In a statement to BFBS Forces News, a HM Government spokesperson said: "It is with regret that the necessary licences required to allow training to take place in Laikipia later this year have not been forthcoming." (Picture: BFBS)

Army

British Army training in Kenya cancelled as UK refused licences by Kenyan government

23rd July 2026 at 12:09pm

The Kenyan government has forced the Ministry of Defence to cancel an upcoming major training deployment by refusing to issue the licences needed for the Army to train in their country.

It means a major exercise involving the 1st Battalion, the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment (1 Lancs), which was due to begin in September, has had to be cancelled at the last minute.

Relations between the UK and Kenya have reportedly been under strain following reports of a 'growing public trust crisis' by communities impacted by British Army training, and the issue of immunity clauses written within the terms of a bilateral defence agreement, which would protect soldiers from Kenyan prosecution should they be accused of crimes in theatre.

In a statement, HM Government said: "It is with regret that the necessary licences required to allow training to take place in Laikipia later this year have not been forthcoming. As a result, the planned training will now be conducted at an alternative location outside Kenya.

Strained relations?

Last week, Kenya-based outlets reported that relations between the UK and Kenya were under strain and that Kenya were yet to ratify a 2021 defence pact between the nations.

Those reports said British authorities had rejected a proposed amendment seeking to revoke immunity for UK personnel accused of committing crimes while serving in the country.

It was also reported that there is a disagreement between the nations over how much the UK should pay for using training facilities at the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK).

1 Lancs will instead deploy… to Salisbury Plain

1 Lancs personnel had been looking forward to a lengthy deployment to Kenya in the coming weeks.

Just a fortnight ago, their commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Russell-Blackburn, told BFBS Forces News that his unit were ready to deploy, and that the training was part of wider preparations for an upcoming operational tour of Estonia.

But with the move by Kenya to suspend British Army training, sources say the unit will instead conduct training on Salisbury Plain.

MOD sources have also confirmed that the move to cancel training in Kenya is not related to the recent publication of the Defence Investment Plan (DIP).

UK government working on resumption of training "at the earliest opportunity"

Since 2019, the British Army has conducted 26 exercises at its training facility in Kenya, making it one of the UK’s most important overseas locations when it comes to training personnel.

Ministers recently confirmed that five exercises were planned for 2026 and 2027 respectively; the UK government said it was continuing to engage with their Kenyan counterparts "to support the resumption of training at the earliest opportunity.”

The UK government’s statement in full:

"The UK highly values its relationship with Kenya, which is underpinned by mutual benefit, respect and cooperation. The UK-Kenya Defence Partnership is one of the great strengths of our relationship. Our joint training and operations with the Kenyan Defence Forces are keeping both Kenyan and British people safe.

"It is with regret that the necessary licences required to allow training to take place in Laikipia later this year have not been forthcoming. As a result, the planned training will now be conducted at an alternative location outside Kenya.

"We recognise the disappointment this decision will cause for those who would have benefited from the economic activity generated by the exercise. All UK training activity in Kenya is dependent on the permission from the Government of Kenya.

"We remain committed to our defence partnership with Kenya and the continued British Army Training Unit presence in the country. We will continue to engage closely with the Kenyan Government to support the resumption of training in-country at the earliest appropriate opportunity."