UK denies BATUK snubbed MPs, says no formal invitation received

“Neither the British High Commission, UK Ministry of Defence, nor the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) has received a formal invitation to appear before Kenya’s Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee,” a spokesperson said on Wednesday.

“We continue to discuss with the Government of Kenya and the DIFRC how best to provide information in support of the inquiry.”

This follows remarks by the committee’s chair, Nelson Koech, who on Tuesday criticised BATUK for failing to show up for a scheduled session over alleged atrocities committed by British soldiers.

“There are children born out of illegal relationships with British soldiers,” Koech told lawmakers.

“This House was reluctant to pass the Defence Cooperation Agreement, so in the eyes of this committee, BATUK are hostile witnesses.”

He further warned that Parliament could “have them arrested and compelled to appear before it, or impose a fine” if they failed to cooperate.

The British High Commission, however, underscored the importance of the bilateral defence arrangement, stating: “The UK-Kenya defence partnership is one of the great strengths of our relationship and our joint training and collaboration with the Kenyan Defence Forces are keeping both Kenyan and British people safe.”

The committee is investigating a series of allegations against BATUK, including corruption, abuse of power, and the 2012 killing of Agnes Wanjiru, whose body was found in a hotel septic tank in Nanyuki two months after she disappeared.