Kenyan women win aid to sue MoD
Hundreds of Kenyan tribeswomen who claim to have been raped by British soldiers have been granted legal aid to sue the Ministry of Defence.
The women allege that they were raped by UK troops in Kenya in complaints dating back 30 years.
They say that many of the soldiers hunted in packs and gang raped victims as a matter of routine.
Most of the 650 claimants are from Masai tribes, many from the eastern town of Isiolo, near a British Army training base.
About 100 women claim to have documentary evidence such as police or clinic reports and 40 have mixed-race children who they insist were born as a result of the rapes.
The stigma of rape is very high among Kenyan tribes and many of the women have suffered as a result of coming forward.
The granting of British legal aid means that legal action can now proceed.
The MoD said it could not comment because the rapes were also under criminal investigation by the Royal Military Police.
The women are claiming that the Ministry of Defence failed to exercise proper control over military personnel.
Last year Masai people killed and injured by mines left on their land by the British Army were awarded a £4.5m settlement.
