Kenya’s Parliament has levelled grave accusations against soldiers of the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK), alleging that personnel have, for decades, been involved in sexual misconduct, killings, human rights abuses and environmental damage during their operations in central Kenya.
The claims are contained in a 94-page report by the Parliamentary Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations, following a two-year inquiry that reviewed testimonies from affected communities and interrogated the Kenya–UK defence cooperation framework.
According to the report, residents of Laikipia and Samburu counties recounted a pattern of abuses attributed to British soldiers, with women from the Samburu and Maasai communities said to be disproportionately affected. MPs criticised local authorities for mishandling complaints from survivors, leading to years of denied justice and unresolved cases — including the widely publicised 2012 killing of Agnes Wanjiru and the fatal shooting of herder Tilam Leresh.
The committee also raised concerns over environmental impacts linked to defence exercises, citing inadequate environmental assessments and reports of health problems in nearby communities. Legislators described the Kenya–UK defence agreement as flawed, particularly its lack of clear accountability frameworks for serious crimes.
The committee recommended the development of a strict code of conduct for visiting forces, the enforcement of zero-tolerance measures against gender-based violence, stronger environmental obligations, and formal mechanisms to address paternity and child-support disputes involving British soldiers. It also urged the government to renegotiate aspects of the bilateral agreement to better safeguard the rights and wellbeing of Kenyan citizens.
BATUK, which has operated in Kenya for decades, defended its record, saying it conducts independent environmental audits, complies with Kenyan laws and maintains a zero-tolerance stance on any form of exploitation or abuse.
The UK High Commission in Kenya expressed disappointment that its submissions were not fully reflected in the final report but stated its willingness to investigate any new allegations brought forward with supporting evidence.
