In Kenya, parliamentary bodies have accused British soldiers undergoing training in the country of sexual violence, murders, human rights violations, and worsening environmental conditions. A report prepared by the parliament includes testimonies from local residents in the Laikipia and Samburu counties, which are near military bases, as reported by the BBC.
British soldiers training in Kenya (BATUK) have been conducting their exercises in the central part of the country for several decades. As part of military cooperation, over 1,000 Kenyan soldiers are trained by their British counterparts each year, and a significant number of British soldiers are deployed to Kenya.
The Kenyan Parliament's Defense, Intelligence, and International Relations Committee published a 94-page report claiming that British military personnel have repeatedly violated ethical standards, human rights, and the region's ecosystem, based on the findings of a two-year investigation.
The report contains oral and written testimonies from local residents, community leaders, as well as representatives from civil organizations and government agencies. Locals report incidents of murder, assaults, and bodily harm, including fights and fatal traffic accidents involving BATUK soldiers.
According to the report, BATUK is increasingly perceived as an occupying force, with locals drawing parallels to the colonial past, believing that the current actions of British soldiers resemble injustices that occurred in the past.
One of the most resonant incidents was the murder of Agnes Wanjiru in 2012. Her body was found in a septic tank at a hotel in the garrison town of Nanyuki nearly three months after her last appearance with British soldiers.
A former British soldier suspected of murdering Wanjiru was recently arrested following the issuance of a warrant in the UK. He intends to contest the extradition and denies his guilt.
The commission emphasized that the process of seeking justice is slow and faces serious obstacles, including alleged interference from BATUK. The report also states that British soldiers evade accountability by refusing to cooperate with the parliamentary investigation.
The British High Commission in Kenya noted that its materials were not taken into account in the report's conclusions and expressed readiness to conduct a full investigation based on the provided evidence.
In 2012, a herder named Tilam Leresh was shot, allegedly by a BATUK sergeant. Initially, the UK expressed regret over the incident; however, British prosecutors later stated that there was insufficient evidence for charges, but they are willing to consider new facts if they arise.
The commission's report also raises concerns about "worrying trends of inappropriate sexual behavior" among BATUK soldiers. Survivors of sexual violence share that their reports were not properly processed, and many victims did not gain access to justice.
The document presents "compelling evidence" of sexual violence by BATUK soldiers, particularly against women from the Samburu and Maasai communities, who were attacked while collecting firewood or water.
One of the incidents mentioned in the testimonies is the gang rape of 30 women in Archers Post in 1997, which occurred under the threat of a knife.
Witnesses also reported inappropriate behavior by soldiers in public places, including appearing naked and aggressive behavior, often while intoxicated.
BATUK claims its policy of "zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and violence" and emphasizes that such allegations are taken seriously.
The investigation also uncovered cases of children born to British soldiers who do not take responsibility for their actions. "Dozens of children were conceived as a result of relationships with British soldiers, leaving mothers alone and facing financial difficulties and stigmatization," the report states.
Kenyan lawmakers noted that BATUK has never conducted a mandatory impact assessment of its activities on the ecology and social situation. They also expressed concerns that the military may use white phosphorus, known for its devastating effects.
Residents reported respiratory illnesses, miscarriages, and livestock deaths due to toxic waste left after exercises. There are cases where a local resident died after carelessly carrying an unexploded ordnance, and a child who found another lost both hands and an eye.
BATUK, in turn, claims that independent environmental assessments have shown compliance with Kenyan standards.
The commission reported that BATUK representatives "stubbornly" evade participation in meetings and cite diplomatic immunity.
The UK Ministry of Defense noted that it responded to the questions raised during the investigation and outlined measures taken to address the issues.
The British High Commission confirmed its readiness to investigate new allegations mentioned in the report.
"We deeply regret the issues arising from our military presence in Kenya," reads an official statement.
The parliamentary commission concluded that the existing military cooperation agreement between Kenya and the UK has "structural deficiencies," highlighting significant gaps in legislation. In particular, "the charge of murder is not clearly defined as a crime outside the scope of duty," which is a "significant obstacle to justice," and the existing oversight system proves ineffective.
The committee recommended amending the agreement to include a code of conduct for foreign military personnel, zero tolerance rules for gender violence, environmental commitments, and civilian oversight.
It was also suggested that the Kenyan Ministry of Defense initiate negotiations with the UK government regarding mechanisms for supporting BATUK soldiers' children.
