A court in Narok has ruled in favor of the family of a Chinese female tourist who was fatally stabbed in 2016 by another Chinese citizen following a dispute over seating arrangements during dinner at Keekorok Lodge in Maasai Mara National Park.
The court awarded KES 23 million in compensation to the family of the deceased, Luo Jinli, 45, along with an additional KES million for the emotional distress endured by the family. The court held Keekorok Lodge Masai Mara fully liable for the incident.
The lawsuit, brought by the family against Keekorok Lodge Masai Mara, alleged negligence on the part of the lodge, leading to Luo Jinli’s death. In its ruling, the court emphasized the defendant’s breach of duty of care, contrary to their assertions.
According to court documents presented by lawyer Conrad Maloba, the family had checked into the lodge on August 8, 2016, with Bai Jiang serving as their tour guide. The fatal altercation occurred during dinner when a verbal dispute erupted between Luo Jinli and the guide, resulting in Jiang fatally stabbing the deceased with a steak knife obtained from a nearby table.
The court acknowledged the potential earnings of the deceased over a projected lifespan of up to 60 years, factoring this into its compensation calculation. It determined a multiplier of 15 years as appropriate, considering life’s uncertainties.
In its defense, Keekorok Lodge Masai Mara argued that adequate security measures were in place at all times, and criticized the family for failing to report the initial altercation despite having the opportunity to do so.
