National Assembly Defence Committee chairperson Nelson Koech has dismissed former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's claims that lawmakers sought financial inducements from the British government over BATUK licence renewal.
Koech has insisted that the committee's work has been guided solely by the pursuit of justice for victims affected by British military activities in Kenya.
Speaking after Gachagua questioned the committee's handling of issues surrounding the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK), the Belgut MP termed the allegations "reckless" and "completely silly."
"I really hoped that the time I served with Gachagua in the last Parliament, he had learnt a bit about how Parliament operates and the distinction between the Executive and Parliament. Clearly, he does not understand. He is either ignorant or completely reckless," Koech said.
The MP rejected suggestions that the committee demanded money from British authorities in exchange for approving military training exercises in Kenya.
"My committee has no reason to demand any money from the British government because they want to train in Kenya. At what point do you demand money, and from whom?" he posed.
Koech said if members of the committee had intended to be compromised, they would not have made recommendations critical of the British military's operations in Kenya.
"If they were uncomfortable with the recommendations we made, then if we were to be compromised, we would have been compromised before making those recommendations," he said.
He accused Gachagua of viewing public service through the lens of personal gain.
"Gachagua is one of those people who believes that for everything you do, there must be a corrupt monetary value attached to it. We don't see it that way. We see the people of Laikipia and Nanyuki as human beings, not as voters or stepping stones to make money."
Koech defended the committee's decision to investigate longstanding complaints linked to BATUK, including the killing of Agnes Wanjiru, environmental degradation and injuries allegedly caused by unexploded military ordnance.
He argued that Parliament had a duty to seek accountability over unresolved cases affecting communities hosting British military exercises.
"Is Gachagua saying it was wrong for our committee to recommend justice for the family of Agnes Wanjiru? That her death means nothing?" he asked.
He added that the committee could not ignore allegations that military training had caused environmental damage, including fires in the Lolldaiga Hills ecosystem, or reports that unexploded ordnance had maimed residents.
"We have families who have lost children because of unexploded ordnance left behind by the British Army. We have children whose hands and limbs have been blown off. We have communities drinking polluted water because of military training activities. These are issues Parliament cannot ignore," he said.
Koech further alleged that Gachagua's criticism could be aimed at frustrating the committee's work.
"I don't think Gachagua was accusing my committee. He is laying bait for the British, and I am told there are brokers already looking for ways to benefit from this situation," he claimed.
He maintained that the committee's mandate was not political but to ensure justice for affected communities.
"Our job is not about politics. I do not come from Laikipia, but as chairman of this committee I have a responsibility to pursue justice for the people living there," he said.
Koech insisted the committee would not be intimidated by the accusations.
"These allegations are meant to deter my committee from pursuing justice for the people of this country. We remain focused. Those accusations are wild and, in my view, completely silly," he said.
