The United Kingdom(UK) has announced that a planned military training exercise in Kenya later this year will no longer take place.
In a statement issued on Thursday, July 23, the UK said the planned training exercise was cancelled after the necessary licences required to conduct it were not issued.
The British government said the planned military exercise will now take place outside Kenya after the required approvals were not secured.
“The UK highly values its relationship with Kenya, which is underpinned by mutual benefit, respect and cooperation. The UK-Kenya Defence Partnership is one of the great strengths of our relationship. Our joint training and operations with the Kenyan Defence Forces are keeping both Kenyan and British people safe.
“It is with regret that the necessary licences required to allow training to take place in Laikipia later this year have not been forthcoming. As a result, the planned training will now be conducted at an alternative location outside Kenya,” the statement read.
The UK acknowledged that the decision would affect communities that were expected to benefit from the economic activity associated with the exercise, particularly in Laikipia County, where military training has historically generated business for local hotels, suppliers, transport providers and other enterprises.
“We recognise the disappointment this decision will cause for those who would have benefited from the economic activity generated by the exercise. All UK training activity in Kenya is dependent on permission from the Government of Kenya,” the UK said.
Despite the setback, the UK reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining strong defence ties with Kenya and expressed hope that military training activities would resume in the country once the necessary approvals are granted.
“We remain committed to our defence partnership with Kenya and will continue to engage closely with the Kenyan Government to support the resumption of training in-country at the earliest appropriate opportunity,” the statement added.
