A memorial for victims of torture and ill-treatment in the fight for independence was yesterday unveiled as part of reconciliation between the British government and Mau Mau veterans.
Funded by the British government, the monument is part of an out-of-court agreement between the British and five claimants represented by the Mau Mau Veterans reached in June 2013.
The memorial comes after a decision by the former ruler to compensate the more than 5,200 Kenyans to the tune of £19.9 million (Sh2.7 billion).
The fighters were tortured and ill-treated during the 1952-1960 insurgency by the colonial government that also left thousands of the freedom fighters dead.
British High Commissioner Christian Turner admitted that there was wide spread of violence during the period, saying his government understood the pain and grievance felt by those involved.
The monument erected at Uhuru Park’s Freedom corner features a sculpture of a fighter being handed food by a woman. Armed in a home-made rifle, the fighter is in trademark dreadlocks as he receives the food.
“The memorial stands as a symbol of reconciliation between the British Government, the Mau Mau, and all those who suffered during the Emergency Period,” said Dr Turner.
The envoy said the British government recognised that Kenyans were subjected to torture and other forms of ill-treatment.
He said the partnership between the two countries is both historic and deep and should not be overshadowed by the past.
Mau Mau Veterans Association’s (MMWVA) Gitu wa Kahengeri said despite the torture and ill-treatment by the British Empire, the two countries cannot continue to be enemies and should instead focus on reconciliation.
National unity
Dr Kahengeri said Kenyans must unite in fighting tribalism as all Kenyan communities fought for freedom. “We fought as a nation and not as a particular community. We must fight tribalism for our country to move forward,” he said.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga said the fate of freedom fighters has been close to the hearts of many Kenyans and thanked the UK government for admitting liabilities.
Raila said the memorial should mark the beginning of an honest search of all freedom heroes from all the communities. The Kenyan government also announced that it will compensate the Nyayo House torture victims as a way of resolving violation of human rights during the fight for second liberation.
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Attorney General Githu Muigai said the government is committed to confronting its own human rights violations in the last 50 years.
Other leaders present were Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) Chair Makau Mutua, Sports, Culture and Arts Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario and his Foreign Affairs counterpart Amina Mohammed. Wario said the National Museum will initiate the gazettement of the monument for the country’s posterity.
He told the veteran fighters that President Uhuru Kenyatta will host them next week at State House.