Children in Kenya Win Court Case to Get Names of British Soldiers Who Fathered Them

What the UK court ruled

On 2 August 2025, the High Court in the United Kingdom made an important decision. Judge Andrew McFarlane ordered the British Ministry of Defense to give the names and last known contact details of 11 soldiers believed to have fathered children in Kenya. The court gave one month for the information to be shared. This decision gives the children a chance to claim support or citizenship from the UK.

Why is this a big step?

The children were born near British army camps in Kenya. Many of them never knew their fathers and have grown up without help or recognition. If they can prove who their fathers are they might qualify for support or even UK nationality. This case gives them a path to claim their rights.

What the law says about this

The judge explained that giving the soldiers’ names is important so that the children can confirm who their fathers are. UK law says children born outside the country to a British parent can be considered for citizenship. The court had to balance the soldiers’ privacy with the children’s right to know their identity.

What happens next

Once the names are handed over the children can go ahead with DNA tests or legal claims. Some are already in the process of testing. Their lawyers believe that more families may come forward after this case and take similar steps.

Why Kenyans should care?

This case shows that there are still many children in Kenya affected by the actions of foreign soldiers who served here. Some of these issues go back many years. It also raises questions about what responsibility foreign governments have when their citizens leave behind children in Kenya.

Sources

UK High Court judgment delivered by Justice Andrew McFarlane on 2 August 2025
The Times UK article: Army will give soldier names to the Kenyan children they fathered
Mwakilishi article: Children of British soldiers in Nanyuki seek recognition and support
Kenyans.co.ke article: British soldiers’ children abandoned in Kenya issue demands to UK government
Eastleigh Voice article: Kenya’s forgotten children — the struggles of children left behind by British soldiers