Leaders from Laikipia County have called on the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) to unconditionally sign the revised Defence Cooperation Agreement, saying the amendments introduced by the National Assembly are necessary to strengthen accountability and protect Kenya’s interests.
The leaders said the agreement should pave the way for BATUK to continue its operations in Kenya while ensuring that British troops operating in the country are subject to Kenyan laws.
Their remarks come amid growing uncertainty over the renewal of the Kenya–United Kingdom Defence Cooperation Agreement, with both governments reportedly blaming each other for delays in finalising the deal.
Speaking during an economic empowerment forum at Naibor in Laikipia County, Members of Parliament Sarah Korere, Mwangi Kiunjuri and Jane Kagiri said BATUK must be held accountable for crimes and environmental damage allegedly committed by soldiers training in the region.
The legislators argued that the amendments to the agreement were informed by unresolved issues, including the 2012 killing of Agnes Wanjiru allegedly involving a British soldier, and the Lolldaiga Hills wildfire, which caused significant environmental damage.
They also called for increased employment opportunities for local residents, enhanced corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, respect for Kenya’s sovereignty and greater accountability in addressing longstanding grievances.
Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri claimed BATUK had been reluctant to sign the revised agreement because it would require British personnel accused of committing offences in Kenya to face trial in Kenyan courts.
He argued that previous arrangements granted British soldiers broad legal protections, which he alleged had been abused.
The debate comes amid heightened scrutiny of BATUK following reports that some of its 2026 military training exercises were relocated to Tanzania under the Haraka Storm exercise.
The relocation fuelled speculation that the British Army could scale down or end its operations in Kenya due to delays in renewing the bilateral defence agreement.
However, the Kenyan government has dismissed claims that BATUK is exiting the country, maintaining that the long-standing defence partnership between Kenya and the United Kingdom remains intact and that discussions on the revised agreement are ongoing.
