British soldier killed off duty in Kenya

A British soldier died in Kenya after he was attacked while off duty.

Maj Kevin McCool, 32, was killed on November 29, according to the UK’s Ministry of Defence.

The ministry did not release the circumstances surrounding McCool’s death, only saying he “tragically died while off-duty” in a statement issued Friday.

But British media reported that he was on a motorcycle trip off base when he was attacked.

Sky News quoted the soldier’s father as saying that McCool took a bike trip away from the base, preparing for the end of his tour of duty just three days away.

"He decided to go out on his scrambler motorbike for one last ride up a local mountain. He went up a road and two guys jumped out at him with a gun,” the father identified as Joseph told the broadcaster.

"It seems that he thought the gun was a dummy, he didn't think it was real. He made the mistaken assumption that the gun was artificial, and they shot him."

According to the Ministry of Defence, McCool was commissioned from Sandhurst in August 2014 and was deployed in Europe, the Middle East, the Falklands and Africa.

The ministry described him as a "big family man" who was fun to work with.

"As well as a glittering operational record, he also aced many of the military's hardest courses," read an eulogy, "His fitness was legendary, once beating the whole Battalion on a two miler, as was his endurance. His enthusiasm was infectious.”

"He had a mischievous twinkle in his eye, that made him tremendous fun to be with. Yet his professionalism and sense of purpose was paramount and clear to all those lucky enough to serve with him."

The British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK) has its main camp in Nanyuki, Laikipia County. It also has a small base in Nairobi.

BATUK consists of around 100 permanent staff and a reinforcing short-tour cohort of another 280 personnel, according to the British Army website.

Under an agreement with the Kenyan government, up to six infantry battalions per year carry out eight-week exercises in the country.

The army also trains Kenyan troops to combat terrorism in the region.