British Soldier Arrested in Kenya Over Rape Allegations

A British soldier stationed in Kenya has been arrested on rape charges following an incident last month. The case brings to light previous allegations against soldiers, including the 2012 murder of Agnes Wanjiru. The Ministry of Defence insists criminal actions will not be tolerated, while local authorities investigate further gang behavior in the military community.

A British soldier stationed at an army barracks in Kenya was arrested this week over serious allegations of rape. The arrest follows an incident that reportedly took place last month after a group of soldiers visited a bar in Nanyuki, which is close to the British Army Training Unit Kenya (Batuk). This location has a troubling past, having been linked to the 2012 murder of a local woman, Agnes Wanjiru.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that one arrest has been made as part of an ongoing investigation stemming from the Nanyuki army base. A spokesperson stated, “We can confirm the arrest of a service person 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.” They added that, due to the ongoing nature of the investigation by the Defence Serious Crime Unit, further comments would not be made.

Local military police have also turned their attention to the owner of the bar that the soldiers frequented on the night of the alleged incident, as well as several security guards who were present. The bar owner recounted that soldiers enjoy visiting, but some have been banned due to excessive drinking habits. He noted, “Sometimes they get too drunk and I drop them at the gate for free.”

This arrest comes amidst broader scrutiny of British soldiers’ conduct in Kenya, as numerous allegations of serious crimes—including previous instances of rape and the murder of Agnes Wanjiru—have emerged. According to reports from The Sunday Times, Wanjiru was allegedly killed by a soldier from the Duke of Lancaster Regiment in March 2012, but the military took minimal action against the cumulative accusations.

Wanjiru’s murder, reported by soldiers almost immediately after it occurred, was allegedly met with silence from military officials. Reports indicated that soldiers were told to remain quiet regarding the incident or face extended deployments in Kenya. Military correspondence revealed that key details regarding the murder were not disclosed to the Kenyan police when Wanjiru’s body was found.

Esther Njoki, Wanjiru’s niece and family spokesperson, voiced her concerns over the implications of the latest arrest, highlighting systemic issues regarding the conduct of British soldiers in the region. “I hope justice is served in this case,” she expressed.

The UK Defence Secretary, John Healey, has publicly committed to pursuing justice for Wanjiru, having met with her family to address their ongoing fight for accountability. He remarked, “It was deeply humbling to meet the family of Agnes Wanjiru. In the 13 years since her death, they have shown such strength in their long fight for justice. I reiterated my determination to see a resolution to the still unresolved case.”

Currently, Wanjiru’s alleged murderer remains unnamed and at large, living in southern England. A Kenyan prosecutor stated that the investigation into the murder is complete, and they are currently evaluating the evidence.

In summary, this arrest of a British soldier in Kenya over rape allegations points to an ongoing issue surrounding military conduct and accountability. The troubling history linked to the British Army’s presence in Kenya raises serious questions about the systemic problems that may exist within military interactions in local contexts. As investigations continue, the call for justice for Agnes Wanjiru and for victims of crime remains urgent and paramount.

Original Source: www.lbc.co.uk