Ex-DP Rigathi Gachagua during a church service at St. Teresa Catholic Church in Imenti Central Constituency, Meru County, on Sunday/ HANDOUT 

Ex-DP Rigathi Gachagua has claimed that the United Kingdom cancelled its military cooperation with Kenya and is shifting to Tanzania over alleged bribery demands by Parliament.

Gachagua claimed that the National Assembly Committee on Defence and Foreign Affairs had demanded Sh3 billion to allow the renewal of the deal.

But the Committee through its Chairman Nelson Koech, dismissed the allegations, saying ratification of treaties and international agreements is a function of the executive.

"The point of contention is well known and long-standing: it concerns legal jurisdiction over British Personnel, the question of immunity and the accountability mechanisms governing the presence of foreign forces on Kenyan soil, issues brought into sharp focus by the murder of the late Agnes Wanjiru and the long-standing grievances of affected communities in Nanyuki and Laikipia," Koech stated.

Gachagua had claimed the demand for kickbacks has forced the British Army to move the military training camp from Kenya to the neighbouring Tanzania

Speaking during a church service at St. Teresa Catholic Church in Imenti Central Constituency, Meru County, on Sunday, Gachagua alleged that corruption within the government and Parliament had derailed the agreement governing the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK).

"Our country has a problem. There is too much corruption," Gachagua said.

He claimed BATUK, which has operated in Nanyuki for decades, had been forced to relocate planned training activities after negotiations on the renewed defence pact stalled.

"In Nanyuki, there is BATUK. It has been there during the time of Kenyatta, Moi, Kibaki and Uhuru. It benefits the people, trains our officers, supports counter-terrorism and employs more than 500 locals. It helps grow the economy in Nanyuki town," he said.

Gachagua alleged that members of Parliament handling the agreement had frustrated the renewal process.

"The committee has taken BATUK round in circles for eight months. They have now cancelled the contract and taken it to Tanzania,” he claimed.

His remarks came after the UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that a planned British military exercise scheduled for Laikipia in September would no longer take place in Kenya because the licences required for the exercise had not been issued.

"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," a UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson said.

The ministry, however, emphasized that it remained committed to its long-standing defence partnership with Kenya and the continued presence of BATUK in the country.

"We will continue to engage closely with the Kenyan government to support the resumption of training in country at the earliest appropriate opportunity," the spokesperson added.

The delay stems from the pending renewal of the Kenya-UK Defence Cooperation Agreement, which expired in October 2021.

Negotiations have largely focused on legal jurisdiction over serious crimes involving British soldiers stationed in Kenya.

The National Assembly's Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee has recommended approval of the revised agreement but insisted that serious offences, including murder, should be prosecuted in Kenyan courts.

Committee chairman Nelson Koech said the issue of jurisdiction remained central to the discussions.

"We insist murder must be tried here. It is really an issue of jurisdiction," Koech said.

The negotiations have also been influenced by the case of Agnes Wanjiru, whose body was found in a septic tank in Nanyuki in 2012.

Former British soldier Robert James Purkiss was arrested in the United Kingdom in November 2025 and is contesting extradition to Kenya over the murder charge, which he denies.

Beyond the BATUK issue, Gachagua launched a scathing political offensive against President Ruto, accusing him of attempting to divide the Mt Kenya residents.

Gachagua vowed to ringfence Mt Kenya East and West from Ruto’s overture.

"Mt Kenya has no boundaries. Kikuyu, Embu, Meru and Tharaka Nithi are one people. Dividing the mountain is like trying to cut a Mugumo tree using a razor blade," he said.

The former deputy president vowed to intensify his political campaigns across Meru, saying he would counter every visit President Ruto makes to the region ahead of the next election.

"If he comes to Meru, I will follow him. I will not allow William Ruto to come and confuse the people of Mt Kenya again," Gachagua said.

"If there is a place Kasongo will get a shock of his life, it is here in Meru," Gachagua said. "This coming election is not about electing someone. It is about removing someone. When he is removed, another leader will come."

Gachagua said the country had become unsafe because of goons attacking political events.

He challenged Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to assure investors and the international community that security had been restored.

"I am telling foreigners that Kenya is not yet safe because of goons. The government must deal with insecurity to restore confidence among investors and visitors," he said.

The story highlights escalating political tensions as former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua links the delayed renewal of the Kenya-UK defence pact to alleged corruption while intensifying his attacks on President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 elections.

It combines strong political rhetoric with a significant foreign policy issue affecting security cooperation and local livelihoods. The inclusion of the UK Ministry of Defence's official position provides balance by distinguishing verified developments from Gachagua's allegations. The Star