Kenya: victims of abuse by the British contingent demand justice from Parliament.

Several alleged victims and representatives of affected families went to the Kenyan Parliament on Wednesday, August 12, to present their grievances. They demand that any extension of the agreement governing the presence of the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) be accompanied by concrete guarantees regarding justice and compensation.

Located near Nanyuki in central Kenya, the BATUK hosts more than 1,000 British soldiers each year for training periods. This presence is regularly contested due to accusations of human rights violations involving British soldiers or their activities.

The grievances mentioned include injuries and deaths attributed to unexploded ordnance, accusations of rapes and sexual assaults, as well as cases of children left without support by former British military personnel. However, the responsibility of the individuals implicated must be established by the competent authorities.

Nasibo Jillo, who advocates for children born from relationships with BATUK members, requests that these children be able to access their fundamental rights. Her nine-year-old son is said to be among the children whose father, a former British soldier, is not contributing to their support.

The families particularly demand recognition of paternity, financial assistance, access to education, and medical coverage. They believe that the renewal of the military agreement cannot be separated from the resolution of these issues.

Kenyans politicians also support the call for strengthening judicial mechanisms. They wish for British soldiers to be held accountable in the Kenyan justice system for serious offenses attributed to them, including in cases of death.

The Agnes Wanjiru Case Remains at the Heart of Criticism

The case of Agnes Wanjiru remains emblematic of the disputes between Kenyan victims and the BATUK. This young woman is said to have been killed in 2012 under circumstances involving a British soldier, according to accusations reported by her family. The case has yet to result in a definitive judicial decision establishing responsibility.

Her niece, Esther Njoki, continues to call for a thorough investigation and prosecutions. For the victim’s relatives, the presence of the BATUK should not be maintained as long as the pending cases have not been addressed.

In response to the criticism, the British government indicated at the end of 2025 that it would take measures to address the concerns raised. London notably announced the payment of nearly £3 million to over 7,000 people affected by a fire that occurred during a BATUK training.

The details of the upcoming agreement between Kenya and the United Kingdom, as well as the judicial guarantees that could be included, have yet to be specified.