By Morara Beckham
Kenyan lawmakers are demanding that top officials of the British Army Training Unit Kenya (Batuk) appear before Parliament to answer to long-standing allegations of human rights violations, including killings and sexual violence.
The Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee, chaired by Belgut MP Nelson Koech, has insisted that the British military leadership must be held accountable and explain their involvement in the alleged abuses. This comes after years of growing concern over the conduct of British soldiers stationed in Kenya.
Speaking during a session with Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru on Tuesday, MP Koech emphasized that Parliament would invoke its privileges should the Batuk leadership fail to honor the invitation. "We are not backing down. This is about justice and accountability," he said.
Although the Ministry of Defence had initially opposed the direct appearance of the foreign military officials, citing diplomatic and procedural constraints, MPs argue that international best practices permit such engagements.
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi and Shinyalu MP Fredrick Ikana both supported the summons. “The PS must reconsider his position so that we can have a one-on-one engagement with Batuk. One life lost is too many,” said Ikana.
Batuk, based in Nanyuki with a small detachment in Nairobi, supports operational training for British troops and includes over 100 permanent staff and about 280 short-term personnel. Its presence in Kenya has long drawn scrutiny over incidents of abuse allegedly committed by soldiers during training exercises.
Responding to the lawmakers, PS Mariru said the Ministry of Defence would not stand in the way of Parliament’s constitutional oversight role.
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