United Kingdom: “There can be no excuse” for colonial abuses in Kenya, says Charles III

2023-11-01 04:21:55

King Charles III affirmed in Nairobi that there could be “no excuse” for the atrocities of British colonization committed against Kenyans, without however asking for forgiveness as some demanded. “Heinous and unjustifiable acts of violence were committed against Kenyans as they waged (…) a painful struggle for independence and sovereignty. And for that, there can be no excuse,” the British sovereign said at a state dinner on Tuesday with Kenyan President William Ruto.

“None of this can change the past, but by approaching our history with honesty and openness, perhaps we can demonstrate the strength of our friendship today and, in doing so, we can hopefully continue to build an ever closer bond for years to come,” he added.

A first step

For his part, William Ruto declared that the reaction of the colonial power to the self-determination movements in Kenya had been “monstrous cruelty”, up to the “worst excesses of colonial impunity”. Charles’ “courage and will” “to shed light on uncomfortable truths” constitute a first step towards “progress going beyond the timid and equivocal half-measures of recent years”.

Charles III had previously symbolically visited the site of the proclamation of Kenya’s independence, on the first day of his visit to this East African country, where demands for apologies multiplied. This four-day visit, a few weeks before the 60th anniversary of the independence of this former colony, is Charles III’s first as king to a Commonwealth country.

This trip by Charles, 74, and Queen Camilla, 76, underlines “the strong and dynamic partnership between the United Kingdom and Kenya,” said the British embassy. But Buckingham also said that it would be an opportunity to discuss “the most painful aspects of the common history” of the two countries.

An NGO demanded an “unconditional and unequivocal public” apology

One of the deadliest episodes was the Mau Mau revolt, the repression of which by the British colonial power left more than 10,000 dead between 1952 and 1960. Thirty-two colonists were also killed.

Many Kenyan veterans’ and human rights organizations expected more from the British authorities, who have so far simply expressed “sincere regret” in 2013 for colonial violence in Kenya.

The NGO Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) on Sunday called on the king to “present an unconditional and unequivocal public apology” for the atrocities committed “during the entire colonial period” (1895-1963). KHRC also sought relief. In 2013, after years of litigation, London agreed to compensate more than 5,000 Kenyans who were victims of abuse during the Maux Maux uprising. After deducting legal costs, each received around 2,600 pounds (3,000 euros).