The British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) will proceed with its planned Exercise HARAKA STORM later this year after the Kenyan government granted the licences and permissions required for the military exercise, the United Kingdom government has confirmed.
The announcement ends uncertainty over the fate of the training exercise and signals the continuation of the long-standing military partnership between Kenya and the United Kingdom.
In a statement, a UK government spokesperson said the necessary approvals had now been secured, allowing preparations for the exercise to move forward as scheduled.
"We can confirm that the Kenyan Government has agreed to issue the necessary licences and permissions for Exercise HARAKA STORM to take place in Kenya later this year. We value the close cooperation and shared commitment between the UK and Kenya which have enabled this progress," the spokesperson said.
BATUK, which is based in Laikipia County, has for decades served as the British Army's permanent training facility in Kenya. The unit hosts thousands of British soldiers annually, providing training in varied terrain and climatic conditions designed to prepare troops for operational deployments around the world.
Exercise HARAKA STORM is among BATUK's flagship training programmes and is expected to involve British military personnel conducting exercises in partnership with the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
The training is aimed at enhancing operational readiness, improving interoperability and strengthening military cooperation between the two countries.
The UK government said detailed planning by the British Army had ensured that the exercise could still be conducted within the original timeline despite earlier uncertainty surrounding regulatory approvals.
"As a result, and following detailed work by the Army, we believe that it is possible to deliver the training in Kenya over the same time period as previously planned. Exercise HARAKA STORM will now take place later this year," the spokesperson said.
The UK described BATUK as a key pillar of the defence relationship between the two countries, noting that the partnership continues to deliver mutual security and professional training benefits.
"The UK remains committed to working closely with the Government of Kenya to further strengthen our deep and enduring military partnership, which continues to deliver for both the UK and Kenya and advances our shared aims and interests," the spokesperson added.
BATUK has operated in Kenya under a bilateral defence cooperation framework, with its activities ranging from military training and joint exercises to humanitarian support and community development initiatives in areas surrounding its training locations.
The confirmation that Exercise HARAKA STORM will proceed is expected to reinforce defence collaboration between Kenya and the UK, underscoring BATUK's continued role in advancing regional security cooperation and military preparedness.