British Soldiers Continue to Use Sex Workers in Kenya Despite Official Ban

A recent investigation has disclosed that British soldiers stationed at the British Army Training Unit Kenya (Batuk) have continued to engage with sex workers despite a formal ban. The disturbing findings, stemming from an inquiry initiated after previous allegations and incidents, indicate that while the occurrences are categorized as low to moderate, the military acknowledges the need for more effective measures to eradicate this behavior.

An investigation commissioned by the British Army has uncovered that soldiers stationed at its training base in Kenya, known as Batuk, continue to engage in transactional sex despite a strict ban prohibiting the practice. The report, which spans a period of over two years and reviews conduct dating back to July 2022, indicates that this behavior persists at a "low to moderate" level.

This inquiry was commissioned in October 2024, following a previous ITV investigation that raised concerns about soldiers paying for sex with local women. The problems at Batuk have been under scrutiny since the tragic death of Agnes Wanjiru in 2012, whose case involved allegations against British military personnel. The ongoing issues have sparked significant public concern and scrutiny regarding the behavior of troops in the region.

In response to these ongoing issues, in 2022, the UK’s Ministry of Defence implemented a prohibition on the use of sex workers by its forces deployed abroad as part of wider efforts to combat sexual exploitation and abuse. UK Chief of General Staff, Gen Sir Roly Walker emphasized the army’s commitment to eradicating such behavior, stating that it is incongruous with the values of being a British soldier and highlights a predatory dynamic towards vulnerable communities.

The service inquiry included a panel of four, comprising two serving officers, a civil servant, and an independent adviser. It assessed soldiers' adherence to regulations prohibiting payment for sexual services. The report detailed 35 instances of alleged misconduct since the ban's introduction, noting that most claims had not been substantiated. Of the 7,666 British army personnel who served at Batuk during the inquiry period, nine cases of alleged transactional sex were reported post-training on the new guidelines.

In addition to the inquiry's findings, the UK Foreign Office has confirmed that there are currently a small number of open investigations concerning allegations of soldiers using sex workers after the report's conclusion.

Despite ongoing training and control measures, the report concluded that "transactional sexual activity" persists among the troops in Kenya. Although it is not rampant, it suggests that the risk level is likely higher than initially estimated. The military has implemented regular training sessions and instituted "sharkwatch" patrols headed by senior non-commissioned officers to oversee soldiers’ conduct during off-hours.

The inquiry's findings come amid renewed scrutiny around Batuk, including a separate investigation by Kenyan MPs into allegations of misconduct and mistreatment of locals by British troops. These allegations include claims of physical harm to local residents and soldiers fathering children with Kenyan women without assuming responsibility.

In another alarming development, just earlier this year, one soldier was repatriated to the UK following accusations of rape. The recent report also noted that while many locals expressed satisfaction with the presence of Batuk, the behavior attributed to some soldiers continues to raise ethical dilemmas and requires immediate attention and rectification from military leadership.