UK pleads for renewal of deal to train troops

Wardens from Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Forest Service show their anti-poaching skills after a two-day training at the British Army Training Unit Kenya (Batuk), at Mt Kenya forest on December 5, 2013. Batuk has asked Kenya to renew an agreement that allows it to train about 10,000 troops annually in the country. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• For the past 40 years, the British Army Training Unit Kenya (Batuk) has been bringing soldiers to Laikipia and Samburu for combat training.
• Col Vallings said he hopes the two countries will agree on their future cooperation so that the troops can contribute to such community projects.

By MUCHIRI GITONGA
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The British Army has asked Kenya to renew an agreement that allows it to train about 10,000 troops annually in the country.

For the past 40 years, the British Army Training Unit Kenya (Batuk) has been bringing soldiers to Laikipia and Samburu for combat training.

However, the bilateral agreement is marked by uncertainty after Kenya expressed reservations with the current arrangement.

A memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries expires in April next year. Kenya has since June this year indicated that it wants the deal reviewed to be in line with the Constitution.

“We are waiting for the Kenya Government to sign the agreement, maybe for another 40 years, because Batuk is fully embedded in the communities around here,” the Batuk Commander, Colonel Tom Vallings, said on Sunday.

PROMOTING ECO-TOURISM
He spoke during the commissioning of Likii Bridge in Mt Kenya Forest. The bridge was constructed by Batuk, Kenya Wildlife Service, Rhino Ark and Kenya Forest Service.

Col Vallings said he hopes the two countries will agree on their future cooperation so that the troops can contribute to such community projects.

This is the second bridge Batuk has commissioned this year in Mt Kenya Forest after it was built by the Royal Engineers.

Col Vallings said such projects showed how much Batuk wanted to be part of Kenya, particularly the Laikipia community.

The bridges are expected to boost conservation efforts and promote eco-tourism within the Mt Kenya National Park. Such projects help to improve the skills of the soldiers, the commander said.

Assistant KWS Director for Mountain Conservation Area Aggrey Maumo said collaboration between Batuk and his organisation involved development of infrastructure.