By Rafiyat Sadiq
A British Army investigation has found that some soldiers stationed in Kenya continue to use sex workers, despite a ban introduced in 2022.
The inquiry focused on the British Army Training Unit Kenya (Batuk), located near Nanyuki, about 200 km north of Nairobi. It examined conduct at the base from July 2022 to late 2024.
The report concluded that the use of sex workers by soldiers was at a “low to moderate” level. It said more action was needed to end the practice.
The investigation followed a 2024 ITV documentary that alleged soldiers at Batuk were paying local women for sex. Similar concerns had been raised after the 2012 death of Agnes Wanjiru, a Kenyan woman allegedly killed by a British soldier.
In 2022, the UK Ministry of Defence banned the use of sex workers abroad to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse.
Chief of the General Staff, Gen Sir Roly Walker, said the army was committed to ending such behaviour.
“It should not be happening at all,” he said. “There is no place for sexual exploitation in the British Army. It preys on the vulnerable and benefits those who profit from abuse.”
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The inquiry panel included two serving officers, a civil servant, and an independent adviser. It recorded 35 suspected cases of soldiers paying for sex since July 2022. Twenty-six happened before training on the new rule began in November 2022. Nine took place after.
Most allegations were not proven. The Foreign Office confirmed that fewer than five new cases are under investigation.
The report said the practice was “not out of control” but could be at the higher end of the low-to-moderate scale.
Measures to prevent it include regular training and “sharkwatch” patrols, in which senior non-commissioned officers monitor junior soldiers during nights out.
The army said it would act on the report’s recommendations. These include making it easier to dismiss offenders and improving training.
Batuk has faced years of controversy. Kenyan MPs are also investigating claims of abuse, injuries to locals, and cases of soldiers fathering children with Kenyan women and abandoning them.
In June, a soldier was sent back to the UK after being accused of rape.
Despite these issues, the report said most local residents supported the presence of the base.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
