An investigation commissioned by the British Army into the conduct of soldiers at the British Army Training Unit Kenya (Batuk) revealed some personnel continue to engage with sex workers, a practice officially forbidden since July 2022. The inquiry, initiated in October 2024, assessed behaviors over the past two years after previous reports from ITV highlighted these concerning actions.
The report indicated that the incidence of soldiers paying for sex was categorized as "at a low or moderate level." It documented 35 allegations of such activities among the 7,666 British soldiers stationed at Batuk during the review period. Only a fraction of these cases, however, were substantiated, and the majority appeared unresolved.
The investigation follows a history of scrutiny regarding soldiers' conduct at the base, particularly after the 2012 death of Agnes Wanjiru, a Kenyan woman allegedly murdered by a British soldier. The UK Ministry of Defence has emphasized its commitment to combating sexual exploitation, with Chief of General Staff Gen Sir Roly Walker decrying the occurrences as entirely unacceptable and contrary to the values expected of British soldiers.
The Service Inquiry was conducted by a panel including serving officers and civilian advisors and evaluated the army's strategies to deter transactions for sex as outlined in regulation JSP 769. The report acknowledged that despite measures like training sessions and "sharkwatch" patrols aimed at monitoring conduct during off-base outings, sexual exploitation persists among troops.
The Army plans to adopt recommendations from the inquiry, including simplifying the dismissal process for soldiers found to have engaged with sex workers and enhancing training efforts. The findings come amid a broader investigation by Kenyan lawmakers into alleged mistreatment of local individuals by soldiers at Batuk, including further claims of misconduct and abuses of power.
Despite these troubling findings, the Service Inquiry reported that most local Kenyans expressed contentment with the presence of British soldiers at the camp, contrasting the negative behaviors observed by some personnel. The inquiry continues as specific cases remain under investigation by the British government.
This situation underscores ongoing concerns over military behavior in foreign countries and the challenges in enforcing conduct regulations effectively.
