2 vehicles stolen from tightly guarded UK military installation in Kenya

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - Detectives in Kenya on Monday are investigating the disappearance of two vehicles used in training by the British Army Training Unit (BATUK) after an audit of military training base vehicles.

BATUK spokesperson Daniel Johnson confirmed to reporters that the vehicles disappeared from the highly guarded military base located in Nanyuki in Laikipia County on the western slopes of Mount Kenya.

A police officer who spoke to the Standard Newspaper said police are working to get information behind the syndicate, noting that the matter had been reported to the Nanyuki police station.

“The theft of two vehicles from the BATUK is under investigation,” a communication officer from BATUK who wished not to be named told the newspaper.

Thousands of soldiers have received training from the BATUK camp.

BATUK consists of around 100 permanent staff and a reinforcing short tour cohort of another 280 personnel, according to the UK Ministry of Defense. Under an agreement with the Kenyan government, up to six infantry battalions per year carry out eight-week exercises in Kenya.

There are also Royal Engineer exercises, which carry out civil engineering projects and medical deployments, which provide primary health care assistance to the civilian community.