By Raymond Wanjohi and William Muchiri
Worth Noting:
- Captain Githiga Gikonyo, the national coordinator of the association, urged members to unite and prepare for the imminent release of compensation funds.
- He expressed optimism that the payout would happen soon.
- “We’ve come together in Nyeri to discuss the compensation for those who fought for this country’s liberation,” Captain Githiga said. “We’ve informed our members at the grassroots level, across counties and sub-counties, to open bank accounts in preparation.”
Thousands of Mau Mau war veterans and their descendants are still pursuing compensation for the atrocities committed by colonial forces during Kenya’s fight for independence.
On Saturday, members of the Mau Mau War Veterans Association from across the country gathered in Nyeri, where they agreed to open bank accounts in anticipation of compensation payments from the British government.
More than six decades after Kenya gained independence, veterans and their descendants continue to seek justice for the abuses they endured during the colonial era.
Captain Githiga Gikonyo, the national coordinator of the association, urged members to unite and prepare for the imminent release of compensation funds.
He expressed optimism that the payout would happen soon.
“We’ve come together in Nyeri to discuss the compensation for those who fought for this country’s liberation,” Captain Githiga said. “We’ve informed our members at the grassroots level, across counties and sub-counties, to open bank accounts in preparation.”
“We are ready to receive the compensation, which we believe is already available. We endured torture during colonial rule, and we deserve to be compensated,” he added.
The association also announced plans to convene again next month at Kabiru-ini Grounds in Nyeri to intensify their campaign for compensation.
Captain Githiga vowed to push for a swift resolution to the longstanding delay. “On December 10, we will meet at Kabiru-ini to discuss how we can expedite this matter. We will not tolerate further delays,” he said.
“I urge all our members, from all corners of the country, to stand united.”
The association has already petitioned both the Senate and the National Assembly to press the government for a speedy resolution to their compensation demands.
During his visit to Kenya last year, King Charles III acknowledged that there was “no excuse” for the atrocities committed against Kenyans during the independence struggle. In a statement at a State banquet, he said:
“There were abhorrent and unjustifiable acts of violence committed against Kenyans as they waged a painful struggle for independence. And for that, there can be no excuse.”
“While we cannot change the past, by addressing our history with honesty and openness, we can demonstrate the strength of our friendship today and continue to build a stronger bond for the years ahead,” he added.
The Nyeri meeting followed another one, held in Kiambu county where they pressed for release of the money which sources said runs into trillions of shillings, with some already being released and deposited in an escrow account.
The veterans are pursuing the payments as a single group with officials saying there is no faction, out of the many former freedom fighters associations that will be left behind.
An independent forum; Jeremiah Mugi Foundation which is assisting the members in their pursuit said they hoped the meeting, set for next month will be seeking to unite all association for the common goal.
The foundation Chairman James Njuguna Mahuria who also attended the meeting urged the former freedom fighters and descendants of those who died to register themselves so that they are not left behind.
The descendants are working under the auspices of Mau Mau children Post-Colonial Elite.
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