Court awards Ksh.477M to family of tourist killed by tour guide at lodge in Maasai Mara

The family of the late Luo Jinli, 45, was further awarded 1 million Chinese Yuan (approx. Ksh.20 million) for the emotional turmoil they underwent, adding that Keekorok Lodge Masai Mara is fully liable.

The family sued Keekorok Lodge Masai Mara saying that the late Luo Jinli met her death on account of the lodge's negligence. 

“The evidence and circumstances of this case is an indictment of the defendant for breach of duty of care, quite contrary to their submission," the court noted.

“The defendant under the law being the occupier of premises owes a common duty of care to its visitors which is a duty to take such care as in all the circumstances of the case is reasonable to see that visitors will be reasonably be safe in using the premises."

Through lawyer Conrad Maloba the court heard that the family checked in to the facility on August 8, 2016, and that their tour guide was one Bai Jiang.

On the material night, the family went for dinner and while at the restaurant a verbal altercation occurred between the deceased and the guide when Jiang reached for the knife and stabbed the deceased.

“Chagpin left the table and returned with a steak knife from one of the tables in the restaurant. Mr. Chagpin used the knife to stab both the plaintiff and the deceased," reads the judgment.

The court noted that the deceased may have worked upto 60 years. 

“Therefore considering the vicissitudes of life, a multiplier of 15 years would be appropriate," the court added. 

In their defense, Keekorok Lodge Masai Mara said that there were adequate security measures at all times and despite having the opportunity to do so the visitors failed to report the initial incident.

Editors Note: This article has been updated to reflect currency conversion