For the first time, commercial DNA testing is being utilized in Kenyan family courts to help children identify their British soldier fathers. Since the 1950s, there have been nearly 100 cases of children born near UK army bases in Kenya who grew up unaware of their paternal origins. Many of these individuals have endured poverty and social exclusion while seeking answers about their family backgrounds.
This investigation by BBC World of Secrets and Africa Eye follows Yvonne’s emotional journey, a woman who believed her father was dead. With support from a British lawyer, Yvonne and others are finally obtaining legal and biological confirmation about their parentage. The introduction of modern genetic testing offers a new avenue for these families to gain recognition and closure after decades of uncertainty.