THE Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been accused of adopting an “evasive posture” over decades of sexual abuse, killings, human rights violations and environmental destruction by British soldiers training in Kenya.

The British Army Training Unit in Kenya (Batuk) has long been accused of misconduct and rights abuses near military training bases in central Kenya.

On Tuesday, a two-year parliamentary inquiry into the controversies reported that Batuk continued ethical breaches, rights violations and environmental negligence, as well as employment and labour concerns.

Kenya’s parliamentary committee on defence, intelligence and foreign relations detailed harrowing testimony from communities in Laikipia and Samburu counties of killings, assaults and maimings, including public fights and fatal traffic incidents, involving Batuk soldiers.

Their unit is “increasingly seen as an occupying presence rather than a development partner, with affected residents drawing parallels to colonial injustices,” the MPs said.

Their committee added that it encountered “significant institutional resistance and non-co-operation” from the British army, describing its “evasive posture” as “emblematic of contempt for the authority of parliament and, by extension, the sovereignty of the people of Kenya.”

The MoD did eventually provide a written statement in October, which it said was “in the spirit of co-operation.”

An MoD spokesperson said: “The UK highly values its defence relationship with Kenya, which delivers a broad programme of co-operation in training, education, and capability development to counter shared security threats together.

“We deeply regret the challenges which have arisen in relation to our defence presence in Kenya.

“Where new allegations have come to light in the committee’s report, we stand ready to investigate those under our jurisdiction fully once evidence is provided.”