MOD working with Kenyan government after inquiry into allegations of abuse by British Army soldiers

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) says it is working with a Kenyan inquiry into allegations of abuse by members of the British Army.

The investigation will focus on the activities of the soldiers from the British Army Training Unit Kenya (Batuk).

Serious accusations include murder, sexual abuse, and also claims that Batuk damaged land close to its base in Nanyuki, about 125 miles (200km) north of the capital, Nairobi, which the MOD refutes.

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The MOD says all allegations are taken "seriously" and it will be working with the inquiry.

In reference to the conduct of British military personnel, a British Army Spokesperson said: "We take all allegations made against UK service personnel seriously, and they are investigated swiftly by the service authorities or the host nation authorities with appropriate support from the Armed Forces.

"We expect very high standards of behaviour of our personnel, whether they are on or off duty."

Kelvin Kubai, a Kenyan lawyer, has called the inquiry a "significant" move.

"It's the first time that British Army activities are being reviewed in this way," he said, since the country gained independence from the UK in 1963.

The Kenyan government said: "The committee scheduled the inquiry to commence in August this year, and will involve all stakeholders including residents, civil society, the Kenya Defence Ministry and the UK Embassy."

Among the complaints raised by Kenyan residents was the alleged murder of Kenyan woman Agnes Wanjiru in 2012 at the hands of British soldiers in Nanyuki, and claims that Batuk activities could have caused the fire that burnt down a section of the Lolldaiga Hills Ranch in 2021.

In regards to the Lolldaiga Fire, a British Army Spokesperson said: "A fire occurred on privately owned land that the Army trains on in Kenya on 23 March 2021.

"An independent environmental assessment report was funded by Ministry of Defence to assess the impact of the fire and a copy has been provided to those potentially affected by the fire."

Batuk

Batuk is a permanent training support unit based mainly in Nanyuki, 200 km north of Nairobi, but with a small element in Nairobi.

The Army has said: "It provides demanding training to exercising units preparing to deploy on operations or assume high-readiness tasks and consists of around 100 permanent staff and reinforcing short tour cohort of another 280 personnel.

"Under an agreement with the Kenyan government, up to six infantry battalions per year carry out eight-week exercises in Kenya."