UK High Commissioner to Kenya Mr Neil Wigan
The British High Commissioner To Kenya Said For Further Payment Has Been Made To The Former Freedom Fighters Since 2013 And There Are No Such Plans
By MKT Correspondents
Worth Noting:
- In a letter dated January 6 this year, Mr Thuku said some individuals and groups were collecting money from Kenyans with promise that once registered by such groups, they would qualify for compensation of cash and land.
- “Some individuals have been going round and registering people and making them pay registration money with a promise that the British government has paid some money to Mau Mau in the country and that the money is being held by the President of the Republic of Kenya,” read part of the letter which added that the same people were promising land.
- Thuku’s letter concluded, “the statement from the Ambassador will go a long way towards stopping these con games that have been going around for a long time.”
The British government has no plans of any further compensation to former freedom fighters or their descendants in Kenya.
The former colonial masters have not released any funds towards such initiative, with the last such move having been made in 2013.
Last Thursday, the United Kingdom warned Kenyans to be cautious of individuals or groups that have been making claims of cash or land compensation from them.
The UK High Commissioner to Kenya Mr Neil Wigan said allegations that President William Ruto was withholding funds meant for Mau Mau or their descendants were unfounded and urged citizens to seek clarification from his office or Kenyan government.
The High Commissioner was responding to a letter written by Othaya constituency’s Chinga Ward MCA Kiruga Thuku who had sought clarification following unconfirmed reports that there were plans to compensate the former freedom fighters and their dependants.
In a letter dated January 6 this year, Mr Thuku said some individuals and groups were collecting money from Kenyans with promise that once registered by such groups, they would qualify for compensation of cash and land.
“Some individuals have been going round and registering people and making them pay registration money with a promise that the British government has paid some money to Mau Mau in the country and that the money is being held by the President of the Republic of Kenya,” read part of the letter which added that the same people were promising land.
Thuku’s letter concluded, “the statement from the Ambassador will go a long way towards stopping these con games that have been going around for a long time.”
Two week after writing the letter, the British High Commissioner responded to the letter exonerating the President and the government from claims withholding the funds.
Part of the letter stated, “We wish to clarify that the British government has not disbursed any compensation to the Government of Kenya or to any individual or groups associated with Mau Mau descendants since the 2013 final settlement of claims of Kenyan citizens relating to the Emergency period. No further payments have been made since then.”
It further stated, “we advice the public to refrain from engaging with unauthorised individuals or groups seeking payments for registration or compensation and to report any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities.”
While thanking the Chinga MCA for bringing the issue to their attention, the High Commissioner urged the public to rely on official channels to get any information.
When contacted yesterday, Mr James Njuguna Mahuria who has been spearheading the compensation issue declined to comment saying the matter was under investigation.
This publication is in possession of a letter Mr Mahuria wrote to the Speaker of the Senate where he claimed that President Ruto was withholding KSh550 Trillion meant for the former freedom fighters and their descendants.
In the letter, bearing the Letterhead of Jeremiah Mugi Foundation, that deals with International Research, Historical Documents, Conflict Resolution and Strategic Plans, Mr Mahuria wanted the Speaker to address the issue of Mau Mau compensation through implementation of Public Benefits Act saying that failure to implement it was impending compensation.
“We are urging the President to release the 550 trillion earmarked for this purpose ensuring that justice is served to the veterans who have awaited recognition and compensation for their suffering,” reads part of Mahuria’s letter, dated October 14 last year.
In his conclusion, Mahuria states that the Speaker’s failure to act by 20th October would force them to write and demand through the International Court of Arbitration.
Mahuria signed off as the Foundation National chairman, indicating that he had written the letter on behalf of 44,000 members of Mau Mau War Veterans Association and 185 members of another group known as Mau Mau Post Colonial Elites.
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