Why Kenya, UK failed to reach deal on BATUK training

This comes after the UK announced on Thursday that the 2026 joint training with the Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) will be held outside Kenya after attempts to secure licenses were unsuccessful.

In a statement on on Sunday, Koech said that the move was prompted by concerns on the legal jurisdiction over British personnel, immunity, and the accountability mechanisms governing the presence of foreign forces on Kenyan soil.

He added that matters linked to the murder of the late Agnes Wanjiru, whose 2012 murder has been linked to British soldiers attached to the BATUK, and the longstanding grievances of affected communities in Nanyuki and Laikipia. 

He said that the committee undertook a two-year inquiry into BATUK's operations in Kenya and tabled its report before the National Assembly in November 2025.

"That report recommended that ratification proceed subject to firm accountability conditions including jurisdiction for Kenyan courts over serious offences committed by visiting troops, binding cooperation with Kenyan criminal investigations and parliamentary inquiries, environmental responsibilities, welfare and child-support obligations, and stronger protection for host communities," he said.

According to him, it was inked under the Treaty Making and Ratification Act, No. 45 of 2012, which gives effect to Article 2(6) of the Constitution.

MP Koech noted that Kenya values that the long partnership with the UK must reflect mutual benefit and respect for Kenyan law, while the standard for upholding the rule of law is non-negotiable.

"Kenya values its long defence partnership with the United Kingdom, which has delivered real benefits in counter-terrorism, interoperability and the building of our defence capacity," he said. 

"But partnership must rest on equality, on respect for Kenyan law, and on genuine accountability. That is the standard the Committee has upheld — transparently, and on the record — and it is the standard we will continue to uphold: for the people of Nanyuki and Laikipia, for the family of the late Agnes Wanjiru, and for the sovereignty of the Republic of Kenya."

The training dubbed "Exercise Haraka Storm" — a six-week combat training program held by the British Army in Kenya — will have to be held in an alternate location outside the country.

It has been conducted in Kenya since 2023 in the Laikipia and Lolldaiga regions by the BATUK and Kenya was expecting the arrival of 1500 British soldiers for training in September 2026.

Koech's sentiments come after Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua alleged that bribery demands led to the cancellation of a planned military training exercise.

However, Gachagua alleged that the disagreement stemmed from a bribery demand made by President William Ruto, through Members of Parliament in the Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations. 

“The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations. The chairman is called Nelson Koech; he is Ruto's man. He told the British, "For us to renew the contract, we want three billion shillings. Keep one billion for yourselves and take two billion to Ruto.” Gachagua alleged. 

The DCP leader went on to claim that the MPs said the money was meant to facilitate President Ruto’s 2027 campaigns.