British Army Denies Claims of Exiting Kenyan Training Base

The United Kingdom has refuted claims that it plans to close a Kenyan training camp used by its soldiers following a land dispute with Kenya Defence Forces.

A section on media in Kenya had reported that the British Army was mulling withdrawing from its training base in Laikipia County and that the decision was to be made public later this month.

The reports came following a recent visit by British Chief of General Staff General Nick Carter to the 3rd battalion of the Paratroop Regiment that is presently training at Archers Post.

However, in a post via Twitter on Friday, British Army Training Unit Kenya said: “Some of you will have read reports that we might leave Kenya. These are just rumors and are untrue as far as we are concerned.”

There were reports of Kenya Defence Force’s insistence that the British Army should not be allowed to train on any private land and should restrict its operations to the land at Archers Post in Laikipia, a move that allegedly angered Britain.

KDF had in April directed Britain to cancel all leases with private landowners, it was reported. Official financial data indicate BATUK spends about £50 million a year (Sh6.75 billion) in Laikipia, of which £3 million (Sh405 million) of is spent on leases with ranches and rent to landlords in Nanyuki.