A British soldier has been arrested in Kenya after a woman reported being raped near a UK military base north of Nairobi. The incident has reignited scrutiny of long-standing tensions between the British Army and local communities.
The alleged assault occurred last month near the town of Nanyuki, where the British Army Training Unit Kenya (known as BATUK) is based. It is understood the soldier had been out with others at a local bar on the night of the alleged attack.
UK military police from the Defence Serious Crime Unit have launched an investigation. The unit handles serious allegations involving British service personnel both at home and abroad.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed the arrest, stating that a “service person” had been detained and questioned.
“Unacceptable and criminal behaviour has absolutely no place in our Armed Forces,” the MoD said. “Any reporting of a serious crime by serving personnel is investigated independently from their chain of command.”
Kenyan police are said to be cooperating with British authorities, though local officials have yet to comment publicly on the matter.
This is not the first time British troops stationed in Kenya have faced serious accusations.
In 2012, Agnes Wanjiru, a 21-year-old Kenyan mother, was found dead in a septic tank near the same army camp. Witnesses said she had last been seen with British soldiers. Nearly a decade later, The Sunday Times reported that a soldier was believed to have killed her, sparking outrage in Kenya.
“To this day, justice has not been served,” said Lucy Wanjiru, a cousin of the victim. “We want answers. We want action, not promises.”
The MoD said it is continuing to assist Kenyan authorities with their investigation into Wanjiru’s death.
The British Army has operated out of Nanyuki since 1964, shortly after Kenya gained independence. Under a longstanding defence agreement, up to six UK battalions can train at the base each year.
But the relationship between BATUK and the local community has not always been smooth. Over the years, residents and activists have raised concerns about the behaviour of some British troops stationed there.
A Kenyan parliamentary inquiry launched last year examined claims of abuse, including a hit-and-run incident, sexual misconduct, and allegations that soldiers abandoned women after fathering children with them.
“These are serious matters,” said Kenyan MP Naisula Lesuuda, who sits on the committee probing the British military’s presence. “We must ensure our people are protected, and that anyone who breaks the law is held accountable—regardless of their nationality or uniform.”
Calls for greater transparency and accountability have grown louder, particularly as the British Army continues to expand its training operations in East Africa.
The outcome of the current rape investigation could prove a key test of the UK military’s stated commitment to upholding justice abroad. Meanwhile, for many in Nanyuki, questions remain—and memories of past pain linger.
