Space Object Crash: Is Kenya demanding compensation from India? Officials in Nairobi deny claims
There were some speculations that Nairobi is demanding compensation to the tune of USD 100 billion from the Indian Space Research Organization following the crash of a metallic object from space onto a local village in Kenya.
But the latest development is to the effect that the Kenya Space Agency is refuting the claims.
The unidentified cylindrical object with a jagged inner ring, weighing 500 kilograms, crashed in the Mukuku village of Kako Waia Ward, in the Makueni County of Kenya
Some unverified reports claimed that the Government of Kenya notified India and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) of a compensation demand following the fall of space debris originating from ISRO’s Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission, launched on December 30, 2024.
However, Kenya says they are not even sure where the mettalic ring which fell in Makueni came from in the first place, as they were still investigating the matter.
The alleged dispatch from Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to New Delhi, was copied to the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) Vienna International Centre, Vienna, Austria.
Except Kenyan authorities have distanced themselves from the letter, saying they have not written it.
The metallic debris, reportedly from India’s space experiments, dislodged from the atmosphere and came crashing back to earth, landing in a populated area of Makueni County.
Now, according to the previously circulating statement, the space ring was endangering human lives, damaging property, and causing potential environmental contamination.
“This constitutes a violation of international and national legal standards governing space activities and liability for space debris.”
The news reported on digital social platforms and a number of Kenya’s media outlets, insinuated that the incident could have caused serious risk to local populations, leading to property damage in the vicinity and resulting to environmental contamination due to possible hazardous materials in the debris.
This is what was contained in the alleged demand note to India
The legal Basis for Compensation is based on the International Law Outer Space Treaty (1967): Article VI: States are internationally responsible for national space activities, whether carried out by governmental or non-governmental entities.
Article VII: States are liable for damage caused by their space objects to another state or its citizens.
Liability Convention (1972): Article II: Launching states are absolutely liable for damage caused by their space objects on the surface of the Earth.
Article IX: Disputes can be resolved through diplomatic means or arbitration.
B. Kenyan Law Kenya Space Act (2017): Grants the Kenya Space Agency authority to regulate space activities and seek compensation for damages caused by foreign space operations.
It also mandates the government to ensure the safety and security of its citizens against risks associated with space activities.
C. Indian Law: Space Activities Bill (Proposed): Although not yet enacted, India has committed to establishing legal frameworks ensuring accountability for its space operations.
ISRO has publicly declared adherence to responsible space exploration and global safety standards.
Compensation Demand
In light of the significant risks and damages caused by the space debris, the Government of Kenya demands compensation totaling USD 100 billion USD, broken down as follows:
Human Safety and Livelihoods:
USD 20 billion for endangering the lives and livelihoods of affected communities.
Environmental Damage:
USD 30 billion for environmental contamination and restoration costs.
Property Damage:
USD 20 billion for damages to land, property, and infrastructure in the affected area
Emergency Response and Administrative Costs:
USD 10 billion for the costs incurred by local authorities in managing the incident, conducting investigations, and securing the area
Future Risk Mitigation:
USD 20 billion to establish advanced debris monitoring and prevention systems in collaboration with international space agencies
ISRO’s Commitments and Global Responsibility
India, through ISRO, has made significant commitments to ensuring the safety and sustainability of space exploration:
Debris-Free Space Missions by 2030:
ISRO has pledged to achieve debris-free missions by 2030 to prevent incidents like this.
Space Situational Awareness (SSA):
Indian Space Research Organization operates the ISRO System for Safe and Sustainable Space Operations Management (IS4OM) to monitor and mitigate risks associated with space debris.
Next Steps
Immediate Notification:
The Government of India is requested to acknowledge this notification and confirm receipt within 10 days.
Diplomatic Resolution:
Kenyan government invites the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Ministry of External Affairs to engage in diplomatic discussions to resolve this matter amicably and expeditiously.
International Arbitration:
Should a resolution not be reached within 30 days, the Government of Kenya reserves the right to initiate arbitration under the Liability Convention (1972) or escalate the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The Bottom line
The Government of Kenya emphasizes the severity of this incident and the need for accountability in space exploration.
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), as one of the leading global space agencies, must take full responsibility for the damages caused and ensure such incidents do not recur.
Failure to address this matter adequately will undermine international trust in ISRO’s commitment to global safety and responsible space exploration.
However Kenyan authorities have asked members of the public to ignore the dispatch.