Medics as influencers: a historical analysis of British Army military medical exercises in Kenya over two decades.

This is the first qualitative analysis of the impact of a British Defence Engagement (Health) on the partner nation and UK influence gained through it. It has identified factors which may improve outcomes, namely, ensuring sustainability and continuity between iterations; maintaining enduring stakeholder relationships; responding to a capability gap request; intelligence-led planning with incorporated assessment, monitoring and evaluation; adapting to changes in needs or contextual settings; while ensuring mutual benefit in objective setting. These may be used as the basis for a conceptual framework supporting the planning and execution of high-quality, mutually beneficial Defence Engagement (Health) activities in future. This framework and future research would also benefit from gaining perspectives from the partner nation.