LONDON — An individual from the United Kingdom’s military forces has been detained in Kenya, and an investigation is currently underway by the British military police, as confirmed by the Ministry of Defense on Sunday.
According to reports from various British media outlets, including the BBC, a British Army soldier faces accusations of rape. “We can confirm the arrest of a service member in Kenya,” the Ministry of Defense announced in a statement, adding that due to the ongoing investigation by the Defence Serious Crime Command, further comments would not be made.
Under a defense cooperation agreement between the U.K. and Kenya, thousands of British soldiers have the opportunity to train in the East African nation each year. Additionally, about 200 U.K. troops are stationed permanently to assist in training Kenyan forces.
Despite this long-standing arrangement, complaints from some Kenyan locals have surfaced regarding the behavior of the British soldiers and the general environment surrounding their training base near Nanyuki town. The 2012 case of 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru, who was last seen alive with British troops at a bar near the camp, has been especially controversial. Her body was later discovered in a septic tank, leading to public outcry.
Wanjiru’s family has persistently sought justice, desiring that the suspect, who was a member of the British military at the time of her death, be prosecuted. In response to these demands, in April, U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey held discussions with Wanjiru’s family in Kenya. He assured them of his commitment to “help the family secure the justice they deserve.”
Furthermore, the British Army has initiated an inquiry to examine the allegations of inappropriate behavior by U.K. forces stationed in Kenya. The Ministry of Defense reiterated that all British personnel deployed to the country receive explicit instructions regarding their conduct, both on and off duty. They are required to complete mandatory training and attend compulsory briefings to ensure appropriate behavior. The Ministry declared a “zero tolerance” approach towards any unacceptable behavior among its ranks.