Many Kenyan Women Say British Soldiers Raped Them and Abandoned Children They Fathered

In Archer’s Post, a small town in Kenya, 17-year-old Marian Pannalossy lives as a mixed-race individual, a rare and often ostracised identity in her community. 

She believes her father was a British soldier, but she has never met him or known his name.

Marian is part of a group of mixed-race children whose mothers claim they were conceived through rape by British soldiers training in Kenya. 

Her mother, Lydia Juma, was among many Kenyan women who filed complaints with the UK military over such abuses. 

Historical Context

The British Army Training Unit, Kenya (BATUK), headquartered in Nanyuki, has been operating in the region, training soldiers in the expansive wildlife conservancies of Laikipia and Samburu counties. 

Allegations of rape and other crimes by British soldiers date back to the 1950s. Women from the Maasai and Samburu communities have accused the soldiers of rape, and these cases were represented in a landmark civil case in London in the early 2000s.

Recent Developments

The Defense, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations Committee of Kenya’s National Assembly is currently investigating BATUK. The committee has held public hearings in several areas where British troops train, collecting complaints about abuse, exploitation, and sexual assaults. The investigation will include testimonies from BATUK officials and the British High Commissioner to Kenya.

Legal Actions and Implications

A significant case involves Agnes Wanjiru, who disappeared in 2012 after being seen with British soldiers. Her body was later found in a septic tank, and despite a Kenyan inquest ruling her death a murder, the British soldier allegedly involved has not faced charges. This case has added to the scrutiny of British Army operations in Kenya.

Under a new addition to the 2021 defence pact between the UK and Kenya, British soldiers can now be sued in Kenyan courts for any wrongdoing. This provision has renewed hope for justice among the victims. Kenya has no statute of limitations on human rights abuse cases which would allow for these historical grievances to be addressed in court.

Marian’s Role

Marian Pannalossy will be the lead plaintiff in the renewed legal efforts. Her story, along with that of her late mother and other women, underscores the long-standing issues of abuse and the quest for justice.

Response from British Authorities

The British High Commission has stated that it takes all allegations seriously and commits to thorough investigations. It emphasizes the prohibition of any sexual activity involving abuse of power, whether in the UK or abroad, and pledges accountability for any personnel involved in such activities.

Broader Impact

The renewed scrutiny of BATUK’s operations and the potential legal battles could have significant implications for the British Army's training activities in Kenya. It highlights the ongoing issues of military presence and its impact on local communities, especially regarding the protection of vulnerable individuals as mandated by Kenya’s constitution.
Source:https://edition.cnn.com/ 
Image:https://krdo.com/ and https://sg.news.yahoo.com/