SCREENGRAB
The United Kingdom has cancelled a planned military training exercise in Kenya after the necessary government licences failed to materialise.
However, the cancellation does not mean the exit of the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) in the country but the halting of a training exercise that was scheduled for later this year.
The training, Haraka Storm, was scheduled for September-November 2026.
The development has dealt a blow to local communities that were expected to benefit from the economic activity generated by the deployment.
Batuk, based next to Laikipia Air Base, regularly conducts joint training with the Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) as well as community outreach and engagement programmes such as support to the replanting of forestry and pop-up medical clinics in remote regions which treat thousands of patients in areas that have limited regular access to healthcare.
In a statement, the UK said the exercise, which had been scheduled to take place in Laikipia later this year, will now be conducted at an alternative location outside Kenya after the required approvals were not granted.
"It is with regret that the necessary licences required to allow training to take place in Laikipia later this year have not been forthcoming. As a result, the planned training will now be conducted at an alternative location outside Kenya," the statement said.
The UK acknowledged the impact the decision will have on residents and businesses that were set to benefit from the exercise, noting that all British military training activities in Kenya are subject to approval by the Government of Kenya.
"We recognise the disappointment this decision will cause for those who would have benefited from the economic activity generated by the exercise. All UK training activity in Kenya is dependent on the permission from the Government of Kenya," it added.
Despite the setback, London reaffirmed its commitment to its long-standing defence partnership with Kenya, describing it as one of the strongest pillars of the two countries' bilateral relationship.
"The UK highly values its relationship with Kenya, which is underpinned by mutual benefit, respect and cooperation. The UK-Kenya Defence Partnership is one of the great strengths of our relationship. Our joint training and operations with the Kenyan Defence Forces are keeping both Kenyan and British people safe," the statement said.
The UK said it will continue engaging the Kenyan government in the hope of resuming military training in the country at the earliest opportunity.
