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Parliamentary report details systemic rights violations by UK forces
Kenya's parliament has accused British soldiers of committing sexual violence, unlawful killings, and environmental damage over decades while training in the country, according to a scathing 94-page report released after a two-year inquiry.
Allegations span killings, sexual violence, and abandoned children
The inquiry, led by the Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations, compiled testimony from residents of Laikipia and Samburu counties, where the British Army Training Unit Kenya (Batuk) operates. Witnesses described a pattern of impunity, with cases of assault, rape, and fatal traffic incidents involving UK troops left unresolved.
Among the most egregious cases was the 2012 murder of Agnes Wanjiru, whose body was discovered in a septic tank in Nanyuki three months after she was last seen with British soldiers. A former UK soldier was arrested in the UK last month on an extradition warrant but denies the charge. Another case involved the 2012 killing of herder Tilam Leresh, allegedly by a Batuk sergeant, with no subsequent arrests or prosecutions in either Kenya or the UK.
"The pursuit of justice has been slow and fraught with frustration. Investigations have faced undue interference and obstruction, allegedly by Batuk personnel," the report stated.
Sexual violence and environmental destruction documented
The report highlighted "disturbing trends of sexual misconduct," including gang rapes, with survivors alleging that cases were dropped or mishandled by local authorities. One testimony recounted a 1997 incident in Archer's Post where 30 women were gang-raped at knifepoint, some in their own homes. Witnesses also reported public indecency, intoxication, and violent behavior by soldiers in social venues.
Additionally, the inquiry documented dozens of children fathered by British soldiers who later abandoned their Kenyan partners, leaving single mothers to face stigma and financial hardship. Environmental concerns were also raised, including allegations of white phosphorus use, which residents linked to respiratory illnesses, miscarriages, and livestock deaths. Unexploded ordnance left behind by training exercises reportedly caused injuries, including a case where a child lost both arms and an eye.
UK denies obstruction, pledges cooperation
The UK High Commission in Kenya expressed regret that its submissions were not reflected in the report's conclusions but affirmed its readiness to investigate allegations "under our jurisdiction fully, once evidence is provided." Batuk maintained a "zero tolerance" policy for sexual exploitation and abuse, citing independent environmental audits that showed compliance with Kenyan regulations.
However, the parliamentary panel accused Batuk of evading accountability by refusing to appear before the committee and invoking diplomatic immunity. The report described the existing defence cooperation agreement between Kenya and the UK as "structurally flawed," noting that murder is not explicitly listed as an offence outside the course of official duty, creating a "significant obstacle to justice."
Calls for reforms and accountability
The committee recommended amending the military agreement to include a visiting forces code of conduct, zero-tolerance rules for gender-based violence, environmental obligations, and civilian oversight. It also urged the Kenyan defence ministry to negotiate mechanisms to hold Batuk soldiers accountable for child support payments.
Despite the allegations, the UK and Kenya maintain a close military partnership, with over 1,000 Kenyan soldiers receiving British training annually and thousands of UK troops deploying to Kenya for exercises.
