These infanteers from The Rifles are typical of the soldiers who've benefited from the training facilities provided in Kenya since the early 1960s (Picture: Alamy)

Army

UK and Kenya resolve licence standoff over Army training, so key exercise can proceed

28th July 2026 at 3:11pm

The Kenyan government has now issued licences to the UK permitting the Army to train there in the coming weeks, according to reports in Kenya – and BFBS Forces News understands those reports to be correct.

The move marks a major U-turn for Kenyan officials who had until now decided not to issue permits – effectively refusing the Army permission to exercise in the country.

Last week, BFBS Forces News exclusively reported that authorities in Kenya had chosen not to grant access for personnel to train at the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) over disagreements between the two nations.

UK officials confirmed at the time that the planned autumn exercise had had to be called off, laying the blame firmly on the side of the Kenyan government.

The breakthrough means units, including 1st Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, will now proceed with their deployment to BATUK as planned.

BATUK is a permanent training support unit based mainly in Nanyuki, 200km north of Nairobi, and offers a very different environment to what most soldiers are used to - including FIBUA (Picture: Alamy)

Local reports described the resolution as a "sign of the strong and enduring relationship between Kenya and the United Kingdom" which had been under stress over the terms of a bilateral defence agreement that Kenya was yet to ratify.

The Kenya Times quoted the country's Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, as saying the "outcome demonstrates the ability of the two countries to resolve challenges through dialogue".

Since 2019, the Army has conducted 26 exercises at BATUK.

This autumn’s exercise will be the last of five planned for 2026, with a further five planned for 2027.

The resolution between the nations will come as a relief to commanders in 1 Lancs as the deployment forms part of their build-up training for an operational tour to Estonia in the spring of 2027.

A statement from the Ministry of Defence said: "We can confirm that the Kenyan government has agreed to issue the necessary licences and permissions for Exercise Haraka Storm to take place in Kenya.

"We greatly value the close cooperation and shared commitment between the UK and Kenya, which has enabled this progress.

"As a result, and following detailed work by the Army, Exercise Haraka Storm can now take place in Kenya this autumn as planned.

"The UK remains committed to working closely with the government of Kenya, including progressing the recommendations of the 2025 Parliamentary Inquiry and the Defence Cooperation Agreement, to further strengthen our deep and enduring military partnership."