NAIROBI, Kenya- The British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) has begun preparations for Exercise Haraka Storm, days after the Kenyan government renewed its operating licences, allowing joint military training to resume.
In a statement issued on August 5, BATUK said personnel from the British Army’s 21 Field Squadron and 33 Engineer Regiment, working alongside the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) 10th Engineer Regiment, had completed a four-week unexploded ordnance clearance operation in Archer’s Post Training Area in Samburu County.
The exercise, conducted under Exercise Range Sweep 2026, involved locating and safely disposing of unexploded ordnance left behind after live-fire military training.
“After four weeks of Exercise RANGE SWEEP in Archer’s Post Training Area, we are all set for Exercise Haraka Storm,” BATUK said.
Clearing Training Grounds
BATUK said the joint operation focused on removing explosive hazards from military impact zones used by the KDF, BATUK and partner forces to improve safety for both military personnel and surrounding communities.
The clearance exercise forms part of the annual Exercise Range Sweep, which is conducted after live-fire exercises in gazetted training areas across Samburu County.
In addition to explosive ordnance disposal, soldiers conducted safety awareness campaigns in 24 schools, educating learners and local communities on how to identify suspicious objects and report them safely.
The operation also marked the final preparatory phase before Exercise Haraka Storm, which is scheduled to run between September and November.
Licence Dispute
Preparations for the joint exercise resume after weeks of uncertainty over BATUK’s operating licences.
On July 23, the UK Ministry of Defence announced that it would temporarily shift some planned military exercises from Kenya to Tanzania following delays in the renewal of BATUK’s permits.
The dispute attracted political attention after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua alleged that members of the National Assembly Defence Committee (NADC) had demanded a Sh3 billion bribe in connection with the licence renewal process—claims that have not been substantiated.
The licensing standoff also reignited debate over legal jurisdiction involving British soldiers, accountability for alleged misconduct by visiting troops, and longstanding concerns raised by communities in Laikipia and Samburu over past incidents linked to BATUK operations.
Lawmakers had also sought stricter provisions under the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) before approving the continuation of British military activities.
Training to Continue
Following diplomatic engagements between Kenya and the United Kingdom, the government renewed BATUK’s operating licences on July 28, allowing the British Army’s autumn training programme to proceed.
However, both the government and community leaders in Laikipia and Samburu have maintained that future military exercises must address community concerns, strengthen accountability mechanisms and comply with parliamentary oversight requirements.
Exercise Haraka Storm is expected to bring together British and Kenyan military personnel for joint engineering and operational training aimed at enhancing interoperability and strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries.
