The National Assembly Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations engaged National Museums of Kenya (NMK) regarding the potential impact of the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) on Kenya's cultural heritage.

The meeting chaired by Hon. Nelson Koech (Belgut) follows an inquiry by the Committee into the conduct of BATUK and public hearings held in Laikipia, Samburu and Isiolo counties where residents spoke of the impact of the activities of the BATUK on their cultural heritage. 

The Committee met with Director-General of the National Museums of Kenya, Dr. Emmanuel Ndiema.

Dr. Ndiema presented findings on various heritage assessments conducted in BATUK training areas. While the museum has not identified any significant damage to archaeological sites, it has raised concerns about the potential risks posed by military activities.

He also told the lawmakers of several measures to mitigate these risks, including periodic reviews of heritage inventories, field verification of archaeological records before large-scale exercises, and incorporating heritage monitoring into environmental assessments of BATUK operations.