Samburu Women Parade Children Sired By Deadbeat British Soldiers, Cry For Justice: "Inauma"

• Some Samburu women have asserted allegations of sexual assault involving soldiers from the British Army training unit (BATUK)
• They have lamented financial difficulties and public humiliation following the departure of the purported soldiers, who left them with children to care for
• The government has set aside a parliamentary committee to investigate the matter and help the women get justice

Samburu women who were allegedly sexually assaulted by British soldiers presented children born from the assaults to the parliamentary committee investigating the incidents.

The women reported being left with permanent scars and called for a swift investigation to ensure justice is served.

How did the women become victims of sexual assault?

In an interview with Citizen TV, Generica Namoru recounted having a child five years ago with a man from the British Army training unit (BATUK) after being sexually assaulted.

She recounted that after informing her alleged assailant about her pregnancy, he promised to take her and the child once he retired from the army. However, she has not heard from him since.

She attempted to seek assistance from BATUK but was unsuccessful. She also mentioned that she is compelled to work even harder to provide for her child's needs.

"My friends laugh at me while asking me why I suffer despite having a child with a British man. It hurts me a lot , but I persevere."

Another victim is 17-year-old Naomi (not her real name) who was born as a result of sexual assault and abuse.

"I don't know my father, but I would like to know who he is. Life has become quite a challenge," Naomi said.

She stated ever since her mother passed on, things have been really hard. She relies entirely on community members to raise fees and rent for her house.

What did the parliamentary committee say about incidents?

The parliamentary committee investigating the alleged atrocities promised to pursue the alleged perpetrators and have justice served.

"We will engage BATUK, and inform them to tell soldiers from the training unit to take responsibilities for the children they left in this community," Chairman of National Assembly Defence Nelson Koech said.

British Defence Secretary to meet family of Woman Killed by UK Soldier

Elsewhere, Britain’s Defence Secretary James Heappey sympathised with the family of a Kenyan woman allegedly killed by a British soldier a decade ago.

Speaking on BBC, Heappey said he was ready to meet with the family of Agnes Wanjiru, who died at the hands of British soldiers in 2012 at Lions Court Hotel, Nanyuki.

Heappey said even though he sympathises with the family’s anger at how long the process is taking, his meeting would not mean accepting culpability on behalf of the UK government.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke