British army training in Kenya cancelled amid defence pact dispute

Nelson Koech, chair of the Kenyan national assembly’s defence, intelligence and foreign relations committee, confirmed that both governments are actively engaged in discussions to resolve these outstanding issues. As a direct consequence of the Kenyan government's decision, a planned exercise involving the 1st Battalion the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, scheduled for September, has been called off.

A spokesperson for the UK Ministry of Defence expressed regret over the situation, emphasizing the strong UK-Kenya relationship and the mutual benefits of their defence partnership. The spokesperson noted that the necessary licences for training in Laikipia were not granted, leading to the decision to conduct the training elsewhere. The UK remains committed to the partnership and aims to resume in-country training at the earliest opportunity.

Kenya also benefits economically from the British army's presence and training activities at the BATUK base near Nanyuki. The MoD acknowledged the disappointment this cancellation would cause for those who would have benefited from the economic activity. However, there has been sustained public pressure in Kenya against the British army's presence, fueled by past allegations of human rights violations, environmental destruction, and sexual abuse linked to the base.

The high-profile case of Agnes Wanjiru, who died in 2012 and for whom a British soldier has been charged with murder, has been a significant factor. Kenya has retained jurisdiction in this case, with an extradition hearing scheduled for November. Legal proceedings had stalled for years but advanced under former defence secretary John Healey.