King Charles III, in a heartfelt address during a State Banquet at Nairobi’s State House, expressed deep remorse for the historical injustices and suffering inflicted on the people of Kenya more than six decades ago.
The monarch acknowledged the importance of understanding Kenya’s painful past and expressed his commitment to engage with the communities that were affected.
“It is the shared history between our nations that has brought our people together. However, we must also confront the most regrettable chapters of our complex relationship. The past wrongs are a source of great sorrow and profound regret,” King Charles said.
During his visit to Kenya, he emphasized his desire to deepen his comprehension of these wrongs and to meet with those whose lives and communities were severely affected.
The King also condemned the atrocities, particularly the Mau Mau uprising, as “abhorrent and unjustifiable.” He called for a joint effort between the two nations to move beyond this painful history.
“There were terrible and indefensible acts of violence committed against Kenyans in their struggle for independence and sovereignty,” he noted. “While we cannot change the past, we can demonstrate the strength of our present-day friendship through honest and open discussions about our history. This, I hope, will help us build a lasting bond for the future.”
King Charles’s comments echoed the calls from Kenyan leaders and citizens for acknowledgment and apology for the colonial brutality.
President William Ruto urged the King to address the issue further, emphasizing the importance of leaving the past behind for a better future relationship. “We cannot be prisoners of history. Nor can we progress into the future if we ignore the actions and omissions of the past, which continue to affect us today,” he stated.
President Ruto also pointed out that while some efforts have been made to make amends for the suffering inflicted by the colonial government, there is still much work to be done to achieve full reparations.
UK High Commissioner Neil Wigan, during a recent appearance on Citizen TV’s JKLive show, did not confirm whether the King would issue a personal apology but reiterated the UK’s expression of regret over the historical issue.
