Despite the dwindling relations between Kenya and the UK due to the constant travel advisories against Kenya by the latter, an agreement that allows British soldiers to train in Kenya a memorandum of understanding has been renewed. The memorandum of understanding extends for six months as the two countries work out a formula favorable for both parties.
Kenya expressed grave displeasure in how the UK was handling the security issue that Kenya has been met with in the past year. Nairobi was particularly not happy with the constant travel advisories which more often than not are very unnecessary.
The deal in question allowed approximately 10,000 British Soldiers under British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK) to conduct military exercise in the East African Country. This training equips the British soldiers with unfriendly terrain combat tactics especially from the rough terrain in Laikipia and Samburu.
British High Commissioner to Kenya Dr. Christian Turner said, “The UK and Kenya are continuing constructive negotiations on a new Defence Cooperation Agreement. We share a strong interest in working together to achieve a successful outcome. Both governments have therefore agreed to extend the current MoU for six months from April 21”.
Among other factors that have since been put to rest was that British soldiers enjoy immunity for crimes they commit while in Kenya. Dr. Turner assured that the soldiers did not have immunity in Kenya or in the UK.
The Travel advisories issued by some countries in the West have caused the major dip Kenya’s tourism industry is experiencing. Kenya hopes to pressure the UK and other countries from the West to retract any and all Travel advisories ahead of the Tourism Peak Season in June-July.
The UK has however defended their decision by saying that just like Kenya and another state they have an obligation to its citizenry to keep them warned in the bid to keeping them secure. Dr. Turner was quick to state that the advisories are not specific to Kenya alone but also any other country that the UK feels her populace should be vigilante when travelling to.
Dr.Turner however expressed faith in the negotiations hoping that Kenya will reconsider the decision and that there would be better relations between the two countries.
