The National Assembly Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee chaired by Hon. Nelson Koech adopted a proposal to launch an inquiry into activities of the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK) in Nanyuki, Laikipia County.

Members  proposed the inquiry following complaints raised by residents and key stakeholders on past conduct of the British soldiers in the County, during the Committee's recent consideration of the Kenya-UK Defence Cooperation Agreement.

Among complaints raised by residents was the alleged murder of Kenyan Woman Agnes Wanjiru in 2012 in the hands of British soldiers in Nanyuki, and claims that BATUK activities could have caused the fire that razed down a section of the Lolldaiga Hills Ranch in 2021.

Hon. Koech said the inquiry would provide an opportunity for aggrieved Kenyans to finally get justice, and that this would be a critical pillar to the Committee's resolve to ensure Kenya can hold to account visiting troops that flout the law on Kenyan soil.

"You recall we even put it among our recommendations that foreign soldiers who commit the offence of murder should be tried under the Kenyan law, as well as the whole issue of corporate social responsibility for the visiting troops especially on matters on environment," said Hon. Koech.

Members said the inquiry would incorporate all critical stakeholders to get to the bottom of matters under consideration.

The Committee scheduled the inquiry to commence in August this year, and will involve all stakeholders including residents, civil society, the Kenya Defence Ministry and the UK Embassy.