NAIROBI, Kenya- The United Kingdom has explained that the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) is not leaving the country, clarifying that only one planned military training exercise has been moved to an alternative location outside Kenya.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it remains committed to its defence partnership with Kenya and the continued presence of BATUK in the country, following a decision to relocate a planned training exercise that was scheduled to take place in Laikipia later this year.
In a statement, an MoD spokesperson said the UK-Kenya defence partnership remains a key pillar of cooperation between the two countries and that joint training with the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) continues to support security interests for both nations.
“The UK highly values its relationship with Kenya, which is underpinned by mutual benefit, respect and cooperation. The UK-Kenya Defence Partnership is one of the great strengths of our relationship,” the spokesperson said.
The UK said the planned training exercise would not proceed in Kenya after the required licences were not granted.
“It is with regret that the necessary licences required to allow training to take place in Laikipia later this year have not been forthcoming. As a result, the planned training will now be conducted at an alternative location outside Kenya,” the statement added.
However, the ministry stressed that the decision affects only that specific exercise and does not signal an end to BATUK operations in Kenya.
“We remain committed to our defence partnership with Kenya and the continued British Army Training Unit presence in this country,” the spokesperson said.
BATUK, which is based in Laikipia County, has for decades served as a training hub for British troops and works closely with the Kenya Defence Forces through joint exercises and military cooperation.
The UK acknowledged that moving the exercise would affect communities and businesses that had expected economic benefits from the deployment, including suppliers and hospitality operators.
“We recognise the disappointment this decision will cause for those who would have benefited from the economic activity generated by the exercise,” the MoD said.
The ministry noted that all UK military training activities in Kenya depend on approval from the Kenyan government and said discussions would continue with Nairobi to facilitate future exercises.
“All UK training activity in Kenya is dependent on the permission from the Government of Kenya. We will continue to engage closely with the Kenyan Government to support the resumption of training in-country at the earliest appropriate opportunity,” the statement said.