The Kenyan government has rejected claims that the British Army Training Unit Kenya arrangement has ended, stating that defence ties with the United Kingdom remain active. The clarification follows the cancellation of a planned military exercise in Laikipia.
On Friday, July 24, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement signed by Director of Press Services Jacob Ng’etich. It dismissed reports that the BATUK partnership had been terminated.
The statement noted that the Kenya-United Kingdom Defence Cooperation Agreement is still under review by the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations. A dispute over jurisdiction for serious crimes such as murder has delayed progress.
The UK had announced that the Haraka Storm exercise, set for Laikipia between September and November 2026, would not proceed due to missing licences. Training will instead occur at an alternative site outside Kenya.
The government emphasised the long-standing strategic partnership based on mutual respect and shared interests. It said the cancellation of one exercise should not be seen as a breakdown in relations.
