General Roland Walker, head of the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK), has defended his troops against misconduct allegations in a Sky News interview. He stated that the army upholds high standards and will work closely with Kenya's Ministry of Defence to address grievances. The comments come amid long-standing pressure over cases including the murder of Agnes Wanjiru.
General Roland Walker, the head of the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK), addressed long-standing allegations of misconduct by his troops in an interview with Sky News.
He acknowledged that defence ties between Britain and Kenya have been strained by grievances including murder, sexual violence, abandoned children, and environmental damage near training areas like Archer's Post. "We hold ourselves to the highest standards. Where we have failed, then that's on us to remedy our own behaviours," Walker stated.
Pushed on whether soldiers see themselves above the law, he rejected the notion. "Absolutely not. No, we are here under our own law. And where there is jurisdiction for Kenyan investigations, we work with the Kenyans," he said, adding that justice must be fully pursued and visible.
The Agnes Wanjiru case, where the 21-year-old was murdered in Nanyuki in 2012 and her body found in a septic tank, exemplifies the issues; an inquest ruled British soldiers responsible, yet no charges followed. Other concerns include a 2025 parliamentary inquiry on sexual assaults, children fathered by soldiers, and injuries from unexploded ordnance, with one 2018 victim awarded Ksh13 million.
Kenya's parliament amended the defence pact in April 2024 to allow local prosecutions for off-duty crimes. Walker pledged closer collaboration with Kenya's Ministry of Defence. BATUK announced rebranding plans in February 2026.
