Kenya, UK to resume joint KDF-BATUK military training after licence stalemate

The government has announced the resumption of a joint military training with the United Kingdom at the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) in Nanyuki, days after uncertainty over the cancellation of the exercise. 

In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 28, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi explained that the development highlighted the long-standing relationship between the two nations founded on mutual respect and constructive engagement. 

According to Mudavadi, who also doubles as the Prime Cabinet Secretary, the decision demonstrates that the two countries are able to resolve challenges through dialogue while maintaining their strategic partnership.

"The Kenya-United Kingdom defence partnership continues to advance Kenya's national interests. It strengthens the capabilities of the Kenya Defence Forces, contributes to regional peace and security, supports Kenyan jobs and businesses, and provides significant economic benefits to the communities that host these activities," he stated. 

Mudavadi added that Kenya remains committed to deepening defence cooperation with the UK and advancing shared efforts towards regional peace, security and stability.

The announcement comes just days after the United Kingdom indicated that the 2026 edition of 'Exercise Haraka Storm,' a six-week combat training programme involving British and Kenyan troops, would be held outside Kenya after efforts to secure the necessary licences were unsuccessful.

The development had sparked speculation over the future of the military partnership, with allegations emerging that political interference and bribery demands had contributed to the delay.

However, National Assembly Defence, Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Committee Chairperson Nelson Koech dismissed the claims, citing that the licensing delay was attributed to concerns over the legal framework governing British troops operating in Kenya, including issues of legal jurisdiction, immunity and accountability.

He noted that the committee had conducted a two-year inquiry into BATUK's operations and tabled its report before the National Assembly in November 2025.

Among the recommendations were provisions requiring Kenyan courts to have jurisdiction over serious offences committed by visiting troops, mandatory cooperation with Kenyan criminal investigations and parliamentary inquiries, environmental responsibilities, welfare and child-support obligations, and stronger protections for communities hosting the military exercises.

The committee also cited unresolved concerns surrounding the 2012 murder of Agnes Wanjiru, which has been linked to British soldiers stationed at BATUK, as well as longstanding grievances raised by residents of Nanyuki and Laikipia over the unit's operations.

Koech maintained that while Kenya values its defence partnership with the UK because of its contributions to counter-terrorism efforts and military capacity building, the relationship must be anchored on equality, accountability and respect for Kenyan law.

"But partnership must rest on equality, on respect for Kenyan law, and on genuine accountability. That is the standard the Committee has upheld, transparently, and on the record, and it is the standard we 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," Koech stated in a statement on July 26, 2026.