Rhian Davies

Research Overview

My PhD thesis explores the social history of military relations between Britain and Kenya from independence in 1963 to the present, arguing that post-colonial agreements have had greater social consequences for Kenyan communities than previously acknowledged by historians. Although existing scholarship has examined diplomatic relations, colonial violence and the strategic dimensions of military cooperation, there is still no comprehensive study of how these agreements have shaped everyday life, particularly for communities living near British military camps.

To address this gap, my research investigates how colonial legacies influenced military agreements negotiated between Britain and Kenya after independence, how British use of military training camps like the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) has evolved over time, how regulations governing interactions between soldiers and civilians have changed and how these arrangements have affected gender dynamics in local communities. It will also examine how advocacy organisations responded to allegations of violence, environmental harm and human rights violations connected to the presence of British troops in Kenya.

These questions reveal how political decisions made after Kenyan independence continue to structure social and economic realities for Kenyan people today. Defence agreements presented as mutually beneficial partnerships also facilitated a sustained foreign military presence that raised tensions around land rights, local economies, environmental issues and gendered violence. Understanding the long term consequences is essential for evaluating ongoing debates around accountability, human rights and the legacy of colonial influence in Kenya's post-colonial governance.

Drawing upon archival records from Kenya and Britain, newspaper coverage, NGO reports and oral history interviews, this study aims to centre Kenyan perspectives and foreground the experiences of people whose voices have often been marginalised. By tracing around sixty years of lived experiences and social change, this research will provide the first comprehensive social history of military relations between Kenya and Britain, offering new insights for historians, policymakers and advocacy groups.