From Al Jazeera · Jaclynn Ashly · · 2m
Britain’s military in Kenya: Allegations, immunity and a fight for justice
Kenyan survivors challenge UK military immunity after decades of abuse claims.
In brief
Kenyan survivors challenge UK military immunity after decades of abuse claims. Kenyan survivors seek accountability for alleged BATUK abuses as courts challenge UK sovereign immunity. Originally reported by Al Jazeera.
Noldonyo Piro's story
Noldonyo Piro says a soldier broke her arm and raped her the same day her sister Mantoi Lekoloi Kaunda was killed, an assault for which no one has ever been charged.
“Noldonyo Piro says a soldier broke her arm and raped her the same day her sister Mantoi Lekoloi Kaunda was killed, an assault for which no one has ever been charged”
Mantoi's case
Mantoi Lekoloi Kaunda was killed in 1990s after being attacked by a British soldier; her body was buried and later exhumed.
“Mantoi Lekoloi Kaunda was killed in 1990s after being attacked by a British soldier; her body was buried and later exhumed”
BATUK's history
British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) has trained 10,000 Kenyan soldiers annually since 1964 under a defence agreement.
“British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) has trained 10,000 Kenyan soldiers annually since 1964 under a defence agreement”
Sovereign immunity
The UK has used sovereign immunity to avoid prosecution in Kenyan courts for decades.
“The UK has used sovereign immunity to avoid prosecution in Kenyan courts for decades”
Operation Tasker
Operation Tasker investigated 2,000 rape allegations from 1977-2004 but found no reliable evidence to prosecute.
“Operation Tasker investigated 2,000 rape allegations from 1977-2004 but found no reliable evidence to prosecute”
Kelvin Kubai's case
Kelvin Kubai, a 29-year-old Kenyan lawyer, is preparing four cases against BATUK including Mantoi's case.
“Kelvin Kubai, a 29-year-old Kenyan lawyer, is preparing four cases against BATUK including Mantoi's case”
Lolldaiga fire
A 2021 fire at BATUK training grounds burned 12,000 acres and killed livestock, prompting a Kenyan lawsuit.
“A 2021 fire at BATUK training grounds burned 12,000 acres and killed livestock, prompting a Kenyan lawsuit”
Sovereign immunity ruling
A Kenyan court ruled in 2022 that the UK waived sovereign immunity for BATUK crimes in Kenya.
“A Kenyan court ruled in 2022 that the UK waived sovereign immunity for BATUK crimes in Kenya”
Chaula's injury
Chaula Lochede lost her leg in 2019 after being hit by a speeding BATUK vehicle; no compensation was paid.
“Chaula Lochede lost her leg in 2019 after being hit by a speeding BATUK vehicle; no compensation was paid”
Robert Swara Seurei's death
Robert Swara Seurei, a 28-year-old BATUK worker, died in 2007 after mistaking an explosive for a candle.
“Robert Swara Seurei, a 28-year-old BATUK worker, died in 2007 after mistaking an explosive for a candle”
Charles Ngare's injury
Charles Ngare suffered a leg injury in 2010 while helping BATUK free a stuck vehicle; his claim was dismissed as time-barred.
“Charles Ngare suffered a leg injury in 2010 while helping BATUK free a stuck vehicle; his claim was dismissed as time-barred”
Parliamentary report
Kenya's parliamentary committee documented decades of BATUK abuses including unexploded ordnance and sexual violence.
“Kenya's parliamentary committee documented decades of BATUK abuses including unexploded ordnance and sexual violence”
Compensation disparity
The UK paid $530 per claimant for the Lolldaiga fire but $6,800 for farm animal deaths in Cyprus.
“The UK paid $530 per claimant for the Lolldaiga fire but $6,800 for farm animal deaths in Cyprus”
Legal battle
Kenya demands murder be added to crimes under Kenyan jurisdiction but the UK refuses to accept the condition.
“Kenya demands murder be added to crimes under Kenyan jurisdiction but the UK refuses to accept the condition”
Public pressure
Survivors and families marched to Kenya's Parliament in August 2024 demanding accountability for BATUK abuses.
“Survivors and families marched to Kenya's Parliament in August 2024 demanding accountability for BATUK abuses”
Kubai's vision
Kelvin Kubai wants a permanent claims office in Nanyuki funded by the DCA to help victims seek justice.
“Kelvin Kubai wants a permanent claims office in Nanyuki funded by the DCA to help victims seek justice”
The one thing
Kenyan survivors seek accountability for alleged BATUK abuses as courts challenge UK sovereign immunity.
