Historic Ruling: Kenyans Use DNA to Prove Paternity Claims Against UK Soldiers

Tue Oct 21 2025 03:05:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Seven individuals from Kenya were successful in proving their paternity claims against UK soldiers who served at a military base in Kenya, marking a groundbreaking use of DNA testing in UK courts.

In a landmark decision, a Family Court in London has ruled in favor of seven Kenyans, affirming their claims of being fathered by British soldiers stationed at an army base in their country. This case, which utilized commercially available DNA databases to confirm paternity, is notable as it represents the first instance of such evidence being accepted in a UK court. The ruling potentially allows the claimants to apply for British citizenship, providing a new avenue for families affected by these circumstances.

Seven people from Kenya have won a pivotal case at the Family Court in London to establish their paternity, identifying their fathers as British men who worked at an army base in Kenya. The court's acceptance of commercially available DNA databases as a means to establish these relationships marks a significant legal precedent.

Six of the claimants had fathers who served at the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (Batuk), while one was associated with a contractor working for the military. The outcome of this case opens the possibility for the claimants to seek British citizenship—a significant opportunity for those who were previously left without familial recognition.

British lawyer James Netto, alongside geneticist Denise Syndercombe Court, facilitated the collection of DNA samples and testimonies from individuals in the Nanyuki region, where many believed their fathers were stationed at Batuk, the largest British army base in Africa.

One claimant, Peter Wambugu, expressed his mixed emotions, having grown up knowing his father was a British soldier but never meeting him. He was reunited with his father, who was unaware he had a son, leaving Peter to reconcile years of identity struggles and pain. Another claimant shared her experience of abandonment, having met her father only once as a child.

Following the ruling, Netto expressed relief that it brought closure to many families, turning their uncertain journeys into paths filled with answers. He noted that many individuals near Batuk share similar situations, hinting at the need to address more complex cases lacking information.

Lawyer and campaigner Andrew Macleod hopes this ruling incentivizes the Ministry of Defence to take more responsibility regarding paternity claims linked to service members stationed abroad. In response, the Ministry affirmed its commitment to cooperating with local child support authorities while underscoring that these claims remain personal matters for the service personnel involved.

This case has gained heightened attention over the past year, culminating in coverage for an upcoming five-part podcast by the BBC titled 'World of Secrets'.