Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua claimed a KSh3 billion demand by Kenyan officials prompted the British Army Training Unit Kenya to move part of its training to Tanzania.
Gachagua made the remarks on Sunday, July 26, during a church service at St Teresa Catholic Church in Imenti Central Constituency, Meru County. He named National Assembly Defence and Foreign Relations Committee chairman Nelson Koech as the person who allegedly told British officials that KSh3 billion was needed to renew the contract.
The former deputy president stated that the British side asked for details on what the payment covered and refused to proceed after negotiations lasted nearly eight months. He said BATUK then cancelled one training programme in Kenya and moved it to Mezama in Tanzania.
The UK Ministry of Defence announced on Thursday that it would halt part of its training in Kenya while keeping most operations in the country. No responses have come from the committee, the Kenyan government or the UK Ministry of Defence regarding the allegations.