The United Kingdom has announced that the joint military exercise HARAKA STORM will resume in Kenya later this year, following the resolution of previous licensing challenges.

A UK government spokesperson confirmed that the Kenyan authorities have granted the necessary permits, allowing the exercise to proceed as originally scheduled from September to November 2026.

"We can confirm that the Kenyan Government has agreed to issue the necessary licences and permissions for Exercise HARAKA STORM to take place in Kenya later this year," the spokesperson said. "We value the close cooperation and shared commitment between the UK and Kenya which have enabled this progress."

Despite earlier uncertainty which had led to the exercise's cancellation announcement, detailed planning by the British Army ensured the training timeline remained intact. The spokesperson added, "Following detailed work by the Army, we believe it is possible to deliver the training in Kenya over the same time period as previously planned."

Enduring Defence Partnership

The British government reiterated its dedication to the longstanding defence partnership with Kenya. This collaboration includes regular joint training exercises conducted by the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) based near Laikipia Air Base and ongoing community outreach initiatives.

Following the initial cancellation announcement, Kenya's Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary clarified that the broader BATUK arrangement remains active. The Kenya-UK Defence Cooperation Agreement is currently undergoing parliamentary approval, with Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi confirming its review by the National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations.

The Kenyan government emphasized continued commitment to resolving outstanding matters through diplomatic and institutional channels while maintaining a partnership that supports military cooperation, regional security, and economic benefits for local communities.

Background

  • Exercise HARAKA STORM is a joint military training scheduled between September and November 2026 in Laikipia, Kenya.
  • The exercise was initially cancelled due to licensing issues from the Kenyan government.
  • BATUK regularly conducts training with the Kenya Defence Forces and supports community programs including medical camps and environmental conservation.