Kenyan Parliament Uncovers ‘Disturbing Trend’ By British Troops
A parliamentary probe in Kenya has accused British troops training there of a pattern of sexual assault and environmental damage, leading to the former colonial power’s forces being viewed as an “occupying presence”.
The examination by a legislative committee focused on defense and foreign relations.
The research reveals growing dissatisfaction in the East African country with the actions of soldiers from the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK), who have faced a slew of high-profile allegations in recent years.
In a statement to Reuters, a spokesperson for Britain’s military ministry said the ministry greatly regrets “the challenges that have arisen in relation to our defence presence in Kenya”.
A parliamentary inquiry in Kenya has accused British troops training there of a pattern of sexual misconduct and environmental harm that has led the forces from the former colonial power to be seen as an "occupying presence". https://t.co/yflQDEmMfs
— Reuters Africa (@ReutersAfrica) December 3, 2025
He also stated that it was prepared to explore fresh charges in the report once evidence was supplied.
Thousands of British troops can transit through Kenya for training missions each year.
The most significant claim concerns the 2012 death of 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru near the British forces’ training base in Nanyuki.
The culprit, a British soldier named Robert Purkiss, was apprehended in Britain last month following years of agitation by Wanjiru’s family and Kenyan rights organizations.
The groups claimed that her assassins were protected by a defense cooperation pact between the two countries.
Purkiss, who is currently facing extradition hearings, has denied any role in Wanjiru’s murder.
The committee’s report, which was dated November 25 but published on parliament’s website on Tuesday, said it had “uncovered a disturbing trend of sexual misconduct by BATUK personnel, marked by rape, assault, and abandonment of children fathered by soldiers”.
It said public hearings in areas where BATUK trains had brought to light evidence of numerous injuries and deaths to Kenyan employees.
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The locals are employed by British forces to clear unexploded ordnance without protective equipment, as well as environmental damage caused by the illegal dumping of toxic materials.
“BATUK is increasingly seen as an occupying presence rather than a development partner,” it said.
In a statement it provided to the parliamentary committee, BATUK said it has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse and takes any allegations very seriously.
It added that environmental audits showed high levels of compliance with Kenyan regulations.
The current defence cooperation agreement between Britain and Kenya was signed in 2021 and expires next year.
Kenyan Parliament Uncovers ‘Disturbing Trend’ By British Troops
