Kenya clears 800 British soldiers to return home

British High Commissioner Christian Turner

Nairobi, Kenya: Kenya is in the process of issuing diplomatic clearance to 800 British soldiers who were stuck in the country to return to the UK.

The British High Commission in Nairobi Wednesday indicated that the delay in the clearance had been resolved and the military co-operation between the two countries had not been affected.

The High Commission said that the training of British soldiers in Kenya will go on.

Wednesday, The Standard reported that the diplomatic row between Kenya and UK had intensified after the UK allegedly expelled five senior Kenya Defence Forces officers, who were undergoing training in Britain.

"The premise of the article that of a "diplomatic row" between the UK and Kenya, is overstated and redundant. The delay in receipt of diplomatic clearances from the Kenyan authorities has now been resolved, and further training will proceed," the High Commission's Head of Communication Stephen Burns said.

Mr Burns also denied reports that the current MoU between UK and Kenya shields British soldiers from any form of prosecution in the event they commit crimes.

"This is factually incorrect. UK troops have never had any legal immunity in Kenya, and have always been accountable for any crimes committed in Kenya under Kenyan law, UK civil law and UK military law," he added. The allegations in the article that was published on Tuesday, were attributed to Kenyan government officials.

Burns added: "Constructive dialogue on the new MoU continues, and we remain confident of a successful and rapid outcome which will reflect the positions and requirements of the Kenyan and UK Governments, in line with the Kenyan Constitution and Kenya Defence Forces Act."