Why British Army could quit Kenya

dennis kibet

November 9, 2017 9:36 AM

The army came to Kenya for training back in 1945.

A looming crisis between the British army and the KDF over training ground - in private lands – is culminating into an ugly confrontation, the Star reported on Thursday.

The local daily has hinted that the British Government is currently contemplating a ‘yes or no’ response after it emerged that the KDF is opposed to the use of privately owned land in Kenya for training of her soldiers. The KDF is pushing for a restrained training in Archers Post.

It is understood that the British soldiers value training in the Laikipia owing to its variety in terrain, but with the recent turn of events, the KDF claims that the blatant encroachment into private lands in Laikipia violated the Defence Cooperation Agreement inked in 2015.

The stalemate is however set to hit hard Nanyuki residents owing to the recent Sh10 billion army base which has been instrumental for the locals.

The major losers in the fall out would be Kenya Revenue Authority and Laikipia County government. The British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) spends approximately Sh6.75 billion in Laikipia. Nearly Sh405 million of the pack goes to leases with ranches and rent to landlords.

The agreement between KDF and the British army is set to end in 2021, but the new developments might push the aliens to consider the Oman offer which has already been presented on table for consideration. The fate of hundreds of jobs in Nanyuki hangs in the decision by the KDF.

The British army has establishments in Nairobi’s Kifaru and Kahawa Barracks, Archer's Post Training Area in Losesia Area and Dol Dol in Laikipia County.

dennis kibet