A fresh report submitted to Parliament by the Inspector General of Police has recommended that 58 alleged sexual abuse cases linked to members of the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) be reviewed for possible prosecution.
The report follows a new investigation into allegations of rape involving British soldiers and calls for further legal action where enough evidence exists.
According to the report, police have asked for the cases to undergo legal review while seeking cooperation from authorities in the United Kingdom to support investigations and any future prosecutions.
Investigators also recommended DNA testing where necessary to help establish paternity in cases involving children who were allegedly born as a result of the reported assaults.
The investigation involved interviews with 95 people from Nanyuki, Doldol, Lekiji Village and other parts of Laikipia County. Among those interviewed were 58 people who reported being survivors of alleged rape or gang rape.
Investigators also spoke to relatives of 17 people who have since died and documented cases involving seven children said to have been born from the alleged assaults.
The report states that Lekiji Village recorded the highest number of interviewees because of its location near the Impala BATUK training area.
The accounts collected from the area included 23 alleged gang rape cases, 11 alleged rape cases, two reports of injuries sustained while victims were fleeing attacks and statements from three witnesses.
Some of the survivors told investigators they were allegedly attacked while carrying out normal daily activities such as collecting firewood, fetching water and fishing. Others claimed that children were allegedly lured with sweets and food before being assaulted.
Investigators acknowledged that several of the reported incidents happened many years ago, making prosecution more difficult. The report notes that delayed reporting, limited physical evidence and the fact that some earlier investigations were handled by the British Royal Military Police have created challenges in building criminal cases.
The inquiry was carried out alongside a review by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. According to the findings, some of the allegations could not be supported with enough evidence to allow prosecution.
The report also says that the deaths of some alleged victims have made it harder to gather information and pursue justice.
Despite these challenges, investigators believe the remaining cases deserve further legal examination to determine whether charges can be brought against those responsible.
They said cooperation between Kenyan and British authorities will be important in obtaining additional evidence and ensuring investigations are completed thoroughly.
The allegations involving BATUK have remained a matter of public interest for several years.
They have been the subject of repeated discussions in Parliament as lawmakers examine Kenya’s defence cooperation with the United Kingdom and the responsibilities of foreign military personnel operating in the country.
The latest report is expected to contribute to those discussions by providing updated findings and recommendations from the police investigation.
Lawmakers are expected to review the report and consider the proposed legal steps, including requests for international cooperation and DNA testing where required.
The report has been released at a time when the Kenyan government has confirmed that a British military training exercise in Laikipia, which had previously been cancelled, will now go ahead following discussions between Kenya and the United Kingdom.
The exercise is scheduled to take place between September and November, even as the long-standing allegations involving BATUK continue to attract attention and calls for accountability.
