsabit County, and compensation for those affected by the alleged health crisis.

“A Kenyan High Court ruled Thursday that a class-action lawsuit against BP regarding toxic waste from 1980s oil exploration can proceed.”

This case underscores the growing trend of 'legacy liability,' where modern corporations are held accountable for the environmental practices of companies they acquired decades ago. By allowing the suit to proceed, the Kenyan judiciary is signaling a willingness to address historical environmental damage, potentially setting a precedent for other communities in the Global South seeking reparations for industrial pollution.