British soldiers using sex workers in Kenya despite ban, inquiry finds
3 min read
British Soldiers Still Using Sex Workers in Kenya Despite Ban, Inquiry Finds
Fresh investigation uncovers continuing misconduct at British Army base in Kenya, renewing scrutiny over soldier behavior and community impact.
Army Inquiry Confirms Ongoing Violations
A formal inquiry by the British Army has found that some soldiers stationed at the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) continue to engage sex workers despite a strict ban introduced in 2022. The findings, released this month, confirm that “transactional sexual activity” has persisted at low to moderate levels at the base, which is located near Nanyuki, roughly 200 km north of Nairobi.
The report, which covered activities from July 2022 to early 2025, was launched following an ITV investigation into allegations that soldiers were paying local women for sex. This is the latest controversy tied to the base, which has been under intense scrutiny since the 2012 death of Agnes Wanjiru, a Kenyan woman allegedly murdered by a British soldier.
Official Ban Hasn’t Stopped Misconduct
In 2022, the UK Ministry of Defence issued a global ban on the use of sex workers by British military personnel as part of efforts to combat sexual exploitation and abuse. However, the latest inquiry revealed 35 suspected incidents where soldiers paid for sex—26 before formal training on the policy began in late 2022, and 9 afterwards.
Of the 7,666 troops deployed to BATUK during the investigation window, only a fraction were linked to these allegations, and many cases remain unproven. Still, UK Army leadership emphasized that even isolated incidents violate the military’s core values.
Leadership Responds: “No Place for Exploitation”
General Sir Roly Walker, the UK’s Chief of the General Staff, condemned the misconduct:
“There is absolutely no place for sexual exploitation and abuse by people in the British Army. It is at complete odds with what it means to be a British soldier.”
The Army emphasized its commitment to discipline, education, and oversight. Control measures have included mandatory training, disciplinary action, and “sharkwatch” patrols—where senior officers monitor soldier conduct during nights out.
New Measures for Accountability
In response to the report’s findings, the British Army will implement several recommendations, including:
Streamlining the dismissal process for personnel found to have engaged in transactional sex
Strengthening preventive education and ethics training
Enhancing field surveillance in high-risk areas around the base
The Service Inquiry panel, composed of military officers, a civil servant, and an independent adviser, acknowledged that while the issue is not “out of control”, the Army must prepare for the “upper end of the risk scale.”
Local Reaction and Ongoing Investigations
Interestingly, the inquiry noted that “the vast majority of local residents” reportedly support the continued presence of the BATUK base due to its economic contributions. However, concerns remain, especially from Kenyan civil society groups and MPs.
A parallel Kenyan parliamentary inquiry is investigating broader claims against BATUK personnel, including:
Physical injuries reportedly inflicted by soldiers
Rape allegations, including one case in June 2025
Claims of British soldiers fathering children with local women and abandoning them
The UK’s Foreign Office has separately confirmed that fewer than five recent allegations are still under active investigation.
About The Author
