Over 3,000 residents in Laikipia and Samburu counties have received free medical care through a joint operation by the British Army and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). The week-long initiative, held under Exercise Haraka Serpent, focused on underserved communities with limited access to healthcare. Medical teams visited nine remote locations three each in Laikipia North, Laikipia West, and Samburu County including Lokusero, Musul, Nosorai, Laresoro, Sereolipi, Archer’s Post, Suguroi, Mathira, and Kanduturai.
The outreach provided preventive and curative services such as immunization for children, cervical cancer screening, HIV testing and counseling, family planning, maternal care, ENT checks, nutrition screening, and health education.
Respiratory infections were among the most treated conditions, and patients received on-the-spot medication. Many residents had never accessed such comprehensive services before.
Speaking at the end of the outreach, Robert Mathews British Army’s 202 Multi Role Medical Regiment said the mission marked a significant achievement.
“This has been a challenging yet incredibly rewarding exercise. We’ve treated over 3,000 people. For many of our medics, this was their first time working in Kenya, and the collaboration with KDF has been a great honor,” Mathews said.
The exercise also involved a training program at Kahawa Garrison in Nairobi, where British clinicians trained KDF personnel on pre-hospital care for battlefield and remote emergencies. The goal was to enhance joint preparedness for future operations.
KDF Nursing Officer Lieutenant Brian Kiplimo outlined the goals behind the operation:
“Our objectives were to provide care to marginalized communities, boost operational medical readiness, and deepen our partnership with BATUK. We trained 45 KDF personnel in casualty care and shared vital skills for future joint deployments.“
The outreach was supported by the Samburu County Government and the Beyond Zero initiative, a health campaign championed to improve maternal and child healthcare in rural areas. British High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan hailed the initiative.
“This operation reflects the strength of the UK–Kenya partnership. It’s about more than military cooperation it’s about saving lives and building trust. Kenya is a key ally, and this effort shows what we can achieve together,” Wigan said.
Local leaders and residents praised the effort, calling it a rare opportunity to access specialized care close to home. Many expressed hope that such outreach will continue to fill critical gaps in Kenya’s rural health system.
The joint operation underscored the role of defense forces in humanitarian aid, showing that military cooperation can directly impact public welfare in regions that need it most.
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