The British High Commission has dismissed reports that senior officials from the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) ignored a parliamentary summons, clarifying that no formal request was ever issued.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the High Commission spokesperson said, “Neither the British High Commission, the UK Ministry of Defence, nor BATUK has received an official invitation to appear before the Kenya National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations.”
The response comes amid claims that British officials had snubbed the committee’s summons.
The spokesperson stated that discussions with Kenyan authorities were still underway to determine the best way to assist in the investigation.
“We remain engaged with the Government of Kenya and the DIFRC on how to effectively share information to support the inquiry,” the statement said.
This clarification followed accusations by Belgut MP Nelson Koech, chairperson of the committee, who claimed that BATUK officials skipped a scheduled hearing on Tuesday, August 12, regarding alleged crimes involving British soldiers.
“There are children born from unlawful relationships with British soldiers. This House hesitated to approve the Defence Cooperation Agreement, and in this committee’s view, BATUK officials are acting as hostile witnesses,” Koech told lawmakers.
He warned that Parliament could enforce their attendance if they continued to avoid the sessions.
“We have the authority to order their arrest, compel their appearance, or impose fines,” he said.
Only Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya attended the Tuesday session, with BATUK representatives absent. Koech stated that the unit would be given another chance to appear.
In its statement, the British High Commission underscored the importance of the two nations’ defence ties.
“The UK-Kenya defence partnership is a cornerstone of our relationship. Our joint training and cooperation with the Kenyan Defence Forces enhance security for both Kenyan and British citizens,” the spokesperson said.
The committee is investigating multiple allegations against BATUK, including corruption, abuse of power, and serious human rights violations.
One prominent case under review is the 2012 murder of Agnes Wanjiru, whose body was discovered in a Nanyuki hotel septic tank two months after she went missing. Witnesses reported seeing her with British soldiers before her death. Although an inquest named suspects, no prosecutions have occurred over a decade later.
Recent allegations, exposed in an ITV documentary, accuse BATUK soldiers of sexual abuse, including the rape of girls as young as 13, and paying for sex. Victims have also testified before Parliament, detailing physical harm and abandonment.
One woman, left permanently disabled after being struck by a BATUK vehicle, said her medical expenses were initially covered but that compensation efforts later stalled.
