UK soldier questioned in Kenya over rape allegation near BATUK camp in Nanyuki
The UK Ministry of Defence has since confirmed the development in a statement, noting that one of its "servicemen" has been arrested in Kenya.
A British soldier based at the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) camp in Nanyuki is under investigation by authorities over allegations of rape linked to an incident that occurred near the camp in May.
The incident reportedly occurred during a night out at a local entertainment venue, where one soldier, whose name has been withheld, was arrested over his alleged involvement.
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According to the BBC, the UK military police from the Defence Serious Crime Unit, which investigates offences committed by British military personnel both in the UK and overseas, is currently handling the investigation.
Similarly, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has since confirmed the development in a statement, noting that one of its "servicemen" has been arrested in Kenya.
"Unacceptable and criminal behaviour has absolutely no place in our Armed Forces and any reporting of a serious crime by serving personnel is investigated independently from their chain of command," the MoD said.
This is not the first time a British soldier at BATUK has faced serious allegations.
Unresolved case
The 2012 case of Agnes Wanjiru, a 21-year-old Kenyan mother found dead in a septic tank near Nanyuki after a night out with soldiers, remains unresolved and continues to cast a shadow over the presence of British forces in Kenya.
While the UK allowed a Kenyan multi-agency team to travel and interrogate the suspect, the outcome of that mission has never been made public by Kenyan authorities, further frustrating Wanjiru's family and human rights campaigners.
The issue of extradition looms large.
For the soldier to face trial in Kenya, the UK would need to agree to extradition, a rare occurrence, particularly in military cases.
Despite the gravity of the matter, the Kenyan government has yet to formally request extradition or renegotiate the defence cooperation framework.
As legal and diplomatic avenues narrow, some suggest that pursuing a civil case for compensation may be more practical.
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