British High commissioner to Kenya John Matt has assured that the British government is investigating all atrocities committed in Kenya by their soldiers.
Speaking in Nanyuki during the commissioning of a dining hall built for Temakis comprehensive school by the British Army on Tuesday, Matt reassured them of their commitment to cooperate in the ongoing human and environmental injustices allegedly committed by British soldiers.
“ We take the allegations and events incredibly seriously, we are the first to acknowledge that people have been abused, some have lost their lives, the environment has been damaged and the standards have not been high as we would have wanted historically,” acknowledged the High commissioner.
He insisted that London is committed to ensuring cooperation with Nairobi on these cases.
“We take every event, every action seriously and we are investigating. It is our obligation and commitment to these communities to ensure that we investigate, review, redress and offer support the community needs,” said Matt, adding that the British government was keen in fostering good relationships with the communities where they conduct their activities.
His reassurance comes when the British army has been facing backlash from communities in Laikipia and Samburu counties including loss of life and destruction of the environment.
BATUK has constructed a dining hall at the school being one among several other Community Social Responsibility (CSR) programs it has been conducting in the areas around their training camp in Nanyuki.
‘’Its these communities that are of significant importance and we take that responsibility to be a close and active member of these communities as well as good neighbors profoundly seriously,” noted the High commissioner.
At the same time, he highlighted that Kenya was their closest security and defense partner across the African continent hence BATUK was a strategic asset for both countries.
Matt revealed that the meeting with both the Laikipia governor Joshua Irungu and the County Administration aimed to identify areas of priorities for the communities in the devolved unit.
By Muturi Mwangi
