British army training in Kenya [Photo/army-technology.com]
The British army is contemplating pulling out of Kenya. UK Chief of General Staff Gen. Nick Carter, born in Kenya will visit the 3rd battalion of the Paratroop Regiment currently training in Archers Post. This decision will be made during his visit.
The possible pullout has been caused by KDF directive that the British army must restrict its training to the Kenya Defense Forces land at Archers Post and shun private land.
The directive has forced the British government to plan to give Kenya a ‘yes or no’ ultimatum to make a decision on military co-operation. The final decision will be arrived at by end of November in London, the Star reports.
The British maintain that the December 2015 Defense Cooperation Agreement that ends in 2021 gave them rights to train in Archers Post as well as Laikipia which is cooler that Archers Post and has varied terrain.
The United Kingdom has a Sh10 billion base in Nanyuki, Laikipia’s capital but they might shift to Oman that has offered support and free land in exchange for the training of its own armed forces.
The British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) around Sh6.75 billion with Sh405 million going directly to Nanyuki economy. However, KDF directed the British to cancel all its leases with private landowners pursuant to Article 10 (b)(i) of the DCA.
“Think about what happened in Meru when miraa was banned in the UK. If the KDF does not budge, it will be much worse for Laikipia and Nanyuki. Hundreds of jobs would vanish if BATUK pulled out and Nanyuki businesses would be hit particularly hard,” a Nanyuki businessman told the Star.