The Kenyan government has announced that it will resume joint military training exercises with the United Kingdom at the British Army Training Unit Kenya, known as BATUK, located in Nanyuki.
This announcement came through Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on Tuesday, July 28, after a period of uncertainty surrounding the continuation of the exercises.
The decision to move forward with the training marks an important step in the long-standing defence partnership between Kenya and the UK.
According to Mudavadi, who also serves as Prime Cabinet Secretary, the two nations have demonstrated their ability to resolve challenges through dialogue while keeping their strategic partnership strong.
He explained that the partnership continues to serve Kenya's national interests by strengthening the capabilities of the Kenya Defence Forces, contributing to peace and security in the region, creating jobs for Kenyans, and bringing economic benefits to the communities that host these military activities.
However, the road to resuming the exercises has not been smooth. Earlier, there had been concerns about whether the 2026 edition of Exercise Haraka Storm, which is a six-week combat training programme involving both British and Kenyan troops, would continue.
When efforts to secure the necessary licences to hold the training in Kenya proved unsuccessful, the UK had indicated that the exercise would be held outside Kenya instead.
This development sparked speculation that political interference and demands for bribes had contributed to the delays.
The licensing concerns were rooted in deeper issues. Nelson Koech, who chairs the National Assembly Defence, Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Committee, explained that the delays were not due to political interference or bribery as some had alleged.
Instead, he said the hold-up came from serious concerns about the legal framework that governs how British troops operate in Kenya.
These concerns touched on matters of legal jurisdiction, immunity, and accountability for any actions British soldiers might take while in the country.
These worries are not new. The committee cited unresolved concerns surrounding the 2012 murder of Agnes Wanjiru, a Kenyan woman whose death has been linked to British soldiers stationed at BATUK.
The case has remained a painful reminder for residents of Nanyuki and Laikipia, who have also raised other complaints about BATUK's operations in their region.
Recognising the importance of addressing these concerns, the committee had conducted a two-year investigation into BATUK's activities and presented its findings to the National Assembly in November 2025.
The inquiry produced several important recommendations aimed at protecting Kenya's sovereignty and the rights of its citizens.
These recommendations include requirements that Kenyan courts have the authority to prosecute serious crimes committed by visiting foreign troops, that there be mandatory cooperation between British military personnel and Kenyan criminal investigations, and that parliamentary inquiries be allowed access to information.
The committee also recommended that British forces be held responsible for environmental damage, welfare matters, and child support obligations, and that stronger protections be put in place for the communities living near military training sites.
Koech made it clear that while Kenya appreciates the UK's support in counter-terrorism efforts and building military capacity, any defence partnership must be based on principles of equality, accountability, and respect for Kenyan law.
He stated this position firmly, saying it is the standard that the committee has upheld and will continue to uphold for the people of Nanyuki and Laikipia, for the family of the late Agnes Wanjiru, and for the sovereignty of the Republic of Kenya.
With the announcement of the resumption of training exercises, Kenya has signalled its commitment to deepening defence cooperation with the UK while ensuring that the partnership operates within a framework that protects its citizens and upholds the rule of law.
The path forward appears to rest on the implementation of these safeguards and the willingness of both nations to work together transparently and with genuine accountability.
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