Shocking revelations have emerged concerning British soldiers training in Kenya, where initiation ceremonies reportedly involve younger recruits engaging in unprotected sex with prostitutes, as per an investigation by The Mail on Sunday.
According to sources, senior soldiers allegedly conduct these ceremonies by flipping a coin to determine whether the squaddie will use a condom during the encounter, purportedly as a test of their ‘bravery’.
These claims have sparked concern among defence chiefs due to the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Kenya, affecting one in 20 individuals.
Approximately 10,000 British troops are deployed to Kenya annually for live firing exercises lasting up to eight weeks. Upon their return, soldiers were questioned regarding their interactions with prostitutes outside the base, as revealed in a study published in the British Medical Journal Military Health.
The report highlighted the initiation ceremonies carried out by the troops, where the decision to use protection during sexual encounters was determined by a coin toss. Despite receiving a guide to sexual health upon arrival in Kenya, the number of soldiers seeking medical assistance for related diseases increased compared to UK-based troops, with a third of them unable to recall receiving the advice.
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The concerning practice not only poses health risks to the soldiers but also presents a ‘global reputational risk’ for the military. Former Army intelligence officer Philip Ingram condemned the leadership’s failure to address these incidents, emphasizing that sexual health is a crucial part of annual training for all service personnel.
The report also raised alarm over the growing presence of prostitutes near the British base in Nanyuki, Kenya, with some services reportedly offered even at local barber shops. A senior officer recounted an encounter where he was unexpectedly offered ‘extra services’ after a haircut, prompting concerns about soldiers’ vulnerability to such offers.
In response to the allegations, a Ministry of Defence spokesman reaffirmed the commitment to preventing sexual exploitation in any form, emphasizing that all sexual activity involving the abuse of power, including purchasing sex, is strictly prohibited.
The revelations underscore the urgent need for robust measures to address misconduct and uphold ethical standards within the military, both domestically and abroad.
