The British government has expressed deep regret over issues surrounding the presence of the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK), both historical and recent, pledging to take concrete steps to address them.
This development comes as the High Court in Nairobi on Tuesday ordered the fast-tracking of the extradition of a British soldier accused of murdering Agnes Wanjiru in 2012. Justice Alexander Muteti directed the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to liaise with the United Kingdom government to ensure the suspect is brought to Kenya to face trial.
The court ruled that the soldier should be tried in Kenya since the alleged offence was committed while not on official duty, as stipulated in the 2015 Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) between Kenya and the UK. The agreement outlines legal parameters governing the presence and conduct of British troops training in Kenya.
The UK Ministry of Defence, in a statement responding to a parliamentary inquiry into BATUK, reiterated its commitment to addressing misconduct and strengthening accountability mechanisms. The ministry said it had adopted several reforms, including:
Implementing standalone training across the British Army to reinforce discipline,
Enforcing the harshest penalties for offenders,
Aligning the Army’s internal policies with the broader Defence SEA policy, and
Formalizing the appointment of responsible officers to monitor soldiers during social activities.
“The United Kingdom government will continue to take considerable measures to prevent unacceptable behaviour among its soldiers in Kenya,” the statement read in part.
Agnes Wanjiru’s body was discovered in a septic tank near a hotel in Nanyuki, Laikipia County, in 2012—two months after she was reported missing. The case sparked public outrage and renewed calls for justice, particularly as the soldier accused of her murder continued to live freely in the UK for over a decade.
Wanjiru’s family has long campaigned for accountability and expressed hope that the latest court directive will finally pave the way for justice.
Justice Muteti also cautioned all parties against discussing the case in the media and ordered that all materials shared with the victim’s family remain confidential to protect the integrity of the proceedings.
The renewed momentum in the case marks a critical moment in Kenya–UK defence relations, spotlighting the ongoing debate over accountability for crimes allegedly committed by foreign troops stationed in the country.
