On August 2, residents from Nanyuki and Nairobi demonstrated against the Kenyan government's plan to renew the military cooperation agreement with the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK).
Protesters highlighted longstanding grievances, including the 2019 killing of Agnes Wanjiru, environmental damage from the Lolldaiga fire, and reports of children abandoned by BATUK soldiers. They also condemned the legal immunity granted to British personnel, which they say has prevented justice for victims.
Key Demands from Protesters
- Full disclosure of the terms of the BATUK agreement
- Removal of legal immunity for British soldiers operating in Kenya
- Support and justice for victims of abuses linked to BATUK
- Renegotiation of the defence pact on Kenyan terms
The Nairobi march, conducted under the slogan "Not Yet Uhuru," emphasized that, decades after independence, accountability from former colonial powers remains unresolved. Specific cases cited included Robert Purkiss, a former British soldier contesting extradition to Kenya in connection with the Wanjiru case.
Context and Parliamentary Findings
The protests come amid stalled ratification of a Defence Cooperation Agreement signed in 2021. The parliamentary Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations has documented serious concerns about BATUK's impact, describing the unit as increasingly viewed as an occupying force. Their report highlighted issues such as sexual abuse, killings, and environmental harm, noting that murder is not explicitly excluded from legal immunity provisions, thereby hindering prosecution efforts.
Residents and civil society continue to call for transparency, justice, and respect for Kenyan sovereignty in military partnerships.
