The UK government has issued a statement addressing allegations of misconduct and abuse by British Army personnel stationed in Kenya under the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK).
This comes amid growing scrutiny over alleged atrocities and environmental damage committed by the British troops.
BATUK, which maintains a training base in Nanyuki, Laikipia County, has been under investigation over allegations of corruption, fraud, abuse of power, and the torture and mistreatment of civilians by British soldiers
At the center of the probe is the 2012 killing of Agnes Wanjiru at a hotel in Nanyuki, following a night out with a group of British soldiers. The 21-year-old woman was raped, and her body was discovered in a hotel septic tank two months after her disappearance.
A recent investigation by the British Army has also revealed that some soldiers stationed at BATUK continue to use sex workers, despite a ban. The report said soldiers engaged with sex workers at a “low or moderate” level and noted that more work is needed to eliminate the practice entirely.
In a statement submitted on Wednesday, October 22, to the National Assembly’s Defense Committee, the British government acknowledged the “extremely regrettable” nature of past incidents involving loss of life and injuries.
“The UK MOD deeply regrets those issues and challenges which have arisen in relation to the UK’s defence presence in Kenya, both in the past and more recently. We continue to take action wherever possible to address them,” read the statement in part.
“The UK is committed to fully cooperating with both the DIFRC and Kenyan authorities to resolve outstanding concerns.”
UK Govt Issues Statement on Alleged Abuse by British Troops in Kenya
Some of the most harrowing incidents associated with BATUK’s operations involve the deaths of Kenyan civilians, many of them young and unaware of the dangers left behind by military exercises.
The UK also acknowledged incidents of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) involving British Army personnel in Kenya, admitting that transactional sex still occurs at a “low to moderate” level despite its strict zero-tolerance policy.
“There is absolutely no place for sexual exploitation and abuse by people in the British Army,” the MOD stated, calling such behavior “at complete odds with what it means to be a British soldier.”
It also stated that it was aware of allegations that some British service personnel may have fathered children in Kenya. According to the MOD, these matters have not been formally raised to BATUK by either the Kenyan Police Service or the Kenyan Ministry of Defence.
The UK MOD stated that, if no criminal accusation or concern is raised by local police, it would not investigate such cases. However, it confirmed that it would investigate, or support investigations into, any allegation involving abuse of power or sexual offences, in line with Defence Conduct Authority (DCA) guidelines.
The ministry emphasized its zero-tolerance policy on SEA, noting that personnel found in breach of this policy face dismissal and, where appropriate, prosecution.
Also Read: UK Sets Record Straight on BATUK Snubbing MPs
UK Backs Kenya in Agnes Wanjiru Murder Case
Regarding the Agnes Wanjiru case, the UK MOD did not address the matter directly in its statement but reaffirmed its commitment to cooperate with Kenyan authorities and the Defense and Foreign Relations Committee (DIFRC) to resolve “outstanding concerns.”
“The UK MOD is aware that, in September 2025, the Kenyan Director of Public Prosecutions determined that a British National should face trial in relation to the unlawful killing of Agnes Wanjiru,” it said.
“The UK provided support to the Kenyan investigation whenever requested to do so, which has included visits by Kenyan investigators to the UK and by the UK’s Provost Marshal (Serious Crime) to Kenya. The UK MOD will continue to support Kenyan authorities as appropriate.”
At the same time, the UK acknowledged concerns surrounding the 2012 death of Tilam Leresh, who was shot and killed by an on-duty British soldier at the Archer’s Post Training Area.
According to the UK’s response, the incident occurred in the course of official duty and was therefore investigated by the British Service Police, who referred the case to the independent Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA) for possible prosecution.
“Upon receipt of the written ruling issued by the Kenyan Chief Magistrate at the conclusion of the inquest into the death of Leresh in March 2024, the SPA conducted a further detailed review of the evidence in the case and again concluded that no charge would be brought because there was insufficient evidence to prove the killing was not done in lawful self-defence,” it added.
“The UK is always prepared to consider new evidence if it is presented to us.”
It further noted that it recognizes the pain and frustration caused by such tragedies, particularly in the case of Seurei, which highlighted the dangers of unexploded ordnance (UXO) left in civilian-accessible areas.
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