Mau Mau war veterans to hold nine-day Madaraka fete in push for compensation

Two of the Mau Mau freedom war veterans keenly follow proceedings at Environment and Land at Meru. [Phares Mutembei/ Standard]

Mau Mau war veterans and their descendants are planning a nine-day nationwide campaign to push for their compensation from the British government.

The campaign will coincide with this year's Madaraka Day, running from June 1 to June 9. Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Nyeri, and Homa Bay counties will serve as the focal points of the campaign.

According to James Mahuria, the National General Coordinator of the Mau Mau War Veterans and their descendants, the event will be hosted by the World Anthropological Union and the Mau Mau Veterans Association.

Mahuria expressed his regret that, despite their significant contributions to the country's independence, surviving Mau Mau fighters and their descendants continue to live in severe poverty.

"The association has worked tirelessly to unite various groups to advocate for rightful compensation," said Mahuria.

"We have brought together different organisations championing for compensation so that we can effectively articulate our demands to the British administration."

The grassroots mobilisation efforts by the Mau Mau War Veterans Association have led to the establishment of county teams for better coordination among affected families.

During the nine-day campaign, the association will conduct civic education forums to raise awareness about the challenges faced by the Mau Mau fighters and their families.

Mahuria emphasised that the Mau Mau fighters were not merely victims but active agents fighting for the rights and dignity of Kenyans.

He called on the Kenyan government to recognise the sacrifices made by the Mau Mau fighters in liberating the country from colonial rule, urging the Kenya Kwanza administration to support their cause.

"As we approach the upcoming Madaraka Day celebrations, there is an urgent need for the Kenyan government to acknowledge our contributions and support the movement led by the Mau Mau War Veterans Association," Mahuria stated.

He expressed confidence that their efforts would yield positive results and encouraged Mau Mau fighters and their descendants not to give up.

"There is hope at the end of the tunnel, as we expect compensation from the British government," he said.

Mahuria described the new wave of advocacy as a call for real-time compensation for the impact of colonial injustices. "Our agenda is to ensure that Mau Mau veterans and their descendants receive their rightful share of compensation from the British government," he added.

In a recent meeting with elders from the Sabaot, Luhya, Pokot, Kamba, Nandi, and Kikuyu communities, Mahuria praised these groups for joining the campaign to seek compensation from the British government for the atrocities committed by colonial rulers.

Francis Chemwor from the Sabaot community shared that their community was displaced from fertile agricultural land in Trans-Nzoia County by white settlers.

To prepare for the anticipated compensation, Mahuria noted that his members are opening bank accounts with Kingdom Bank.