The National Assembly’s departmental committee on defence and foreign relations has said that it will hold public hearings regarding the alleged cases of abuse of power and corruption by the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK) stationed in Laikipia and Samburu counties.
The committee chaired by Belgut MP Nelson Koech said that the sessions will be held from Tuesday, May 28 to Thursday, May 30, 2024.
The inquiry follows allegations of corruption, fraud, discrimination, and abuse of power within BATUK.
Some members of the unit have also been accused of mistreatment, torture, unlawful detention, killings and other violations of the internationally recognised human rights standards.
Koech said that members of the committee will also assess BATUK’s operational integrity, especially safety protocols, compliance with legal requirements and adherence to established military standards.
The committee, acting within its constitutional mandate to exercise oversight over state organs, will delve into these issues throughout BATUK’s history in Kenya.
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Members of the committee have called on Kenyans to attend the hearings and submit written or oral testimonies concerning BATUK’s operations.
On the 28th May 2024, the Committee will meet Members of the public in Laikipia East, Jua Kali Centre and in Nanyuki Town, Nanyuki Social Hall.
On 29th May 2024, legislators will receive submissions from residents in Archers Post, Archers Post Chief’s Camp. Residents of Doldol, Kiwanja Ndege Centre in Samburu County will have their say on 30th May 2024.
The committee had in March this year met with commissioner of the Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNHRC), Prof Marion Mutugi, University of Nairobi lecturer, Prof Isaiah Mwaniki and secretary of the Maumau Governing Council of Kenya, Wambugu Githagia as the investigations into BATUK kicked off.
The team has so far received submissions from the KNHRC which presented 43 complaints that the Commission has received against BATUK.
The complaints dating as far back as 1975 detailed land disputes, cases of unexploded ordinance harming civilians and lack of compensation for victims, sexual violence, and environmental degradation.
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