An investigation by the British Army has found some soldiers stationed at a controversial base in Kenya continue to use sex workers despite being banned from doing so.Soldiers at the British Army Training Unit Kenya (Batuk) used sex workers “at a low or moderate” level, a report said, adding more work was needed to stamp out the practice.The investigation covered a period of more than two years, examining conduct at the base dating back to July 2022.It was commissioned in October 2024 following an investigation by ITV into the behaviour of soldiers at Batuk, including allegations some army personnel were paying local women for sex.The ITV documentary followed previous concerns raised about Batuk after the death in 2012 of a local woman Agnes Wanjiru, allegedly killed by a British soldier stationed at the base.Since then a string of allegations have been made about the conduct of troops at the training site, which lies near the town of Nanyuki 200km (125 miles) north of Kenya’s capital Nairobi.In 2022, the UK’s Ministry of Defence banned its forces from using sex workers abroad as part of efforts to curb sexual exploitation and abuse across the military.UK Chief of General Staff Gen Sir Roly Walker said in a statement that the army was committed to stopping sexual exploitation by those in its ranks.”The findings of the Service Inquiry I commissioned conclude that transactional sex is still happening in Kenya at a low to moderate level. It should not be happening at all,” he said. “There is absolutely no place for sexual exploitation and abuse by people in the British Army. It is at complete odds with what it means to be a British soldier. It preys on the vulnerable and benefits those who seek to profit from abuse and exploitation,” he added.The service inquiry investigation was carried …
