The British army has been forced to cancel plans to train soldiers in Kenya after the Kenyan government refused to ratify a bilateral defense agreement. The exercise, planned for September with the participation of the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, has been called off.
According to Kenya's Daily Nation, the dispute centers on which country will hold primary jurisdiction over criminal cases involving British soldiers in Kenya. Kenyan lawmakers are demanding changes to grant local authorities greater power to prosecute British soldiers if they commit crimes on Kenyan soil. Additionally, the amount the UK pays Kenya to maintain the training base is also a contentious issue.
Nelson Koech, Chair of Kenya's Parliamentary Committee on Defense, Intelligence and Foreign Relations, said the two governments are “actively engaging to resolve outstanding issues.” He also stated that the committee has demanded “stricter accountability measures, including jurisdiction over serious crimes, better protection for local communities, and implementation of recommendations from the BATUK inquiry.”
A spokesperson for the UK Ministry of Defense said: “The UK highly values its relationship with Kenya, built on shared interests, respect, and cooperation. The UK-Kenya defense partnership is one of the strongest elements of this relationship. It is regrettable that the necessary permits for training in Laikipia later this year were not granted. Consequently, the planned exercise will be held at an alternative location outside Kenya.”
Over the years, the presence of British troops at BATUK, a military base near Nanyuki, has brought economic benefits to the region. The UK Ministry of Defense spokesperson acknowledged: “We are aware of the disappointment this decision has caused for those who benefited from the economic activity generated by the training.”
However, pressure from Kenyans opposing the British military presence is growing. Last year, a report submitted to Kenya's Parliament on the base alleged human rights violations, environmental damage, and sexual abuse by British soldiers.
The most prominent case involving the base is the death of Agnes Wanjiru, in which a British soldier was charged with murder. Kenya retains jurisdiction in this case, and an extradition hearing is expected in November. Robert Purkiss denies the murder charge. Legal proceedings have been stalled since Wanjiru's death in 2012 but have progressed under Defense Secretary John Healey.
