Kenyan MPs accuse British troops of sexual assault, violence and misconduct during training operations

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - Kenyan lawmakers on Wednesday said they uncovered a pattern of sexual violence, disorderly conduct, and negligent handling of explosives by British Army personnel operating under the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK).

The probe was initiated by the National Assembly’s Defense, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations Committee after it received petitions and numerous complaints from communities in Laikipia and Samburu, the counties that host BATUK’s main training areas and have long raised concerns over troop conduct.

BATUK is headquartered in Nanyuki, a garrison town in central Kenya about 200 kilometers (124 miles) north of Nairobi.

The committee said the accounts raise serious concerns about the behavior of BATUK troops during off-duty interactions and field exercises in northern Kenya.

At the hearings, witnesses told MPs that fights between British soldiers and residents were common, particularly at nightspots near training areas.

The report said community members “described frequent altercations involving BATUK soldiers in bars, social venues and town centers,” and that many of the incidents involved “intoxication, disorderly conduct and in some cases violent or sexually aggressive behavior.”

Committee members said the most disturbing submissions involved claims of rape and sexual assault against young women in surrounding communities.

According to the report, several witnesses “reported multiple incidents of rape and sexual assault perpetrated by BATUK soldiers,” with some accounts describing attacks in remote areas and others in entertainment venues frequented by troops.

Beyond allegations of sexual violence, the lawmakers said they also examined accounts of explosive devices mishandled during training, as well as unresolved compensation claims from families affected by accidents linked to military activities.

In multiple cases, the committee noted community testimony that “BATUK has on diverse occasions failed to comply with court orders on compensation arising from accidents and environmental degradation linked to its activities.”

The UK High Commission, in a statement issued after the report’s release, said it regretted that its submission had not been reflected in the committee’s conclusions but affirmed its willingness to address any allegations within its mandate.

The mission said where “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.” It added that “the UK highly values its defense relationship with Kenya, which delivers a broad program of cooperation in training, education and capability development to counter shared security threats together.”

The inquiry has reignited anger across Kenya, a former British colony, over the unresolved 2012 killing of Agnes Wanjiru, a 21-year-old Kenyan woman whose body was found in a septic tank near a Nanyuki hotel.

Kenyan prosecutors formally named former British soldier Robert James Purkiss as the prime suspect in 2025 and initiated extradition proceedings. Purkiss, who denies the charges, was arrested in the UK and is contesting the request.

Lawmakers said they would summon relevant ministries to explain why complaints from local communities were not addressed earlier, and whether Kenya’s defense cooperation agreements with the UK sufficiently protect civilians.