The British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK) has announced it   has begun preparations for Exercise Haraka Storm days after the government renewed its operating licences .

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

BATUK made this confirmation on August 5 through a statement seen by  Kenyans.co.ke , saying the joint clearance mission involving the British Army 21 Field Squadron, the 33rd Engineer Regiment, and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) 10th Engineer Regiment is working in the Archer’s Post Training Area, following a four-week operation to clear unexploded ordnance in Samburu County.

Part of the exercise involved the teams removing potential dangers from military impact zones used by KDF, BATUK and partner forces, helping keep training grounds safe for troops and nearby residents.

“After four weeks of Exercise RANGE SWEEP in Archer's Post Training Area, we are all set for Exercise Haraka Storm. The British Army 21 Field Squadron, 33 Engineer Regiment, alongside the Kenya Defence Forces 10th Engineer Regiment, successfully concluded four weeks of Explosive Ordnance Clearance operations in Archer's Post Training Area under Exercise Range Sweep 2026,” BATUK stated.

📌 What You Need to Know

This training is part of the broader  Exercise RANGE SWEEP , an annual effort to locate and dispose of unexploded ordnance in gazetted live-firing areas in Samburu County after military exercises end.

Beyond clearance, soldiers conducted safety awareness sessions in 24 schools, teaching learners and communities how to identify suspicious items and respond safely.

The operation marked a fresh phase of cooperation as the two militaries prepared for  Exercise Haraka Storm , scheduled for September to November.

The training comes weeks after BATUK faced a licensing dispute that threatened to disrupt planned exercises due to delays in renewing the required permits.

On July 23, the UK Ministry of Defence announced it was moving military exercises away from Kenya to Tanzania as the disagreement continued.

There were allegations, fronted by the Former Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, that the National Assembly Defence Committee (NADC) demanded bribes of up to Ksh3 billion and issued an ultimatum for their licence renewal, threatening to halt operations.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke