Miraa farmer now wants Google to pay after their internet balloon crashed in his farm

A farmer from Meru county on Tuesday, January 2 threatened to sue Google for damages and losses incurred after its Project Loon’s internet balloon landed on his farm.Joseph Kobia from Kalamene village in Igembe central sub county explained that internet balloon destroyed his crops. The device from Google’s balloon-powered high-speed internet service known as “Project Loon” is part of 10 balloons deployed for testing in Nakuru, Nanyuki, Nyeri and Marsabit in July this year.Some scared residents complained of headaches after approaching the device.Igembe South OCPD Jane Nyakeruma said no injuries or damage were reported from the crash.“The device from project loon indicates it fell after its expiry period of six months. No one is yet to claim the device,” Ms Nyakeruma said.Locals said the device had an advisory message indicating that it would crash after six months and contacts of the person to be informed in case of the eventuality.According to a report by Citizen TV, the farmer's property was also destroyed and looted by curious locals who had thronged in his farm to see the internet balloon.Simon Wachira, a Kenya Wildlife Service controller, said they had been monitoring the balloon for six months."The balloon has a self shelf life and its controlled to descend in a safe place where there is no settlement or human interference but sometimes because of the wind its pushed away from the intended area like in this case,” said Wachira.The X Company is behind the idea to increase internet access to rural and remote populations worldwide.