UK reinstates cancelled September BATUK military training in Kenya

The government of the United Kingdom has reinstated a cancelled military training set for September in Laikipia, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has confirmed.

The training at the British Army Training Unit of Kenya (BATUK) centre in Laikipia was initially cancelled on Thursday, July 23, after the government of Kenya and the UK failed to agree on conditions for the renewal of licenses.

“The Government of Kenya welcomes the decision for the planned military training exercise at the British Army Training Unit Kenya to proceed,”  Mudavadi said in a statement.

He added, “This outcome reflects the strength of the longstanding partnership between Kenya and the United Kingdom, built over decades on mutual respect, constructive engagement and a shared commitment to peace and security.”

This means that the exercise, dubbed Exercise HARAKA STORM, a six-week combat training program, is set to proceed as planned from September to November.

Earlier planning ensured the exercise remained on track despite the interruptions experienced the previous week.

“As a result, and following detailed work by the Army, we believe that it is possible to deliver the training in Kenya over the same time period as previously planned. Exercise HARAKA STORM will now take place later this year,” the U.K. government stated.

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In this regard, Musalia Mudavadi reiterated that the move is mainly focused on delivering long-lasting benefits between the two countries.

“As we look ahead, Kenya remains committed to working closely with the United Kingdom to deepen our longstanding defence cooperation and advance our shared commitment to peace, security and regional stability,” Mudavadi stated.

The sudden announcement of the halting of Exercise HARAKA STORM did not come without controversy, as the Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua accused the Senate Majority leader Aaron Cheruiyot and other senior people within the Ministry of Defense of demanding a Ksh3 billion bribe, thus leading to the halting of the exercise, and possible relocation to Tanzania.

According to Gachagua, the British delegation was taken aback by the alleged demand and asked what work or service the Ksh3 billion payment was intended to cover, claiming that the negotiations dragged on for close to eight months, with the committee allegedly pushing for the payment throughout that period.

Despite the human rights violations that BATUK has faced, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates that this move is meant to reinforce Kenya’s national interests, with it strengthening the capabilities of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), bringing regional security and also jobs, especially to the communities in Laikipia County.

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