Kenya–United Kingdom relations

Kenya – UK relations

Kenya
United Kingdom
Diplomatic Mission
British High Commission, Nairobi High Commission of Kenya, London
Envoy
High Commissioner Christian Turner High Commissioner Lazarus O. Amayo

Kenya–United Kingdom relations are bilateral relations between Kenya and the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom has historically been a partner of Kenya in many areas particularly trade and security (military).

British Empire

HMS Kenya was a Crown Colony-class cruiser of the Royal Navy. The ship was named after Kenya, as Kenya was a British Overseas Territory at the time of the ship's construction.

Kenya and the UK have historical relations dating back to the 19th century. Between 1824 to 1826 the Kenyan port city of Mombasa was under British occupation. In 1887 a 16-kilometre-wide strip in the Kenyan coast was leased by the British.[1] In 1895, Kenya became part of the East Africa Protectorate. In 1920, Kenya became British Kenya. Kenya achieved independence from the UK in 1963 and was thus a colony of the UK between 1895 and 1963 (68 years).

Kenya even contributed troops during World War I and World War II.

In 1963, the country became the Kenya (Commonwealth realm), meaning that even though Kenya had achieved independence, that Kenya was still a monarchy and that Queen Elizabeth II was still the head of state. Under this the Monarch was represented in Kenya by a Governor-General, who was Malcolm MacDonald. The Prime Minister of Kenya was Jomo Kenyatta. As of the independence act of Kenya, the succession to the throne of Kenya was the same as that of the UK.

In 1964, Kenya became a republic meaning that head of state became the President of Kenya.

The Queen visited Kenya four times, in 1952, 1972, 1983 and 1991.

Historical flags

Post Independence

Following the violent struggle for independence Kenya and the UK maintained warm relations. In fact at one point it was considered that the UK was Kenya's most significant ally in the West. The UK provided economic and military assistance to Kenya. Relations between Kenya and the UK were friendly and uninterrupted until the election of Uhuru Kenyatta as President.[2]

Upon the election of Uhuru Kenyatta as President of Kenya, the UK sought to distance itself diplomatically from Kenya. This was because Uhuru Kenyatta had been indicted by the International Criminal Court ICC for crimes during the Post Election violence in 2007. On the election of Uhuru Kenyatta as President, the High Commissioner of the UK, Turner stated that the UK would only deal with Kenya on essential business.[3]

In 2014, Kenyatta's case in the ICC was dropped.[4]

Presently, relations between both countries remain cordial.

Military

A Royal Air Force Puma helicopter is pictured over Kenya during Exercise Askari Thunder.

The British Army trains troops in Kenya, in preparation for ops in countries such as Afghanistan. The Unit is known as the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK). It is a permanent training unit with stations in Kahawa, Nairobi (which is a smaller unit) and Nanyuki. BATUK provides logistical support to visiting units of the British Army. It consists of 56 permanent staff and a reinforcement of 110 personnel.[5]

An agreement with the Government of Kenya allows six infantry battalions to train in Kenya annually. They have six-week exercises. There are also three Royal Engineer Squadron exercises which carry out civil engineering projects and two medical company group deployments which provide primary health care assistance to the civilian community.[5]

According to one British MoD spokesperson, the UK has a long-standing, mutually beneficial, defence relationship with Kenya.[6] The troops train in Kenya as part of a 40-year military cooperation agreement.[7]

About 10,000 British troops train in Kenya annually.[8] The troops also help prevent poaching of rhinos and elephants. The troops are said to contribute KES. 2.5 billion (£58 million) to the Kenyan economy annually.[6]

Look East policy

President Uhuru Kenyatta with British Foreign Secretary William Hague at an international conference in London (May 2013)

The Kenyan government had adopted a look East policy and since China was key to the policy, the Kenyan government turned to China for infrastructural funds.

Kenya's relations with the UK were debated in Britain's parliament. British Members of Parliament (MPs) were particularly concerned with the growing influence of China in Kenya as Britain had sought to isolate Kenya diplomatically after Kenyatta's election. The MPs noted with concern that China's efforts in Kenya to develop infrastructure were successful and that Britain hadn't been supporting Kenya in the same way.[9]

Culture and remnants

Kenya has a huge English speaking population, one of Kenya's official languages is English. Also as a result of being a former British colony, Kenya still drives on the left as the UK does. There are 25,000 British citizens in Kenya.[8] More than 200,000 Britons visit Kenya yearly.[8] Kenya is also part of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Trade

Bilateral trade between both countries exceeds KES.139 billion (£1 billion).[8]

The UK is also one of the largest investors in Kenya, Vodafone plc owns stake in Kenya's largest taxpaying firm, Safaricom. The UK is also a major buyer of Kenyan horticultural produce.[8] The UK imports 8.5% of Kenyan goods. 3.4% of British goods make up Kenya's imports. The UK was Kenya's largest source of FDI, however China is now the largest source of FDI.

The UK aims to double trade within the coming years. Although Kenya's exports lack diversification, trade between both countries is never heavily in favour of the other.

Diplomatic missions

The United Kingdom maintains a high commission in Nairobi. Kenya also maintains a high commission in London.

References

  1. ↑ . Historical chronology | UNESCO. Retrieved on 15 January 2015.
  2. ↑ . Kenya -- Foreign Relations. Retrieved on 16 January 2015.
  3. ↑ . US WARNS OF ICC CONSEQUENCES. Retrieved on 16 January 2015.
  4. ↑ . ICC drops murder and rape charges against Kenyan president. Retrieved on 16 January 2015.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 . British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK). Retrieved on 16 January 2015.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 . British army joins fight against elephant and rhino poaching. Retrieved on 16 January 2015.
  7. ↑ . 3,000 British Troops Arrive in Kenya for Military Training. Retrieved on 16 January 2015.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 .The Ties That Bind The United Kingdom and Kenya. Retrieved on 16 January 2015.
  9. ↑ . China forces the UK to rethink Kenya policy. Retrieved on 16 January 2015.