UK’s King Charles has expressed deep remorse for the atrocities committed by British colonisers during Kenya’s fight for independence.
Speaking at a banquet held at State House Nairobi, King Charles acknowledged that the acts perpetrated by the British were unjustifiable and inexcusable.
“The wrongdoings of the past are a source of immense sorrow and profound regret. These acts were abhorrent and unjustifiable acts of violence against Kenyans who endured a painful struggle for their independence and sovereignty,” King Charles said.
While the monarch’s words were a significant step toward reconciliation, it should be noted that they do not constitute an official apology.
The authority to issue an official apology lies with the UK government and its ministers. Experts have suggested that a formal apology could potentially expose the government to liability, leading to compensation claims from those who suffered during that tumultuous period.
During his speech, he openly acknowledged the dark chapters of Britain’s colonial history and expressed deep regret for the actions of the past.
President William Ruto praised the King for his courage in addressing uncomfortable truths about the brutal methods employed by colonisers against the Kenyan people.
Dr Ruto said that colonial rule had been “brutal and atrocious” to African people, involving the use of excessive force to suppress resistance.
The scars of the past, particularly the suppression of the Mau Mau uprising in the 1950s, remain fresh in Kenya’s collective memory, with thousands of citizens having been killed and tortured before the country gained its independence.
A decade ago, the UK government expressed regret for these abuses and announced payments totaling nearly $24 million to over 5,000 individuals affected by these events.
King Charles’s address marked his first official visit to a Commonwealth country since his coronation as King. He is accompanied by the wife- Queen Camila.