- Hundreds of women in Laikipia, raising children reportedly fathered by British soldiers, are demanding accountability as they share their painful experiences
- The family of the late Agnes Wanjiru continues to seek justice 14 years after she was allegedly killed by a British soldier
- Victims and human rights activists are demanding justice, compensation, and investigations into alleged abuses linked to BATUK operations
- The calls come as Kenya and the UK prepare to renew the Defence Cooperation Agreement, with victims insisting their concerns must be addressed before any new deal is approved
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“I lied to my son that his father is dead, but he keeps asking about him.” Those are the heartbreaking words of a woman who has spent years trying to compel a British soldier to take responsibility for their child.
Source: Original
Amina (not her real name) has exhausted every avenue within her reach. She has gone through the courts and even secured an admission from the soldier that he is indeed her son’s father. But that is where the journey ended. There has been no compensation, no support, and no recognition, leaving her clinging to faith as her only source of hope.
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She is just one of hundreds of women in Laikipia raising children fathered by British soldiers, with no support from the men responsible.
Her story is among many painful accounts linked to the operations of the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK).
Others include families whose loved ones were allegedly killed by British soldiers, among them the family of Agnes Wanjiru, whose loved ones have been seeking justice for 14 years.
Agnes was killed in March 2012, and her body was found dumped in a septic tank two months after her disappearance. Yet for her family, the pain and heartbreak remain as fresh as ever.
She left behind a five-month-old daughter who is now a teenager, still trying to understand what happened to her mother.
These are only some of the grievances raised against BATUK. Victims and activists also point to allegations of assault, environmental contamination linked to military training exercises, and conflicts involving wildlife and local communities.
Nanyuki residents call for justice ahead of DCA renewal
Their demands come at a crucial time, as Kenya and the United Kingdom work towards renewing the agreement governing BATUK’s operations in the country.
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The victims insist they will not accept any renewal or ratification of the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) until they receive justice and compensation.
According to them, being asked to move on while their grievances remain unresolved amounts to a violation of their rights.
“It is a disgrace on the part of the Kenyan authorities. In 2021, they said the DCA would not be renewed until Agnes’s case had been resolved and the family compensated. Up to now, that has not happened. Yes, the man suspected of being responsible was eventually arrested, but the court case is still ongoing, and we are not certain about the outcome,” said Esther Wanjiru.
Wanjiru noted that her family continues to face challenges raising Agnes’s daughter, adding that compensation is the child’s right and not something the family is willing to negotiate away.
As a representative of BATUK victims, Esther accused the Kenyan government of doing little to help affected families secure justice.
For her, Parliament should not proceed with discussions on the DCA until the victims’ demands are addressed.
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“We have so many challenges. The impact trickles down to the children, who want answers and seek to understand what happened to their parents. The lengthy court cases are another issue, and despite travelling to the UK, we have made very little progress,” she explained.
Human rights activists and defenders, including Bob Njagi, Kevin Kubai, and Njeri Migwi, joined affected families and victims during a meeting in Nanyuki Town.
They echoed calls for justice for families struggling to cope with loss, abandonment, and decades-long battles for accountability.
Njagi said their demands were clear and non-negotiable, calling for full compensation for victims and the swift administration of justice.
The human rights defender also argued that there was no justification for renewing the DCA, citing the gravity of the alleged abuses.
According to him, the better solution would be to completely phase out foreign military bases in Kenya to protect the country’s sovereignty.
“I want to call on Kenyans to stand in solidarity with the people of Nanyuki since the government has failed them. This is a historical injustice allegedly perpetrated by British soldiers and should be treated as a crime against humanity. We can only have them leave Kenya through a referendum, and we should begin a petition on the same,” said Njagi.
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Lawyer Kevin Kubai also highlighted the challenges victims face when pursuing legal avenues for justice and compensation.
Kubai revealed that he has secured more than 25 declarations of parentage from British courts involving soldiers who fathered children with local women in Nanyuki.
“They abandoned them, and despite the court declarations, they are still unwilling to take responsibility,” he said.
He added that many cases are delayed due to technicalities, while others stall after victims make reports to the police, with little or no action taken afterwards.
According to Kubai, if a new DCA is drafted, it should prioritise the interests of victims, particularly children fathered by British soldiers who have since been abandoned.
“Ideally, these children are British citizens and should enjoy the rights they deserve. Many fathers have avoided responsibility, and there is a need for a dedicated office to support victims of these injustices, track cases, and help them access justice, all these should be looked at before the commencement of the DCA in September,” said Kubai.
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Demands of Nanyuki victims before a new DCA?
End Impunity
Victims want soldiers accused of crimes committed on Kenyan soil to be subjected to the jurisdiction of Kenyan courts.
Justice for Past Cases
Victims are calling for full and independent investigations into historical offences linked to BATUK and for perpetrators to be held accountable.
Full Compensation
The victims want immediate and adequate compensation for all affected individuals and bereaved families.
Recognition of Abandoned Children
Victims want children fathered by British soldiers to be formally recognised and guaranteed child support.
Environmental Restoration
Residents are calling for a comprehensive environmental audit of all BATUK training grounds and for any weapons or exercises that contaminate soil and water to be banned.
Protection of Kenyan Workers
They want safe working conditions for Kenyans employed by BATUK, as well as compensation mechanisms for injuries sustained while on duty.
Transparency in the DCA
Victims want the Defence Cooperation Agreement opened to public scrutiny to prevent decisions being made behind closed doors while local communities bear the consequences.
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The aggrieved residents maintained that BATUK should either withdraw its operations from Kenya or fully meet their demands.
“These are resources that belong to the people of Kenya, yet they have been handed over to a foreign government. You cannot host a lethal force in your country if it does not serve your interests. We want them out,” said human rights activist Booker Omole.
Source: NGBREAKINGNEWS
