A new Kenyan parliamentary report has accused British soldiers stationed in the country of decades-long abuses, including killings, sexual violence, human rights violations and environmental destruction linked to the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK).
The findings follow years of complaints from communities living around British training grounds in Laikipia and Samburu counties. Lawmakers say local residents have come to view BATUK as an “occupying force” due to repeated misconduct and lack of accountability.
Background: What Is BATUK?
BATUK is a permanent British training unit based in Nanyuki, central Kenya. It has operated since 1963 and hosts about 100 permanent staff and rotating troops from the UK. The unit trains British soldiers and offers counterterrorism support to Kenyan forces under the UK-Kenya Defence Cooperation Agreement.
Despite contributing economically to surrounding communities, BATUK has long faced accusations ranging from mishandling of dangerous military material to abuse of Kenyan women and fathering children without taking responsibility.
For decades, gaps in UK and Kenyan legal systems meant British troops could not be prosecuted locally. That changed in April 2024 when Kenya amended its defence agreement with the UK to allow for local prosecutions.
What the Parliamentary Report Found
The 94-page inquiry, released after 18 months of investigations and public hearings, outlines extensive alleged misconduct:
1. Sexual Abuse and Exploitation
The report found a “disturbing trend” of sexual offences by British soldiers, including rape and abandonment of children fathered with Kenyan women. Previous internal inquiries by BATUK were found to have mishandled evidence dating back to 2003.
2. Environmental Damage
BATUK is accused of severe environmental violations, including conducting exercises without proper impact assessments. A major wildfire in 2021 burned 4,900 hectares of vegetation, killed livestock, and drove wildlife into farmland. BATUK also allegedly dumped toxic waste illegally.
3. Mishandling of Unexploded Ordnance
The report cites “gross negligence” in the handling of unexploded bombs, leading to deaths, injuries, and long-term risks for local communities. Workers tasked with cleanup were reportedly not given protective gear.
4. Lack of Compensation
Victims bringing injury claims were not fairly compensated, according to the investigation.
Other Documented Abuses
The hearings included testimony from victims and families:
- A woman left wheelchair-bound after an alleged BATUK hit-and-run incident.
- A Kenyan woman abandoned with a young child by a British soldier who left the country.
- Thousands of complaints linked to the 2021 Lolldaiga Conservancy wildfire, believed to have been caused by BATUK’s use of white phosphorus.
More than 7,700 claimants later received a £2.9 million settlement for the wildfire, though many say it fell far short of actual losses.
The Agnes Wanjiru Case
The 2012 killing of 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru remains the most high-profile case. Wanjiru’s body was found in a septic tank near a hotel where BATUK soldiers were staying.
A Sunday Times investigation in 2021 revealed allegations of a cover-up and a soldier’s confession. In 2025, the UK arrested 38-year-old former soldier Robert Purkiss following a Kenyan court’s extradition order. His trial could set a historic precedent as the first extradition of a British soldier to face charges abroad.
UK Government Response
The British High Commission in Kenya said BATUK had not been adequately represented in the hearings, claiming that written submissions were omitted from the final report. The UK says it is willing to investigate any new allegations “once evidence is provided.”
What Happens Next?
The report recommends:
- Immediate cooperation between Kenya’s Attorney General and the UK to extradite Purkiss.
- Investigations into other deaths linked to BATUK.
- Compensation and psychosocial support for victims of sexual abuse.
- A new code of conduct governing foreign troops in Kenya.
- Tracking and holding accountable ex-BATUK soldiers who abandoned children in Kenya.
The report is seen as a landmark step for African nations hosting foreign military forces, signaling a shift toward stronger oversight and accountability.