A Kenyan parliamentary committee has published a damning report on the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK), branding its conduct over decades as that of an “occupying force” and demanding a complete overhaul of the bilateral defence agreement.
Key Findings
- Repeated allegations of sexual violence, including rape and abandonment of children born to local women
- Unresolved 2012 murder of a Kenyan woman found in a septic tank, widely linked to BATUK personnel
- Failure to clear unexploded ordnance and illegal dumping of hazardous waste, causing civilian deaths and long-term land contamination
Lawmakers’ Demands
The Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee called for:
- Tighter oversight of British troops
- Proper justice and compensation for victims
- Full accountability for all past and future incidents
UK Response
London expressed regret but said it would only reopen investigations “if new evidence is presented.”
The report has reignited calls from affected communities for reparations and a fundamental rethink of Britain’s military presence in Kenya.
ALSO READ: Switzerland Moves Closer to New EU Deal After Strong Domestic Support
