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British army in Kenya: Soldier arrested over rape allegation | British army in Kenya: Soldier arrested over rape allegation |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A UK soldier has been accused of raping a woman near a British army training camp in Kenya where another soldier was previously accused of murder. | |
The alleged rape happened last month close to the British Army Training Unit Kenya (Batuk) near the town of Nanyuki, 200km (125 miles) north of the capital, Nairobi. | The alleged rape happened last month close to the British Army Training Unit Kenya (Batuk) near the town of Nanyuki, 200km (125 miles) north of the capital, Nairobi. |
The man was arrested and questioned following the alleged incident, which occurred after a group of soldiers visited a bar in the town. | |
An investigation is being carried out by UK military police from the Defence Serious Crime Unit, which looks into crimes allegedly committed by British service personnel in the UK and overseas. | |
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed in a statement that a "service person" had been arrested in Kenya. | The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed in a statement that a "service person" had 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. | "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. |
The alleged rape involving a soldier from the British base in Kenya follows previous allegations that a soldier stationed in Kenya was involved in the murder of a local woman in 2012. | The alleged rape involving a soldier from the British base in Kenya follows previous allegations that a soldier stationed in Kenya was involved in the murder of a local woman in 2012. |
The body of Agnes Wanjiru, who was 21 and a mother of one, was found in a septic tank near the Batuk base three weeks after she disappeared, allegedly after spending the evening with British soldiers. | The body of Agnes Wanjiru, who was 21 and a mother of one, was found in a septic tank near the Batuk base three weeks after she disappeared, allegedly after spending the evening with British soldiers. |
The Sunday Times reported in 2021 that a British soldier was believed to have been responsible for her murder. | The Sunday Times reported in 2021 that a British soldier was believed to have been responsible for her murder. |
The MoD has since said it was co-operating with a Kenyan investigation into the incident. | |
The Batuk base was established in 1964 shortly after the East African nation gained independence from the UK. | The Batuk base was established in 1964 shortly after the East African nation gained independence from the UK. |
The UK military has an agreement with Kenya under which it can deploy up to six army battalions a year for periods of training at the site. | The UK military has an agreement with Kenya under which it can deploy up to six army battalions a year for periods of training at the site. |
But the British army has faced a string of allegations about the conduct of some UK personnel at the camp. | But the British army has faced a string of allegations about the conduct of some UK personnel at the camp. |
A public inquiry set up by Kenyan MPs last year heard details of alleged mistreatment of local people by British soldiers. | A public inquiry set up by Kenyan MPs last year heard details of alleged mistreatment of local people by British soldiers. |
The allegations including a reported hit-and-run incident, as well as claims that some British soldiers had got local women pregnant before abandoning them and their children when they returned to the UK. | |
You may also be interested in: | You may also be interested in: |
Agnes Wanjiru murder: Kenya family's anger over UK army 'cover-up' | Agnes Wanjiru murder: Kenya family's anger over UK army 'cover-up' |
Kenyans sue the British army over fire at wildlife sanctuary | Kenyans sue the British army over fire at wildlife sanctuary |
Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. | Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. |
Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica | Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica |