Kenya's parliament has accused British soldiers of decades of sexual abuse, killings, human rights violations, and environmental destruction while training in the country.
The report detailed harrowing testimony from communities in Laikipia and Samburu counties, near the military training bases.
The British soldiers are accused of evading accountability by refusing to cooperate with the parliamentary investigation.
The UK High Commission in Kenya said it regretted that its submission was not reflected in the report's conclusions and affirmed its readiness to investigate the allegations under our jurisdiction fully, once evidence is provided.
For decades, troops from the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (Batuk) have been training in central Kenya but their presence has long attracted controversy, with soldiers accused of misconduct and rights abuses.
More than 1,000 Kenyan soldiers receive British training each year, while thousands of UK troops are sent to Kenya for training exercises.
In a 94-page report following a two-year inquiry, Kenya's parliamentary Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations accused Batuk of continued ethical breaches, rights violations, and environmental negligence, as well as employment and labour concerns.
The panel cited oral and written submissions from affected civilians, victims, community leaders, civil society organisations and public agencies.
The report said that during the inquiry, host communities had complained of killings, assaults, and maimings, including public fights and fatal traffic incidents involving Batuk soldiers.
The report suggested that Batuk was increasingly seen as an occupying presence rather than a development partner, comparing its actions to colonial injustices.
Among the worst cases was the 2012 murder of Agnes Wanjiru, whose body was discovered in a hotel septic tank three months after she was allegedly with British soldiers.
The panel said that the pursuit of justice has been slow, alleging interference and obstruction by Batuk personnel, hindering the delivery of justice.
A former British soldier accused of Wanjiru's murder was arrested last month after a warrant was issued in the UK and faces extradition to Kenya, which he denies.
The report highlighted a disturbing trend of sexual misconduct by Batuk personnel, particularly against women from the Samburu and Maasai communities, stating that many cases of rape remain unresolved.
The MPs also raised concerns about environmental impact from Batuk, claiming it had not conducted required assessments for field exercises, resulting in respiratory issues and livestock deaths among local populations.
Batuk's defense included mentioning independent audits that showed compliance with Kenyan regulations, but the parliamentary committee criticized their lack of engagement in discussions.
The report concluded by recommending revisions to the military agreement between Kenya and the UK to enhance accountability and oversight for abuses and environmental impacts.
