Questions surrounding the cancellation of a planned joint military exercise between the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) have continued to draw attention, with National Assembly Defence, Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Committee Chairperson Nelson Koech dismissing speculation over the decision.
He said the exercise was postponed because of unresolved legal issues concerning the operations of British troops in Kenya, not for the reasons alleged by political leaders.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Koech explained that discussions centred on the legal status of British personnel, including questions of immunity, accountability and whether Kenyan courts should have jurisdiction over serious offences involving visiting troops.
He added that concerns arising from the 2012 killing of Agnes Wanjiru, which has been linked to British soldiers attached to BATUK, as well as complaints from communities in Nanyuki and Laikipia, also informed the review.
Koech noted that the parliamentary committee spent two years examining BATUK’s activities before presenting its report to the National Assembly in November 2025.
According to him, the report recommended approval of the agreement only after several accountability measures were addressed.
“That report recommended that ratification proceed subject to firm accountability conditions including jurisdiction for Kenyan courts over serious offences committed by visiting troops, binding cooperation with Kenyan criminal investigations and parliamentary inquiries, environmental responsibilities, welfare and child-support obligations, and stronger protection for host communities,” he said.
He further stated that the agreement falls under the Treaty Making and Ratification Act, No. 45 of 2012, which implements Article 2(6) of the Constitution. Koech maintained that while Kenya values its long-standing defence partnership with the United Kingdom, respect for the country’s laws must remain a key principle.
“Kenya values its long defence partnership with the United Kingdom, which has delivered real benefits in counter-terrorism, interoperability and the building of our defence capacity,” he said.
“But partnership must rest on equality, on respect for Kenyan law, and on genuine accountability. That is the standard the Committee has upheld — transparently, and on the record — and it is the standard we will continue to uphold: for the people of Nanyuki and Laikipia, for the family of the late Agnes Wanjiru, and for the sovereignty of the Republic of Kenya,”he added.
The six-week military exercise, known as Exercise Haraka Storm, has been held in Kenya since 2023 and was expected to bring about 1,500 British soldiers to Laikipia and Lolldaiga for training in September this year.
However, British authorities announced that the 2026 programme would instead take place outside Kenya after licensing efforts failed.
The clarification came after Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua claimed the exercise was cancelled because of alleged bribery demands involving the parliamentary committee.
Gachagua alleged that President William Ruto, through committee members, sought KSh3 billion in exchange for renewing the agreement.
“The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations. The chairman is called Nelson Koech; he is Ruto’s man. He told the British, “For us to renew the contract, we want three billion shillings. Keep one billion for yourselves and take two billion to Ruto.”
He further claimed the funds were intended to support the President’s 2027 re-election campaign.
