UK responds to uniform misuse as questions linger over teen's death during Nanyuki protests

The death of a 17-year-old boy during anti-Ebola facility protests in Nanyuki has sparked fresh debate after the British High Commission sought clarification from the Kenyan government over the alleged misuse of a British military uniform by a police officer.

Sylvester Muigai Ndung'u was killed during demonstrations on June 9 that turned violent as police clashed with protesters opposed to a proposed Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base.

Witnesses claimed the teenager was shot in the head during the confrontations. However, police have maintained that the cause of death will be established through a post-mortem examination, with local authorities confirming that investigations remain ongoing.

The protests were triggered by opposition to a planned 50-bed Ebola treatment and quarantine centre linked to the United States government.

The facility was intended to receive American citizens affected by the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Residents raised concerns over the potential public health risks of hosting the facility and questioned the transparency of the approval process.

A court last month suspended the opening of the centre following a petition filed by local residents, although reports indicate that construction has continued. President William Ruto has defended the project, arguing that halting it would be "inhuman."

The controversy widened after photographs emerged showing police officers wearing uniforms resembling those used by the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK), which is based in Nanyuki.

In response, the British High Commission said no BATUK personnel had participated in the protests or been authorised to undertake domestic policing duties.

The Commission stated that the uniform appeared to have been "misappropriated" and clarified that the officer captured in the images was not a British soldier.

The UK mission subsequently sought clarification from Kenyan authorities and requested an apology over the unauthorised use of attire associated with the British military.

The swift response from the British government has attracted criticism from some commentators and human rights advocates, who argue that greater urgency has been directed toward addressing the misuse of a military uniform than establishing the circumstances surrounding the teenager's death.

Critics contend that while questions about the uniform prompted an immediate diplomatic response, investigations into Ndung'u's death have yet to yield public findings.

The incident has also renewed scrutiny of foreign military presence in Kenya and the oversight of security operations during public demonstrations.

The Kenya Human Rights Commission has accused police of using excessive force during the protests, including the use of live ammunition and arbitrary arrests. Authorities have not publicly responded to the allegations, citing ongoing investigations.

As inquiries continue, questions remain over both the origin of the military uniform worn by the officer and the circumstances that led to Ndung'u's death during the demonstrations.