A report by the Kenyan parliament into the conduct of troops stationed at a British military base close to the town of Nanyuki in Kenya has alleged human rights violations, environmental destruction and sexual abuse by British soldiers.
The inquiry into the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (Batuk) was carried out by Kenya’s departmental committee on defencе, intelligence and foreign relations.
It collected testimony at public hearings in Laikipia county and Samburu county, and also received oral and written submissions from affected civilians, victims, community leaders, civil society organisations and relevant public agencies.
“Throughout the inquiry, the committee encountered significant institutional resistance and non-cooperation from Batuk, which persistently declined to appear before the committee and instead invoked claims of diplomatic immunity,” the report said.
The inquiry, chaired by the MP Nelson Koech, “uncovered a disturbing trend of sexual misconduct by Batuk personnel, marked by rape, assault and abandonment of children fathered by soldiers”.
“Survivors of sexual violence reported cases being dropped or mishandled by local authorities, with many victims denied access to justice,” the report said.
It added that an internal inquiry by Batuk between 2003 and 2004 into rape allegations “was found to have seized evidence and dismissed most complaints as false, without publishing its findings. These cases were compounded by the absence of any mechanism within either the UK or Kenyan justice systems to hold Batuk soldiers accountable for child support or other consequences of such misconduct.”
The inquiry also “noted with deep concern” the killing of Agnes Wanjiru, whose body was found in a septic tank in the grounds of a hotel where she had been drinking with British soldiers in 2012.
The report said: “It was submitted that the process of investigation has faced undue interference and obstruction, allegedly by Batuk personnel, which continues to hinder the delivery of justice.”
A former British soldier has been arrested in relation to Wanjiru’s death and extradition proceedings have started. He denies the charge and has said he intends to contest the extradition.
Among other allegations detailed in the 94-page document are that a man named Tilam Leresh was shot and killed by a Batuk officer while herding livestock, that local people had been injured by unexploded ordnance and a former G4S supervisor at Batuk alleged that military aircraft had deliberately frightened livestock, causing distress to farmers.
“The committee received extensive evidence of environmental degradation caused by Batuk’s activities,” the report said.
“Many witnesses expressed concern that Batuk’s military exercises have caused serious ecological damage in the training areas of Laikipia and Samburu, with corresponding harm to public health, livelihoods and conservation efforts.”
The region is home to wildlife including elephants, big cats and rare species such as the Grévy’s zebra. “Loud explosions, heavy troop movements and occasional training-related bushfires have disrupted wildlife habitats and migration corridors, often driving animals into nearby farms and settlements,” the report said.
The report also detailed an incident in 2021, when “during a military exercise at the conservancy, Batuk personnel were reported to have caused a fire that engulfed over 10,000 acres of land”.
“The inferno led to substantial destruction of local flora and fauna, forced wildlife to flee the area and displaced residents of the surrounding Lolldaiga region, who were exposed to noxious fumes and intense heat carried by strong winds over the Lolldaiga Hills,” the report said.
The inquiry made a number of recommendations, including the development of a visiting forces code of conduct to include zero tolerance of sexual violence, as well as setting out environmental obligations and social responsibility.
It also recommended:
The establishment of a survivor liaison unit to offer legal aid to victims of crimes linked to Batuk personnel.
For the British and Kenyan governments to negotiate “mechanisms to hold Batuk soldiers accountable for child support”.
The creation of a military-linked crimes taskforce to oversee investigation and prosecution of offences committed by foreign military personnel.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said on Wednesday: “We were grateful for the opportunity to submit evidence to Kenya’s National Assembly defence, intelligence and foreign relations committee’s inquiry into conduct at the British Army Training Unit Kenya and note the publishing of the inquiry report today.
“We deeply regret the challenges which have arisen in relation to our defence presence in Kenya.
“Our statement – offered in the spirit of cooperation to the committee – responded to the issues highlighted during the inquiry into Batuk and outlined the actions taken to address the concerns raised.
“Where new allegations have come to light in the committee’s report, we stand ready to investigate those under our jurisdiction fully once evidence is provided.”
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