Families affected by the activities of the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) have renewed calls for justice, compensation and accountability ahead of the expected renewal of the Defence Cooperation Agreement between Kenya and the United Kingdom.

The demands were made during a strategic community meeting held recently in Nanyuki, Laikipia County, Kenya, where residents, survivors, families and human rights defenders announced plans to pursue a parliamentary petition, establish a memorial monument and launch a digital legal-support platform to seek redress for alleged abuses linked to British soldiers stationed in the region.

The gathering brought together families who said they have suffered harm connected to BATUK’s long-standing presence in the area, including alleged cases of sexual abuse, child abandonment, environmental damage and unresolved justice claims.

 Among those in attendance were human rights defender, Bob Njagi; lawyer, Kevin Kubai; economist and political activist Boniface Mirikwa; Communist Party Marxist–Kenya General Secretary, Booker Omole; Njeri Migwi and Esther Njoki, niece of Agnes Wanjiru, whose death 14 years ago remains one of the most prominent cases associated with calls for accountability involving British soldiers in Kenya.

The meeting comes as scrutiny grows over the planned renewal of the bilateral defence agreement, with participants expressing concern that the pact could be extended without adequate public consultation or meaningful redress for affected families.

 Several women shared testimonies alleging abuse and abandonment by British soldiers operating in Laikipia County.
The testimonies form part of wider allegations that have followed BATUK for years in Laikipia and Samburu counties. Concerns have included claims of sexual abuse, child abandonment, environmental damage and unresolved criminal cases.

One of the most prominent cases remains the death of Agnes Wanjiru in 2012 at the Lions Court Hotel in Nanyuki. Although a British soldier has been linked to the case, her family continues to seek accountability and justice.
In December 2025, Kenya’s National Assembly Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations released a 94-page report documenting cases of sexual abuse, assault and child abandonment involving BATUK personnel. The report found that many complaints dating back to the early 2000s had been dropped, mishandled or left unresolved.

The committee criticised BATUK officers for declining to appear before lawmakers, citing diplomatic immunity, and recommended amendments to the defence cooperation agreement to allow Kenyan courts jurisdiction over serious offences committed by foreign soldiers, including sexual abuse and murder.

Speaking at the meeting, Esther Njoki questioned the decision to move forward with the renewal process while her aunt’s case remains unresolved.

“In 2021, Kenyan authorities said they would not renew the contract until Agnes’ case had been solved. It has not been solved. Why are you renewing this contract?” she asked.

Njoki also highlighted the impact of the case on Agnes Wanjiru’s daughter.

“There’s a child who was five months old when Agnes was killed, and now she’s turning 15. When this man gets away with it, who did you expect to raise this child? That one we are not negotiating. Compensation, it’s a must,” she said.

 Lawyer Kevin Kubai said the concerns raised by affected families extend beyond individual cases and touch on broader issues of sovereignty and accountability.

 “To date, I have obtained more than 25 declarations of parentage from a British court declaring that these soldiers were the legal fathers of children abandoned here in Nanyuki. These fathers are not willing to take up responsibility. We are calling for the quick expedition of justice and full compensation for these victims. But more importantly, we are talking about the sovereignty of the Kenyan people. Article One of our Constitution states that all sovereign power is vested in the people,” Kubai said.

 He added that difficulties in securing witness testimony and inadequate attention from authorities continue to hamper efforts to obtain justice for victims.

 “These violations need to stop. The solution is that simple. Take people to court and let them be charged. Delivery of justice is the best way of handling cases where no one is punished,” he said.

 Human rights defender Bob Njagi called on both governments to place affected communities at the centre of any future agreement.

 “We demand that both the Kenyan and UK governments prioritise the rights of local citizens. We want swift legal remedies and comprehensive restitution for all impacted local families who have suffered as a result of BATUK’s activities,” Njagi said.

 Booker Omole linked the concerns raised by residents to broader historical grievances in Laikipia County.
 “There have been historical injustices here in Laikipia, beginning with land. Over 50 percent of this county is in the hands of what we call the remnants of colonialism. The time has come for us, as Kenyans, to say no to the neocolonialism being perpetuated on our people,” he said.

 At the conclusion of the meeting, participants agreed on three key actions. They will pursue a formal parliamentary petition addressed to the Kenyan Parliament, relevant state agencies, BATUK leadership and the British Ministry of Defence, calling for structural reforms to the Defence Cooperation Agreement or the removal of BATUK from Kenyan territory if community concerns remain unresolved.

 They also resolved to establish a memorial monument in honour of individuals and families who say they have suffered harm linked to the presence of British soldiers in the region.

 In addition, the group plans to launch a digital legal-support platform to help affected families document claims, access legal assistance and pursue remedies through national and international legal channels.

 BATUK has operated in the region for decades and contributes to the local economy through employment, procurement and community projects, including the construction of classrooms, drilling of boreholes, medical outreach programmes and environmental initiatives.