Kenyan Parliament Calls for Review of Defense Agreement with UK Amid Rights Abuse Allegations
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, a Kenyan parliamentary committee has released a damning report alleging widespread misconduct by the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK), prompting calls for a comprehensive review of the defense agreement between Kenya and the UK.
The report, compiled by the Defense, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations Committee of the Kenyan Parliament, documents numerous instances of abuse, rape, and sexual harassment of local residents by British soldiers.
One high-profile case cited is the 2012 death of a young Kenyan woman whose body was found in a hotel septic tank, with British military personnel named as suspects.
The report also accuses BATUK of environmental damage, negligence in handling unexploded ordnance, and improper disposal of military waste.
Kenyan parliamentarians have described the presence of BATUK in their country as resembling that of an “occupying force,” advocating for increased oversight, and the establishment of justice and compensation mechanisms for victims.
The British government has expressed regret over the findings of the Kenyan Parliament’s investigation and stated its willingness to examine evidence related to the allegations.
