The British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) has launched a Sh2.78 million land restoration project targeting the Ilmotiok pastoral community in Laikipia North in a move aimed at rehabilitating degraded land and strengthening livelihoods in the semi-arid region.
The initiative, unveiled on February 11, 2026, will see 30 acres of community land restored through reseeding and improved pasture management to support livestock farming, the main economic activity in the area. The project is being implemented in partnership with Mpala Research Centre, whose agricultural and livestock experts will guide the community on sustainable land use practices.
Of the 30 acres, five acres have been set aside for food crop production by the Ilmotiok Women’s Group to improve household nutrition and generate additional income. The diversification into crop farming is expected to cushion families against recurring droughts and unpredictable rainfall patterns that frequently disrupt pastoral livelihoods.
BATUK also donated 20 beehives to the Ilmotiok Women’s Group to strengthen its beekeeping enterprise. Beekeeping is already a significant economic activity in the area and is viewed as environmentally friendly, promoting sustainable livelihoods, women’s empowerment and human-wildlife coexistence.
Speaking during the launch at Ilmotiok village, BATUK Commander Col. James Greaves said the community is located near one of BATUK’s operating bases, Swara, and the Mpala training area, making collaboration natural and mutually beneficial.
“Our participation in this project reflects our dedication to making a positive and lasting impact on our host communities here in Laikipia County. This project is more than restoring land and growing crops — it is about empowering local communities with the tools, knowledge and support they need to rehabilitate degraded areas, improve agricultural productivity and protect vital ecosystems,” said Col. Greaves.
He added that the initiative demonstrates the strength of partnerships between BATUK, the Kenyan Government, development partners and the local community.
Acting British High Commissioner to Kenya Dr Ed Barnett noted that the UK–Kenya Strategic Partnership on security and defence continues to deliver tangible benefits beyond military cooperation.
“Our defence cooperation has delivered world-class training for UK and Kenyan Defence Forces, with around 1,100 Kenya Defence Forces personnel trained per year, medical support to 17,000 patients in the local community, and water access to 29 schools and orphanages in the last financial year,” Dr Barnett said.
He emphasised that the land regeneration project is a product of collaboration between BATUK, Mpala Research Centre, local authorities and the Ilmotiok community.
“These partnerships are built on trust, respect and genuine engagement. We remain committed to advancing our shared priorities and delivering meaningful change for Kenya and the UK together,” he added.
Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya welcomed the initiative, saying BATUK’s partnership with local communities has played a significant role in uplifting young people in the region through training and skills development.
“Some of our community members have grown from very low levels to leadership positions through enhanced training by BATUK. As a government, we wish to see this enhanced and scaled up even further,” said Tuya.
Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere also lauded the project and called for expanded community engagement, particularly in environmental conservation training to help residents better adapt to climate change.
Beneficiary Nelly Keshine expressed gratitude for the beehives, noting that the support would empower women in a largely patriarchal society.
“Here men own almost everything, but with this project women can earn profits from the sale of honey they harvest,” she said.
Like many arid and semi-arid counties in Kenya, Laikipia faces climate change-related challenges, including prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall. These conditions have led to food and water shortages, conflicts over shrinking natural resources such as pasture and water, and declining agricultural productivity.
Through expert guidance from Mpala Research Centre, the land restoration project will promote sustainable pasture management, improve agricultural productivity and enhance profitability in livestock rearing and beekeeping. The initiative is expected to boost household incomes while strengthening environmental conservation efforts.
BATUK, a permanent training support unit based in Nanyuki, conducts a wide range of exercises for British and Kenyan troops, including infantry, artillery, logistics, engineering and medical training. The unit employs about 600 Kenyan staff and engages casual labourers during major training exercises in Nanyuki and Nairobi.
The Ilmotiok project underscores a broader commitment to linking defence cooperation with community development and climate resilience in Laikipia County.
By Martin Munyi
