The British High Commission has placed under ‘enhanced isolation, its military base in Nanyuki town, central Kenya after four soldiers tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease.
The infected soldiers are in isolation units spread throughout Nyati Barracks in Nanyuki town, including some in tents, and are undergoing regular checks.
“The BATUK (British Army Training Unit Kenya) camp has been placed into enhanced isolation after a very small number of soldiers tested positive for COVID-19,” the commission said in a statement.
“The British Army takes the health and wellbeing of personnel and the local community in Kenya very seriously. The Ministry of Defence’s Force Health Protection measures are being applied to prevent further infections.”8
This is to limit contact and prevent further infections.
A spokesman of the commission said “all soldiers deploying on exercise had to conduct a period of isolation and test negative prior to travelling to Kenya”.
“High transit areas, including dining facilities are being deep-cleaned and soldiers will be fed on rations in the meantime,” the statement said.
Most of the Kenyan staff working at the camp have been told to work from home.
The Nyati Barracks was re-opened last month by UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.
The British Army Training Unit Kenya (Batuk) provides “demanding training to exercising units preparing to deploy on operations or assume high-readiness tasks”.