A damning report from Kenya's National Assembly has brought to light shocking allegations of widespread misconduct by British soldiers training in the country, forcing a painful reckoning with the consequences of a decades-long military partnership. The inquiry details a grim catalogue of abuses in Laikipia and Samburu counties, ranging from sexual violence to killings and severe environmental damage, that have long been suffered in silence by local communities.

This is not just a story about military misconduct; it's about the deep-seated question of sovereignty and whether the economic benefits of the UK defence pact are worth the human cost. For years, communities have lodged complaints, but this report by the Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations Committee marks the first time Parliament has so forcefully validated their claims, demanding accountability for crimes that have shattered lives and livelihoods.

A Pattern of Impunity

The parliamentary probe, which took two years to complete, uncovered what it described as a disturbing trend of sexual violence, including rape and the abandonment of children fathered by soldiers. Witnesses from communities near the Nanyuki-based training camp recounted numerous incidents where cases against soldiers were mysteriously dropped or settled without the victims' involvement. The report noted that altercations involving intoxicated soldiers, leading to assault and disorderly conduct, were frequent.

Perhaps the most haunting case is that of Agnes Wanjiru, a 21-year-old mother allegedly murdered by a British soldier in 2012. Her body was discovered in a septic tank at a Nanyuki hotel, two months after she was last seen with soldiers. Despite a Kenyan inquest in 2018 finding that she was unlawfully killed by British troops, no one has been prosecuted for her death, a delay that has become a symbol of the impunity critics say BATUK enjoys. In late 2025, a former British soldier was arrested in the UK on suspicion of her murder, facing potential extradition.

Scars on the Land

The report also highlights severe environmental negligence. The most prominent example is the devastating 2021 fire at the Lolldaiga Conservancy, which burned through 12,000 acres of wilderness during a BATUK training exercise. The blaze destroyed crucial wildlife habitats and had lasting health effects on the surrounding communities.

• The UK government recently agreed to pay a settlement of Sh517 million (approx. £2.9 million) to thousands of Kenyans affected by the fire.
• However, the settlement prevents victims from pursuing further legal claims and does not include an admission of liability from the UK.
• Unexploded ordnance from training exercises has also caused death and catastrophic injury, including the case of Lisoka Lesasuyan, who lost both arms and an eye as a teenager after finding a bomb.

An Unbalanced Partnership?

The relationship between Kenya and its former colonial ruler is underpinned by a Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA), renewed in 2021, which allows up to six British battalions to train in Kenya annually. The UK government notes the pact is worth over KES 7.5 billion to the Kenyan economy each year and is crucial for counter-terrorism efforts against groups like Al-Shabaab. However, the parliamentary committee accused the British Army of showing “institutional contempt” for Kenya's sovereignty by refusing to appear before the inquiry, citing diplomatic immunity. This has intensified calls to review, and possibly exit, the agreement if justice is not served.

The UK's Ministry of Defence has expressed deep regret over the challenges and stated it stands ready to investigate any new allegations where evidence is provided. Yet for the families of victims like Agnes Wanjiru and the communities scarred by years of alleged abuses, these words ring hollow without decisive action. As her niece, Esther Njoki, emphasized, the family is tired of assurances without action; they want justice that will finally allow Agnes's spirit to rest.