NAIROBI, Kenya – A British Army inquiry has found that some soldiers in Kenya are still paying for sex despite a 2022 ban aimed at preventing the exploitation of vulnerable women.
The service inquiry examined conduct at the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) in Nanyuki between July 2022 and late 2024.
It identified 35 suspected cases of soldiers engaging sex workers during the period under review.
Of these, 26 incidents occurred before troops were trained on the new rules in November 2022, while nine took place afterwards. Most claims were never proven, according to the report.
The probe, led by two serving officers, a civil servant and an independent adviser, also reviewed how the army enforces Joint Service Publication 769 — a regulation banning British soldiers from paying for sex abroad.
It was ordered in October 2024 following an ITV documentary alleging BATUK soldiers were exploiting Kenyan women.
‘No place’ for sexual exploitation
UK Chief of General Staff Gen Sir Roly Walker condemned the findings, saying the practice fuels abuse and exploitation in local communities.
“The findings of the Service Inquiry I commissioned conclude that transactional sex is still happening in Kenya at a low to moderate level. It should not be happening at all,” he said, according to the BBC.
“There is absolutely no place for sexual exploitation and abuse by people in the British Army. It is at complete odds with what it means to be a British soldier.”
The 2022 ban was part of a wider crackdown on sexual exploitation across the British military.
Since then, BATUK has stepped up training and introduced “sharkwatch” patrols — senior officers monitoring junior soldiers during nights out — to enforce compliance.
The inquiry recommended tougher dismissal rules for offenders and expanded training for all personnel deployed to Kenya.
Ongoing investigations and strained relations
The UK Foreign Office has confirmed fewer than five similar cases are currently under investigation, all of them after the inquiry period.
BATUK has long faced allegations of misconduct in Kenya, including over the 2012 killing of Agnes Wanjiru, allegedly by a British soldier.
Kenyan MPs are also probing wider claims, including rape, civilian injuries and cases of abandoned children fathered by British troops.
On Tuesday, Parliament’s Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee accused BATUK leaders of “disrespecting” the House after they failed to appear for a scheduled hearing on the allegations.
Only Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya and her Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru attended.
