Grief, anguish and long-unanswered questions filled the air in Nanyuki as victims of alleged abuses linked to the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) appealed to the government. Families say they have endured in silence for too long, and as Kenya and the United Kingdom consider renewing the BATUK agreement, their message is clear: justice must come first.
At the heart of the suffering is Esther Njoki, niece of Agnes Wanjiru, a young mother who was brutally killed 14 years ago, allegedly by a British soldier. For more than a decade, the family has waited, hoped, prayed and demanded accountability. They say justice has remained painfully beyond reach, and Njoki now fears that continued delays amount not only to denial, but to the quiet erasure of her aunt’s life.
The five-year BATUK agreement, which expired in 2025, is now being discussed for renewal by the Kenyan and UK governments. For many Kenyans, particularly in Laikipia and nearby areas, the negotiations reopen painful memories. They insist that any new deal must not overlook the suffering of those most affected by BATUK operations.
Human rights defenders, including Bob Njagi, Lawyer Kevin Kubai and Njeri Migwi, stood with affected families in Nanyuki, amplifying voices that have long been ignored. Also present were members of the Lolldaiga community, residents who allege environmental and social harm, and children born from relationships involving British soldiers, many of whom say they have been abandoned and forgotten.
A major issue raised was the slow pursuit of justice and compensation. Victims say their cases have dragged on for years with little progress and even less accountability. Members of the Lolldaiga community also voiced frustration over what they describe as unfulfilled promises and an inadequate response to their grievances.
For Agnes Wanjiru’s family, every passing year intensifies the pain. They say the absence of closure has turned grief into a lasting wound. For other victims, there is fear that history may repeat itself if the agreement is renewed without proper safeguards.
Affected communities are now urging both governments to listen and to place justice, compensation and the protection of local communities at the center of any new agreement. They argue that renewing the pact without addressing long-standing concerns would betray victims and weaken public trust.
Attention is also turning to Parliament, where the new BATUK agreement is expected to be reviewed and adopted. Stakeholders are calling on lawmakers to ensure the parliamentary report reflects victims’ concerns and includes clear provisions on accountability, compensation and protection of local communities before approval is granted.
As negotiations continue, these families hold on to one hope: that their voices will finally be heard, that their suffering will not be ignored again, and that justice, long delayed, will not be denied once more.