Nairobi: Kenyan MPs say British General’s statement on BATUK falls short of justice

General Roland Walker's interview with Sky News, acknowledging British Army Training Unit Kenya BATUK failures regarding abuse, loss of life, and environmental damage to Kenyan communities, has drawn immediate reaction from Kenyan lawmakers. While General Walker stated the British Army holds itself to high standards and works with the Kenyan Ministry of Defence to resolve grievances, he rejected suggestions that British soldiers consider themselves above the law. Nelson Koech, the Member of Parliament for Belgut and Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations, stated that General Walker's comments, while acknowledging harm, did not address accountability or prevention. Mr. Koech noted that no specific preventive measures were confirmed, and no soldiers have been charged despite numerous complaints. He suggested that Kenya could use General Walker's public admission to strengthen its negotiating position for the Defence Cooperation Agreement DCA renewal in 2026, advocating for enforceable provisions for joint investigations, compensation, and Kenyan oversight. Yussuf Hassan, the Member of Parliament for Kamukunji and a member of the same committee, raised concerns about the lack of action from Kenyan institutions following the committee's report, highlighting that victims still await justice. He noted that Parliament had signaled its intent to amend the defense agreement to allow local prosecution of British soldiers for off-duty crimes. The meas