The United Kingdom has cancelled a major military training exercise planned for Kenya later this year after Kenyan authorities did not issue the licences required for the deployment, Britain's Ministry of Defence said on Thursday.

The six-week exercise, known as Haraka Storm, had been scheduled to take place in Laikipia County, about 200 kilometres north of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. It will now be relocated to another country after the necessary approvals were not granted.

In a statement, Britain’s Ministry of Defence said it regretted the cancellation but emphasised that it remained committed to maintaining close defence ties with Kenya.

"The UK highly values its relationship with Kenya, which is underpinned by mutual benefit, respect and cooperation. The UK-Kenya Defence Partnership is one of the great strengths of our relationship. Our joint training and operations with the Kenyan Defence Forces are keeping both Kenyan and British people safe," the ministry said.

Permanent military base

The ministry added that it would continue working with the Kenyan government to sustain military cooperation between the two countries.

Britain maintains a permanent military presence in Kenya through the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK), where thousands of British soldiers conduct exercises each year, including joint training with the Kenyan military.

The cancellation comes as the defence partnership faces growing public and political scrutiny in Kenya.

Lawmakers have called for stronger oversight of BATUK and greater legal accountability for British troops, while communities near training areas have raised concerns about the environmental and social impact of military exercises.

Abuses

Relations have also been tested by legal cases involving BATUK, including the long-running investigation into the 2012 killing of Kenyan woman Agnes Wanjiru. A former British soldier has been charged with her murder and faces extradition proceedings.

There have also been allegations of sexual abuse and environmental damage linked to British military activities in Kenya.

While these issues have fuelled calls for reforms to the defence partnership, neither government has publicly linked them to the licensing dispute that led to the exercise’s cancellation.

Neither Britain’s Ministry of Defence nor the Kenyan government explained why the permits for the planned exercise were not issued.