MoD Admits its Kenya Desk Has Not Communicated With Kenyan Authorities Amid Rape and Murder Claims Against UK Troops
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD)'s Kenya desk holds no records of communications with Kenyan authorities regarding ongoing inquiries into alleged misconduct by British soldiers stationed in the east African nation, Byline Times has learnt.
This revelation comes as serious allegations of rape, murder, and exploitation at the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) continue to emerge, further straining the relationship between local communities and British military personnel. The Army has confirmed it is to launch an inquiry into the behaviour of British troops posted to the base.
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request by Byline Times asked for details of communications between the MoD and the Kenyan Parliament concerning the misconduct allegations, as well as any information provided by the MoD to assist with the Kenyan parliamentary inquiry.
The request also sought clarification on the actions taken or intended by the MoD in response to the testimonies given during public hearings in Kenya.
These testimonies have brought renewed attention to claims of abuse, particularly the unresolved 2012 murder of Kenyan woman Agnes Wanjiru, allegedly by a British soldier.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jN27kX5y3o
In its response, the MoD, through its Kenya Desk Officer from Security Policy Operations, confirmed that after conducting an internal search, it found nothing relevant to the request.
The letter stated that "no information is held in scope of your request," meaning that the MoD does not have any recorded communications or details of actions related to the ongoing Kenyan investigations into misconduct by British soldiers.
This lack of documentation is surprising, given the serious nature of the allegations and the public inquiries taking place in Kenya. Since 2022, Wanjiru's family, along with their legal representatives from the firm Leigh Day, have been pressuring the MoD to properly investigate her death.
Wanjiru, a local woman who was last seen alive drinking with British soldiers, was later found dead in a septic tank near the BATUK base.
Related reading: What Progress? The Ongoing Horrors of Sexual Violence in the British Military
A Kenyan inquest concluded that one or more British soldiers were responsible for her murder, but despite the inquest's findings and eyewitness testimony implicating a British soldier, no prosecutions have been made.
The case gained renewed attention after a Sunday Times investigation uncovered further evidence suggesting that British soldiers stationed in Kenya may have been involved.
However, the MoD's apparent lack of communication or documentation regarding this case, or the wider inquiries, has raised concerns about the transparency of the military's conduct abroad.
The FOI response also comes as a new ITV documentary, The Base: A British Army Scandal, shed light on additional allegations of sexual violence and exploitation committed by British soldiers at the BATUK base.
Related reading: Toxic Banter on Military Forum Over Kenyan Woman's Death Exposes Gross Misogyny in Armed Forces
The documentary included disturbing testimonies from local women, including girls as young as 13, who allege they were sexually assaulted by British troops.
One woman, identified as Eve, recounted being raped by a group of soldiers when she was just 14. Another, Faith, described being gang-raped by six British soldiers earlier this year.
Despite these mounting allegations, the MoD's FOI response suggests that, under the Conservative Government, no formal steps had been taken by the ministry to engage with Kenyan authorities or provide information to assist with the inquiries.
The lack of available records is particularly striking given the high-profile nature of the case and the fact that the Kenyan government has been conducting a public inquiry into human rights abuses and misconduct linked to the BATUK base.
Related reading: Over 2
This revelation comes as serious allegations of rape, murder, and exploitation at the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) continue to emerge, further straining the relationship between local communities and British military personnel. The Army has confirmed it is to launch an inquiry into the behaviour of British troops posted to the base.
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request by Byline Times asked for details of communications between the MoD and the Kenyan Parliament concerning the misconduct allegations, as well as any information provided by the MoD to assist with the Kenyan parliamentary inquiry.
The request also sought clarification on the actions taken or intended by the MoD in response to the testimonies given during public hearings in Kenya.
These testimonies have brought renewed attention to claims of abuse, particularly the unresolved 2012 murder of Kenyan woman Agnes Wanjiru, allegedly by a British soldier.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jN27kX5y3o
In its response, the MoD, through its Kenya Desk Officer from Security Policy Operations, confirmed that after conducting an internal search, it found nothing relevant to the request.
The letter stated that "no information is held in scope of your request," meaning that the MoD does not have any recorded communications or details of actions related to the ongoing Kenyan investigations into misconduct by British soldiers.
This lack of documentation is surprising, given the serious nature of the allegations and the public inquiries taking place in Kenya. Since 2022, Wanjiru's family, along with their legal representatives from the firm Leigh Day, have been pressuring the MoD to properly investigate her death.
Wanjiru, a local woman who was last seen alive drinking with British soldiers, was later found dead in a septic tank near the BATUK base.
Related reading: What Progress? The Ongoing Horrors of Sexual Violence in the British Military
A Kenyan inquest concluded that one or more British soldiers were responsible for her murder, but despite the inquest's findings and eyewitness testimony implicating a British soldier, no prosecutions have been made.
The case gained renewed attention after a Sunday Times investigation uncovered further evidence suggesting that British soldiers stationed in Kenya may have been involved.
However, the MoD's apparent lack of communication or documentation regarding this case, or the wider inquiries, has raised concerns about the transparency of the military's conduct abroad.
The FOI response also comes as a new ITV documentary, The Base: A British Army Scandal, shed light on additional allegations of sexual violence and exploitation committed by British soldiers at the BATUK base.
Related reading: Toxic Banter on Military Forum Over Kenyan Woman's Death Exposes Gross Misogyny in Armed Forces
The documentary included disturbing testimonies from local women, including girls as young as 13, who allege they were sexually assaulted by British troops.
One woman, identified as Eve, recounted being raped by a group of soldiers when she was just 14. Another, Faith, described being gang-raped by six British soldiers earlier this year.
Despite these mounting allegations, the MoD's FOI response suggests that, under the Conservative Government, no formal steps had been taken by the ministry to engage with Kenyan authorities or provide information to assist with the inquiries.
The lack of available records is particularly striking given the high-profile nature of the case and the fact that the Kenyan government has been conducting a public inquiry into human rights abuses and misconduct linked to the BATUK base.
Related reading: Over 2
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