A British soldier has been arrested in Kenya following a rape accusation, prompting an investigation by U.K. military police.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed the arrest but declined to release further details, citing an ongoing inquiry by the Defence Serious Crime Command.
British media, including the BBC, reported the allegation involves rape, though no formal charges have yet been announced by authorities.
Under a longstanding defence agreement, thousands of British troops train annually in Kenya, with 200 stationed there permanently to support local forces.
Despite the cooperation, local communities have voiced concern over misconduct by foreign soldiers based near the town of Nanyuki.
Tensions have simmered since the 2012 death of Agnes Wanjiru, a 21-year-old Kenyan woman last seen with British troops before her body was found in a septic tank.
Wanjiru’s family has pursued justice for over a decade, urging British authorities to prosecute the soldier suspected in her death.
In April, U.K. Defence Secretary John Healey met Wanjiru’s relatives and pledged support in their quest for accountability.
The British Army has since opened a broader inquiry into allegations of misconduct by its personnel stationed in Kenya.
“All British personnel in Kenya receive mandatory conduct training and are briefed on behavioural expectations,” the Defence Ministry stated.
Officials stressed a policy of zero tolerance for misconduct, both on and off duty, as pressure mounts for transparency and justice.
This latest arrest risks straining diplomatic ties and reigniting public anger over the military’s presence in the region.
It also casts a renewed spotlight on how foreign forces are held accountable while operating abroad.