# Britain’s military in Kenya: Allegations, immunity and a fight for justice > Kenyan survivors challenge UK military immunity after decades of abuse claims. - Title: Britain’s military in Kenya: Allegations, immunity and a… - Summary: Kenyan survivors challenge UK military immunity after decades of abuse claims. Kenyan survivors seek accountability for alleged BATUK abuses as courts… - Keywords: kenya, batuk, british army, sovereign immunity, military abuse, legal accountability, samburu, lolldaiga, nanyuki, unexploded ordnance, human rights, compensation - Source: Al Jazeera — https://aljazeera.com/features/longform/2026/10/3/britains-military-in-kenya-allegations-immunity-and-a-fight-for-justice?traffic_source=rss - Author: Jaclynn Ashly - Read time: 2 min - Topics: kenya, batuk, british army, sovereign immunity, military abuse, legal accountability, samburu, lolldaiga, nanyuki, unexploded ordnance, human rights, compensation ## 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 ## Key takeaway Kenyan survivors seek accountability for alleged BATUK abuses as courts challenge UK sovereign immunity.