NAIROBI, Kenya — The National Assembly has intensified pressure on senior officials of the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) to personally appear before Parliament and respond to serious allegations of human rights violations, including killings, sexual assault, and environmental damage.
The Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee has warned it will invoke its full constitutional powers if BATUK fails to comply with summonses.
Committee Chairperson Nelson Koech, speaking during a session with Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru, dismissed the Defence Ministry’s opposition to the move, describing the matter as too grave to be handled through diplomatic channels alone.
“BATUK should appear before this committee. There is nothing unprocedural about it,” Koech said. “I don’t see any reason why the Ministry of Defence is becoming a barrier to their appearance.”
The ministry had earlier argued that existing protocols—particularly those under the Inter-Governmental Liaison Committee (IGLC)—do not allow for direct engagement.
However, MPs dismissed that position, insisting Parliament is well within its rights to summon BATUK officers under Kenyan law.
“This inquiry is not within the purview of the IGLC. It is being undertaken by a relevant authority of the Host Nation, in line with domestic law,” Koech said.
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi backed the call, noting the summons were not criminal in nature.
“They are not appearing here as accused persons. They are coming to provide critical information,” he said.
Principal Secretary Mariru denied shielding the British unit, saying the ministry respected Parliament’s authority and was not obstructing the inquiry.
“We cannot, in any way, stop you from executing your constitutional mandate,” he said. “We only believe the IGLC offers a formal mechanism for handling such matters.”
MPs pushed back firmly, stating that oversight of foreign forces on Kenyan soil cannot be outsourced to diplomatic committees.
They cited Articles 5(2) and 6(1) of the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) between Kenya and the United Kingdom, which require visiting forces to adhere to local laws and cooperate fully with domestic authorities.
“This agreement must be honoured, and Parliament must pursue its provisions diligently,” Amisi said.
MP Abdukadir Mohammed challenged the Defence Ministry to disclose whether it had raised the concerns directly with BATUK.
“Have you ever sat down with BATUK to discuss these concerns? What was their response?” he asked.
Koech said the Speaker of the National Assembly has already directed the committee to fast-track the long-running inquiry, which began over a year ago.
He revealed that both the British High Commissioner and the UK Defence Attaché had indicated willingness to appear before the committee.
MP Kwenya Thuku called for transparency. “This is our country. We must protect our people. We want BATUK officials to appear before us on this inquiry.”
The committee has so far conducted public hearings in Laikipia, Samburu, and Isiolo counties and engaged stakeholders including the Kenya Human Rights Commission, Mau Mau Veterans Association, local communities, the police, environmental watchdogs, and wildlife and tax authorities.
The probe is investigating a range of accusations, including unlawful detention, torture, sexual violence, and ecological damage.
It also covers high-profile cases such as the 2012 killing of Agnes Wanjiru, a Kenyan woman last seen with British soldiers before her body was found in a Nanyuki hotel septic tank.
In April this year, UK Defence Secretary John Healey met with her family.
MPs say BATUK must account for its operations, safety protocols, and ethical standards.
