https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231030/talks-of-allegations-of-uk-army-abuses-reportedly-blocked-by-kenya-ahead-of-king-charles-iiis-visit-1063198612.html
Talks of Allegations of UK Army Abuses Reportedly Blocked by Kenya Ahead of King Charles III's Visit
Talks of Allegations of UK Army Abuses Reportedly Blocked by Kenya Ahead of King Charles III's Visit
Sputnik Africa
Under an agreement between the two countries, several British short-term military training teams are deployed in Kenya. However, their deployment has been... 30.10.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-10-30T18:11+0100
2023-10-30T18:11+0100
2023-10-30T18:11+0100
king charles iii
kenya
united kingdom (uk)
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sub-saharan africa
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military excercises
east africa
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A news conference, aimed to air allegations of human rights and environmental abuses by the British army in Kenya was blocked by the country's police ahead of King Charles III visit to the African state, which will begin on Tuesday, media reported. The allegations concern the damage caused during a military exercise in 2021 conducted by the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK), based in the country's town of Nanyuki. During this military exercise, a devastating fire broke out in the state's Lolldaiga area, as a result of which over 4,800 hectares (12,000 acres) of land were ravaged and locals received injuries. In 2021, a UK soldier seemed to take responsibility on social networks for starting the wildfire. Following this, the then-British High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriott said she was "appalled" by the post and promised to launch an investigation regarding the issue, according to media reports.In addition, Kenyans accused the UK troops of being involved in murdering a woman, Agnes Wanjiru in 2012, who was found dumped in a septic tank after she reportedly went out partying with British soldiers in a hotel in Nanyuki. The access to the hotel in Kenya's capital Nairobi, where it was planned to hold the news conference, was reportedly blocked by a truck with about 20 police officers and two other smaller trucks.Moreover, the head of a human rights group supporting the Lolldaiga people, affected by the fire, James Mwangi revealed that the hotel management received a letter from the police, warning them not to host the event, the outlet said.According to the report, a Nairobi lawyer who represents the Lolldaiga community, Tom Macharia called the actions of the police "bad optics," adding that "if the king is genuine about this restart and resetting the relation with Kenya, he has gotten off on the wrong footing."Following the fire in 2021, the local community filed a lawsuit against BATUK, a Kenyan court ordered the British army to pay compensation, the process is being handled by the so-called Intergovernmental Liaison Committee (IGLC), made up of representatives from both countries.However, on October 20, a lack of compensation over the fire was condemned by the residents in central Kenya.The visit of the king and his wife Queen Camilla to Kenya is to kick off on Tuesday and will last until November 3. This trip will be the first for Charles since becoming king, and his fourth official visit to the country overall.According to Buckingham Palace, the visit will aim to recognize "painful aspects of the UK and Kenya's shared history." The East African country was under the British colonial rule for over 60 years and gained its independence in 1963.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231030/uk-never-intended-to-get-rid-of-its-colonial-legacy-prof-on-uk-kenya-controversial-ties--1063195105.html
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king charles iii, kenya, united kingdom (uk), nairobi, military, military excercises, east africa
king charles iii, kenya, united kingdom (uk), nairobi, military, military excercises, east africa
Talks of Allegations of UK Army Abuses Reportedly Blocked by Kenya Ahead of King Charles III's Visit
Under an agreement between the two countries, several British short-term military training teams are deployed in Kenya. However, their deployment has been marked by some incidents that fueled public outrage seeking for justice to be served.
A news conference, aimed to air allegations of human rights and environmental abuses by the British army in Kenya was blocked by the country's police ahead of
King Charles III visit to the African state, which will begin on Tuesday, media reported.
The allegations concern the damage caused during a military exercise in 2021 conducted by the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK), based in the country's town of Nanyuki. During this military exercise, a devastating fire broke out in the state's Lolldaiga area, as a result of which over 4,800 hectares (12,000 acres) of land were ravaged and locals received injuries.
In 2021, a UK soldier seemed to take responsibility on social networks for starting the wildfire. Following this, the then-British High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriott said she was "appalled" by the post and promised to launch an investigation regarding the issue, according to media reports.
In addition, Kenyans accused the UK troops of being involved in
murdering a woman, Agnes Wanjiru in 2012, who was found dumped in a septic tank after she reportedly went out partying with British soldiers in a hotel in Nanyuki.
The access to the hotel in Kenya's capital Nairobi, where it was planned to hold the news conference, was reportedly blocked by a truck with about 20 police officers and two other smaller trucks.
Moreover, the head of a human rights group supporting the Lolldaiga people, affected by the fire, James Mwangi revealed that the hotel management received a letter from the police, warning them not to host the event, the outlet said.
According to the report, a Nairobi lawyer who represents the Lolldaiga community, Tom Macharia called the actions of the police "bad optics," adding that "if the king is genuine about this restart and resetting the relation with Kenya, he has gotten off on the wrong footing."
Following the fire in 2021, the local community filed a lawsuit against BATUK, a Kenyan court ordered the British army to pay compensation, the process is being handled by the so-called Intergovernmental Liaison Committee (IGLC), made up of representatives from both countries.
However, on October 20, a lack of compensation over the fire
was condemned by the residents in central Kenya.
The visit of the king and his wife Queen Camilla to Kenya is to kick off on Tuesday and will last until November 3. This trip will be the first for Charles since becoming king, and his fourth official visit to the country overall.
According to Buckingham Palace, the visit will aim to recognize "painful aspects of the UK and Kenya's shared history." The East African country was under the
British colonial rule for over 60 years and gained its independence in 1963.
