The National Assembly’s Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee has rejected the Ministry of Defence’s attempt to redirect the inquiry into the conduct of the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) through diplomatic channels.

MPs insisted the matter falls fully under Kenya’s domestic oversight and demanded that BATUK officials appear before Parliament to respond to grave allegations of misconduct, including killings, sexual abuse, torture, and environmental destruction.

During a session chaired by Belgut MP Nelson Koech on Tuesday, lawmakers firmly dismissed the Ministry’s position that the Inter-Governmental Liaison Committee (IGLC), as outlined under Article 24 of the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA), should handle the concerns.

 “The inquiry is not within the purview of the Inter-Governmental Liaison Committee. It is being undertaken by a relevant authority of the Host Nation, in line with domestic law,” Koech said.

The committee stressed that Articles 5(2) and 6(1) of the DCA bind visiting forces to adhere to Kenyan laws, and that Parliament has full authority to summon any party, including foreign military personnel, to provide evidence.

Defence PS Patrick Mariru said the ministry recognises Parliament’s oversight role but still considers the IGLC a formal and preferred channel. “We cannot and are not shielding BATUK. We recognise Parliament’s mandate. We only believe the IGLC offers a formal mechanism for handling such matters,” he told the committee.

But MPs maintained that they cannot delegate or outsource their constitutional role to international forums. “This Committee has the power to invite any person to appear before it to provide evidence or information,” Koech said.

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi said Parliament must uphold the provisions of the Defence Cooperation Agreement and act on behalf of Kenyans. “We have a Defence Cooperation Agreement with the United Kingdom. That agreement must be honoured, and Parliament must pursue its provisions diligently.”

MP Fred Ikana, who was part of a fact-finding mission to Laikipia, said that direct engagement with affected communities is critical. “One life lost is too many,” he said.

His view was echoed by Kwenya Thuku who declared, “This is our country. We must protect our people. We want BATUK officials to appear before us on this inquiry.”

Hon. Abdukadir Mohammed questioned whether the ministry had ever held any meeting with BATUK about the allegations. “Have you ever sat down with BATUK to discuss these concerns? What was their response?” he asked.

The committee disclosed that Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has directed that the inquiry, which has taken more than a year, be concluded urgently. Koech confirmed that both the British High Commissioner and the UK Defence Attaché have indicated their readiness to cooperate and appear before the MPs.

The committee has already conducted hearings in Samburu, Isiolo and Laikipia counties, and received submissions from the Kenya Human Rights Commission, Mau Mau Veterans Association, and other stakeholders. They are probing serious allegations, including the 2012 murder of Agnes Wanjiru, whose body was discovered in a septic tank after she was last seen with British soldiers.

MPs insist that BATUK must answer to Parliament and the people of Kenya on issues ranging from unlawful killings to environmental violations and operational standards, and that all foreign forces must be held accountable under Kenyan law.