https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231117/gang-attack-on-ngo-chief-investigating-batuk-uk-says-kenya-should-handle-case-1063612102.html
Gang Attack on NGO Chief Investigating BATUK: UK Says Kenya Should Handle Case
Gang Attack on NGO Chief Investigating BATUK: UK Says Kenya Should Handle Case
Sputnik Africa
James Mwangi Macharia is the executive chairman of a Kenyan NGO working with victims of the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK), whose soldiers are... 17.11.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-11-17T17:17+0100
2023-11-17T17:17+0100
2023-11-17T17:51+0100
sub-saharan africa
united kingdom (uk)
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east africa
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The UK Ministry of Defense has commented on the recent attack on James Mwangi Macharia, Executive Chairman of the African Center for Corrective and Preventive Action (ACCPA), saying the case must be dealt with under Kenyan jurisdiction and that the agency could not make any assessment.Murrison's written reply came in response to a question from Kenny MacAskill, a Scottish member of the House of Commons, about whether the attack was related to the activist's investigation.In an interview with Sputnik Africa on Thursday, Macharia said that the activities of his NGO "are irritating so many people somewhere."He also revealed his plans to seek political asylum for the safety of his family, including in Russia. At the same time, the activist assured that he "still feels the need to continue fighting for my people."BATUK, he pointed out a day earlier, does not have the best reputation in the East African nation. He noted that many Kenyans are in favor of sending the unit out of the country or "shutting it down."The unit's name has been linked to many atrocities, including damages during a military exercise in 2021. During the exercise, a devastating fire broke out in the Lolldaiga region, destroying more than 4,800 hectares of land, affecting local residents.The British military unit is also accused of killing people and livestock after soldiers left unexploded shells in reserve areas and settlements during training exercises.Another notorious case was the brutal murder of a 21-year-old woman, Agnes Wanjiru, allegedly by BATUK soldiers in 2012. In 2021, one of the unit's soldiers reportedly confessed to the murder to his comrades, but no one has been prosecuted for the crime since then.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231116/melting-sovereign-immunity-ngo-chief-on-inquiry-into-batuk-atrocities-in-kenya-1063592944.html
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Gang Attack on NGO Chief Investigating BATUK: UK Says Kenya Should Handle Case
17:17 17.11.2023 (Updated: 17:51 17.11.2023) James Mwangi Macharia is the executive chairman of a Kenyan NGO working with victims of the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK), whose soldiers are allegedly responsible for many deadly atrocities. During an interview with Sputnik Africa, Macharia said that a gang recently broke into his home and took his laptops, phones and documents.
The UK Ministry of Defense has commented on the recent attack on James Mwangi Macharia, Executive Chairman of the African Center for Corrective and Preventive Action (ACCPA), saying the case must be dealt with under Kenyan jurisdiction and that the agency could not make any assessment.
"The jurisdiction of this investigation lies with the Kenyan authorities. It would be inappropriate for UK Ministry of Defense to make any assessment of potential motives," Andrew Murrison, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Defence, said.
Murrison's written reply came in response to a question from Kenny MacAskill, a Scottish member of the House of Commons, about whether the attack was related to the activist's investigation.
In an interview with
Sputnik Africa on Thursday, Macharia said that the
activities of his NGO "are irritating so many people somewhere."
"I feel people are not happy with whatever I'm doing, and I [now have] to salvage my family" the activist admitted.
He also revealed his plans to seek political asylum for the safety of his family, including in Russia. At the same time, the activist assured that he "still feels the need to continue fighting for my people."
BATUK, he pointed out a day earlier, does not have the best reputation in the East African nation. He noted that many Kenyans are in favor of sending the unit out of the country or "shutting it down."
The unit's name has been linked to many atrocities, including damages during a military exercise in 2021. During the exercise, a devastating fire
broke out in the Lolldaiga region, destroying more than 4,800 hectares of land, affecting local residents.
The British military unit is also accused of killing people and livestock after soldiers left unexploded shells in reserve areas and settlements during training exercises.
Another notorious case was the brutal murder of a 21-year-old woman, Agnes Wanjiru, allegedly by BATUK soldiers in 2012. In 2021, one of the unit's soldiers reportedly confessed to the murder to his comrades, but no one has been prosecuted for the crime since then.
