The National Assembly Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations led by MP Nelson Koech on Tuesday grilled government officials over allegations that illegal activities were going on at the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK).
During previous public hearings held in Laikipia, Isiolo, and Samburu counties, residents raised concerns about the alleged smuggling of contraband goods at the camp.
Members of Parliament wanted to know if the government officials were aware of any of these activities and their response to the claims. According to the residents, contraband goods, particularly mobile phone accessories, were discovered making their way into the facility.
The residents also alleged that AFCO cigarettes were smuggled using BATUK’s security containers in the camp.
Responding to the claims, the government officials assured the committee that the government has deployed advanced surveillance measures, including scanners and CCTV, to detect illegal activities at the ports and airports, and so if any illegal goods were smuggled an alarm would be raised from there.
The official also revealed that BATUK’s facilities are restricted military zones, limiting their access and oversight within those installations.
However, the officials revealed that they were yet to receive any formal complaint about the contraband goods and smuggling allegations but assured the committee that the government collaborates with various government agencies, including the Ministry of Defence, Immigration, and Interpol, to ensure compliance with Kenya's customs laws.
Apart from the contraband goods, the committee also raised a flag on BATUK's compliance with local customs regulations, particularly regarding the importation and use of vehicles and other goods under the exemption regulations.
According to the Government official, BATUK being a privileged institution under the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA) of 2004, imported 223 motor vehicles under exemption for various purposes since 2019.
The soldiers in the camp imported 49 motor vehicles for the transport of goods, 154 for transporting persons, and 20 special-purpose vehicles.
The official could, however, not give an account of the concerns raised regarding individual soldiers’ vehicles, for which they deferred to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
The British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK) is a training support unit of the British Army located in Kenya. These training areas make possible combined arms light and mechanized role infantry battlegroup and brigade exercises, as well as civil engineering and medical projects for the local population, funded by the British Army.
