A Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNHRC) inquiry has uncovered human rights abuses by the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK), exposing deficiencies in victims’ access to justice.

The inquiry, initiated by the National Assembly Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations, challenges lawmakers to strengthen regulations to ensure justice for victims.

KNHRC Commissioner Marion Mutugi informed MPs that the longstanding agreement between Kenya and BATUK has been marred by numerous accusations, currently under investigation, resulting in violations of fundamental human rights.

“There’s a general lack of accountability and access to justice, with victims being denied redress and adequate repatriation,” stated Mutugi.

Emphasizing inadequate local regulations and enforcement mechanisms, KNHRC highlighted the misuse of diplomatic immunity by BATUK offenders, stifling community efforts to seek justice.

Committee chair and Belgut MP Nelson Koech expressed regret over the arduous process victims endure to obtain justice.

“We will thoroughly investigate the violations listed here and ensure justice is achieved for Kenyans,” Koech affirmed.

Reports of sexual violation and exploitation documented by human rights organizations remain uninvestigated, leaving many victims without access to justice.

The commission referenced concerns raised by the Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation Committee (TJRC) regarding the government’s minimal efforts to hold perpetrators accountable.

The inquiry report highlighted a fire training exercise that inadvertently ignited Lolldaiga Conservancy. Despite the jurisdiction of local courts, BATUK claimed state immunity.

Efforts by the Intergovernmental Liaison Committee to address the matter have been thwarted by the British Army, frustrating locals in their pursuit of justice.

“Community members have expressed distrust and frustration with BATUK Liaison officers, further straining relations,” stated the KNHRC Commissioner.

Local communities surrounding the British Army have lost confidence in the justice system, with human rights defenders accusing BATUK of colluding with security agencies to obstruct justice and harass victims.

“Despite pursuing cases with relevant authorities, the prosecution rate of UK soldiers in Kenya remains low due to witnesses’ fear of state retaliation,” noted Mutugi.

For decades, Britain has sent forces to train in Laikipia, amid controversies including accusations of rape and murder, and civilian injuries from munitions.

BATUK’s presence in Kenya has also contributed to economic growth, as visiting soldiers support local businesses and engage in infrastructure projects subcontracted to local firms. By Irene Mwangi, Capital News

Agroup of political parties backing Ursula von der Leyen for a second term in one of the most powerful jobs in Brussels at the head of the European Commission is planning to call for further migration reforms, similar to the UK’s Rwanda policy, to head off the rise of the far right. 

The European People’s party (EPP), an umbrella group of centre-right and conservative parties, has said in the final draft of its manifesto ahead of elections to the European parliament in May that it wants a series of deal with non-EU countries with a view to deporting irregular migrants for asylum processing in “safe” third countries.

The draft advocating a fundamental change in European asylum law will be discussed at the EPP’s annual congress in Bucharest on Wednesday.

But the hardening of migration policy is likely to inflame tensions within parliament and create external political risks for von der Leyen, who must represent the interests of the entire bloc and not one political group in parliament, where the EPP is the largest grouping.

She will be formally selected as the EPP’s official candidate for the European Commission presidency in a vote in Romania on Thursday – meaning that it will back her for a second term in office. 

One Brussels insider said “the socialists will go mad with this” – a reference to the Socialists and Democrats, the second-biggest voting bloc in the European parliament.

“Yet another unsavoury EPP chunk of red meat, meant to attract the far-right vote. It will not work. All the EPP strategy has achieved over the past years, is making the far right bigger. So if they know it doesn’t work, why do they stubbornly repeat the same tactics each time?” said Sophie in ‘t Veld, a Dutch MEP, and the lead representative for the liberal Renew group on the parliament committee for civil liberties, justice and home affairs.

The EPP represents centre-right parties across Europe, including government parties in Greece, Poland, Ireland, Latvia, Croatia, Lithuania, Sweden, Romania, Finland and Luxembourg.

“We want to implement the concept of safe third countries. Anyone applying for asylum in the EU could also be transferred to a safe third country and undergo the asylum process there,” its manifesto says.

But, in what could be seen as a bid to set itself apart from the UK’s controversial Rwanda policy, its manifesto stresses that the “criteria for safe countries shall be in line with the core obligations of the Geneva Refugee Convention and the European convention on human rights”.

It says that neither of the conventions “include the right to freely choose the country of protection.”

Developing the theme further it says that following the “implementation of the third country concept” it proposes that the EU then “admit a quota of people in need of protection through annual humanitarian quotas of vulnerable individuals”.

The publication of the manifesto and the launch of the EPP campaign could be start of a tricky period for von der Leyen.

“I don’t think she will have any difficulty among member states, but the parliamentary vote is another game altogether,” said one diplomat.

While very little legislation is left to negotiate, the bumps on the road to June act as a reminder of how von der Leyen came to power in 2019 as a last minute compromise candidate who was voted in with a wafer thin majority five years ago. Story by Lisa O'Carroll in Brussels, The Guardian

FAI confirms that Drone Racing is to feature at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China. Following the successful debut of the drone racing competition at the 2022 Games in Birmingham, USA, this thrilling air sport is set to captivate audiences once again at The World Games, which runs from 7 to 17 August 2025.

FAI & The World Games

Recognised and supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International World Games Association (IWGA) is a not-for-profit independent international organisation comprising 39 International Sports Federations.

The World Games is an 11-day global multi-sport event held every four years. It features sports which are not part of the Olympic Games, thus providing an important platform for athletes and promotes the selected sports to a significant audience, encouraging funding and growth.

FAI has been involved with The World Games since 1997. The upcoming event in Chengdu will mark the 12th edition of The World Games and the third time an Asian city has hosted the event since its inception in 1981.

Preparations for the Chengdu edition are already underway. Further announcements leading up to the event will include the confirmation of the drone racing venue and the list of the 32 selected pilots. Given the widespread appeal of this sport among youngsters, the Federation anticipates a significant presence of junior competitors, which has been consistent with recent FAI World Drone Racing Championships. Pilots will hail from all corners of the globe, representing both male and female racers.

About drone racing

Drone Racing is an exhilarating, high-speed sport that challenges pilots to outmanoeuvre opponents on specially constructed tracks featuring obstacles.

Key points:

• Drone racing offers equal opportunities for both women and men to excel and become champions.
• Several (up to six at a time) radio-controlled multi-rotor model aircraft compete to be the fastest around a closed circuit.
• The drones used are multi-rotor craft that weigh no more than 1kg. They are equipped with on-board video cameras that transmit real-time video images to the goggles worn by the pilots. This allows them to control the tiny aircraft around the circuit.
• The drones can reach speeds exceeding 160 km/h (100 mph), requiring lightning-fast reflexes from the pilots.
• The circuit includes gates and other obstacles that the pilots must navigate to reach the finish line in the fastest time.
• The events can take place indoors or outdoors.
• Each race generally lasts about three minutes.
• The winners of each race go on to compete against each other in successive races, culminating in a final round that determines the overall champion.

NAIROBI, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President William Ruto on Tuesday called on the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) to enhance regional integration efforts, positioning East Africa as a model for the continent.

Ruto also pointed out that EALA, and other regional parliaments, should also play their role in making the Africa Continental Free Trade Area the next hub of global investment, trade and industry.

"To do this, we have to complete the implementation of all the pillars of EAC integration and critically align our integration agenda with the broader African transformational paradigm under the Africa We Want," he said during the official opening of the third meeting of the second session of the fifth EALA in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.

According to a statement issued by the presidency, Ruto said the continent was wealthy and only needed to have its assets properly valued, noting that Africa would soon be the largest single market in the world.

The Kenyan leader said the EALA should help change the narrative of Africa from a poor continent ridden with conflict and disease to that of immense opportunities.

He said EALA was well-placed to reposition the continent as a destination of great potential and investment.

"It's not tenable for Africa to continue being profiled as a continent of poverty, conflict and disease, yet we have enormous resources, including renewable energy and arable land that, if well used, can transform the lives of our people," Ruto said.

He said EALA must provide a strong framework for sustainable competitive advantage in emerging hi-tech fields such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence, automation, robotics and machine learning.

According to Ruto, the use of technology will enable the region to effectively tackle threats and harness opportunities in a rapidly digitizing global economy.

He emphasized the need for EALA legislators to lend their support to the efforts to roll back the effects of climate change, and especially the declaration of the African Climate Summit held last September.

Ruto said the declaration defines a strong and distinctly African contribution to the global discourse on climate change, humanity's foremost existential challenge.

He said climate action and sustainable development will help boost investment in Africa and kick-start a green industrial revolution.

Ruto called for a new financing mechanism that is fair and equitable to countries of the Global North and Global South alike, noting that there was a problem in the international financial system.

EAC Council of Ministers Chairperson Deng Alor Kuol, who is also the minister for EAC Affairs in South Sudan, said peace and stability remain key to increased trade and investments in the region. - Xinhua