Kenya’s parliamentary inquiry on Tuesday accused British soldiers of perpetrating decades of sexual misconduct, violence, human rights violations, and environmental harm during their tenure in the country. These accusations emerged in the wake of a two-year inquiry by the parliamentary Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations, which culminated in a 94-page report detailing alleged assaults, maimings, fatal traffic accidents, and other forms of misconduct. 

Drawing on testimony from communities in the Laikipia and Samburu counties, near the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (‘Batuk’) bases, the report highlighted rising frustrations among locals over the conduct of soldiers training at the Batuk bases. The committee, in its report, stated that the Batuk is increasingly viewed as “an occupying presence rather than a development partner,” with residents drawing parallels to colonial-era injustices following the observation of a “disturbing pattern” of sexual misconduct, violence, and harm. 

Among the incidents of violence highlighted in the report is the 2012 murder of 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru, whose body was discovered in a septic tank in Nanyuki, a town in central Kenya, which hosts Batuk’s headquarters and barracks. The suspect, a British soldier named Robert Purkiss, was arrested in the UK last month following years of appeals by Wanjiru’s family and local Kenyan rights groups, calling for his apprehension. 

Purkiss maintains his innocence and has denied any involvement in Wanjiru’s 2012 death. He now faces extradition to Kenya. 

The committee’s report further highlighted incidents of sexual misconduct by Batuk personnel, including rape, assault, and the abandonment of children fathered by soldiers. Moreover, evidence of injuries to and deaths of Kenyan locals employed by the British forces due to negligent safety practices, as well as environmental damage caused by the illegal dumping of toxic materials, was formally recorded in the report, underscoring the gravity of the allegations.

The UK High Commission in Kenya expressed its sincere regret that its input is now reflected in the report and has affirmed its willingness to investigate the allegations extensively under UK jurisdiction once evidence is made available. 

“Kenya remains one of the UK’s most important security partners in Africa,” a representative for the UK government stated. He continued: “The UK is committed to fully cooperating with both the DIFRC and Kenyan authorities to resolve outstanding concerns … and further strengthen the defence relationship between the UK and Kenya to protect our nationals, stabilise the region, and ensure a more secure future for all.”

As Kenya and the United Kingdom move into what is likely to be a protracted period of investigation, negotiation, and potential litigation, the case is poised to become a touchstone for how host states engage powerful military partners over alleged historic and ongoing abuses. How Kenyan authorities and their British counterparts respond in the coming months will not only determine whether families such as Agnes Wanjiru’s see any form of justice, but may also shape emerging regional and international norms on the responsibility of states for the conduct of their troops abroad.