MP: Kenyatta regime given Sh8b for Mau Mau

By Boniface Gikandi

The Kenyatta Government received £75 million (about Sh8.85 billion at current exchange rates) from British colonialists to compensate former freedom fighters, an MP has claimed.

Kandara MP Maina Kamau said the former freedom fighters did not benefit from the money.

He said the funds were for resettling Mau Mau fighters and relatives of those who died in the fight for independence.

Freedom fighters: We did not benefit from compensation

Speaking during the burial of former freedom fighter Bildad Kaggia’s son, Mwaganu Kaggia, on Saturday, Mr Kamau said the founding Government was to blame for woes facing the former fighters, despite their struggle to secure Kenya from colonialists.

Kamau said he would move a Motion in Parliament to establish what became of the funds that were given during the late Jomo Kenyatta’s regime as compensation to fighters.

Lack of concern

"It will be my duty to table a Motion in Parliament to help establish who benefited from the money meant for independence war veterans," he said.

He also accused succeeding Governments of lacking concern for the liberators. "They have not shown interest in uplifting the living standards of our liberators," said Kamau.

Murang’a District is home to scores of families of war veterans, who still expect compensation from the former colonial masters.

The former fighters have complained about human rights abuses during the struggle for independence, and have, through the Kenya Human Rights Commission, threatened to go to court to compel the British Government to compensate them.

Mwaganu was laid to rest in Karigu-ini village in Murang’a South District. Scores of former freedom fighters turned up to pay their last respects and asked the Government to urgently address the compensation issues to save their families from anguish.

Mr Kamau wa Kamunyu said it was shameful that children of former Mau Mau fighters languished in poverty, while sons of colonial chiefs lived a posh life.

Kamunyu accused President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga of failing to support the former fighters pursue the compensation case.

Mwaganu died two weeks ago at a Thika hospital, where he was being treated after he arrived from America.