In northern Kenya’s Marsabit County, cancer is devastating families in the Rendille community of Kargi. Kesemo Kapina, 56, has stage-four throat cancer and can no longer work or care for her family. She says she is forced to borrow money for treatment, while her son has dropped out of school to care for her.
Former nurse Assunta Galgitele began noticing a rise in cancer cases more than 20 years ago. Like others in their community, they believe these cases may be linked to toxic waste left behind after oil exploration by Amoco – now part of British energy giant BP – in the late 1980s, and point to a mysterious white substance found at former drilling sites. Government water tests in 2009 found contaminants including arsenic and nitrates; one Kargi borehole recorded arsenic levels more than 110 times the WHO guideline.
However, the source of the contamination remains unproven. In February 2026, 300 residents filed a class-action lawsuit against the companies involved. As the case moves forward, the Kargi community is demanding answers from the government, clean water and compensation.
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