Sunday, July 26, 2026 - Leaders from Laikipia County have issued fresh demands to the British government, calling for the unconditional renewal of the Kenya‑UK Defence Cooperation Agreement to secure the continued presence of the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK).
Speaking at a public empowerment forum on Saturday, July 25, MPs Sarah Korere (Laikipia North), Mwangi Kiunjuri (Laikipia East), and Woman Representative Jane Kagiri insisted that the deal must be signed without new conditions.
They argued that BATUK’s operations should deliver tangible
benefits to local communities, including expanded employment opportunities,
stronger corporate social responsibility programmes, and closer engagement with
residents.
“I want to tell BATUK this. We as leaders from Laikipia agreed that for BATUK to continue their operations in the area, they should employ our people from this region rather than employing foreigners,” Kagiri said.
Kiunjuri added: “If you want to sign the agreement, you have
to sign it the way it is. You cannot give conditions in other people’s land.”
The leaders dismissed claims of opposition to BATUK, instead accusing the UK of delaying the process
by failing to sign a revised agreement that prioritises local interests.
They also demanded that British soldiers accused of offences
in Kenya face prosecution in Kenyan courts.
Their remarks followed reports that a planned British military exercise in Laikipia was cancelled due to delays in securing government licences.
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed part of the training
would be relocated abroad, citing lack of approvals.
Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, rejected speculation that the defence partnership had ended.
“The Government therefore discounts claims suggesting that
the defence partnership between Kenya and the United Kingdom has been
terminated or that the BATUK arrangement has come to an end,” a statement
signed by Director of Press Services Jacob Ng’etich read.
The Kenyan DAILY POST.
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