MoD cancels army training in Kenya over powers to prosecute British soldiers.

A planned British Army training exercise in Kenya scheduled for September has been cancelled after the Kenyan government declined to ratify a new bilateral defence agreement with the United Kingdom.

The decision follows disagreements between the two countries over key provisions of the proposed agreement, particularly issues relating to funding and legal jurisdiction over criminal offences involving British military personnel stationed in Kenya.

The UK government had sought to renew the existing defence cooperation agreement. However, Kenyan lawmakers pushed for amendments that would grant Kenyan authorities greater powers to prosecute British soldiers accused of committing offences while serving in the country.

According to Kenyan media reports, negotiations have also stalled over the amount Britain pays Kenya to host military training exercises, with both governments yet to reach a consensus on the financial terms of the agreement.

Chairman of the Kenyan National Assembly’s Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee, Nelson Koech, said both governments remain engaged in discussions to resolve the outstanding issues.

“The two governments are actively engaging to address these outstanding issues,” Koech said.

As a result of the unresolved negotiations, the planned training exercise involving the 1st Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, which was due to commence in September, has been called off.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) expressed disappointment over the development while reaffirming the importance of the long-standing defence partnership between the two countries.

“The UK highly values its relationship with Kenya, which is underpinned by mutual benefit, respect and cooperation. The UK–Kenya Defence Partnership is one of the great strengths of our relationship. Our joint training and operations with the Kenyan Defence Forces help keep both Kenyan and British people safe.”

The spokesperson added that the required licences needed to conduct military training in Laikipia County had not been issued by the Kenyan authorities.

“It is with regret that the necessary licences required to allow training to take place in Laikipia later this year have not been forthcoming. As a result, the planned training will now be conducted at an alternative location outside Kenya.”

Despite the cancellation, the UK acknowledged the broader benefits of the military partnership. Kenya continues to benefit from joint military cooperation through the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK), located near Nanyuki, where Kenyan security personnel also receive training.

The presence of British troops has also contributed to local economic activity, particularly in communities surrounding the military training areas.

The Ministry of Defence noted that the cancellation would have economic consequences for businesses and residents who typically benefit from the exercise.

“We recognise the disappointment this decision will cause for those who would have benefited from the economic activity generated by the exercise,” the spokesperson said.

Negotiations between the United Kingdom and Kenya are expected to continue as both governments work towards resolving the outstanding issues surrounding legal jurisdiction, financial arrangements and the future of their bilateral defence cooperation.