Event Summary:
28th September British Prime Minister David Cameron and Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta held a meeting in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Meeting that discussed UK-Kenya relations.
On 30th September a communiqué was released detailing a new Memorandum of Understanding for Defence Cooperation Agreement between Kenya and the United Kingdom expected to be signed before or after Cameron’s visit to Kenya.
Analysis:
Kenya and the United Kingdom on the sidelines of the UN General Meeting in New York reached an agreement that will guide the defense agreement they have putting to an end the diplomatic stalemates experienced in the past.
At least 10,000 British soldiers train in Kenya in the bases in Nanyuki and Samburu under the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK). The previous contract upon expiry has not been renewed due to several jurisdiction matters.
Under the new agreement:
- Concurrent (Kenya and UK) jurisdiction will apply on visiting troops subjecting them to the laws of both countries
- British Soldiers that commit crimes while off duty will be tried under Kenyan Law unlike in the past where they enjoyed immunity from the Kenyan law
- Crimes committed while on duty British military rule will be applied
- Kenya official observers will have access to the bases unlike in the past
- The UK announced the establishment of a new center that will aid in counterterrorism efforts and training of local security personnel
Summary:
The defense relationship between the two countries is set to improve with increased cooperation in countering violent extremism, border and aviation security as well as in the criminal justice system.
The UK will additionally open a new center in Kenya that will provide technical training especially on improvised explosive devices and other modern attack modes employed by the militants and criminals.
BATUK bases and operations in Laikipia and Samburu counties have economically boosted the development and improved living standards of the local communities as the troop’s activities bring in at least KSH 8.7 Billion annually.
