King Charles III and his wife, Camilla, arrived in Kenya on Monday evening, October 30. This is the British sovereign’s first visit to a Commonwealth country since his coronation. They will remain there until Friday, between Nairobi, the capital, and Mombasa, a port city on the east coast, a visit at the invitation of President William Ruto as the country prepares to celebrate 60 years of independence in December.
Kenya is of particular importance to the British Crown, as it was there that Queen Elizabeth began her reign in February 1952. However, during this visit, King Charles will hardly be able to leave room for romance, as many Kenyans are especially waiting for a firm stance on the British colonial past.
On the king’s program in Kenya, Charles III is due to meet President William Ruto this Tuesday morning. During his two days in the capital, there will be times of contemplation, notably at the Uhuru garden memorial, built after Independence, or at the Kariokor cemetery where soldiers killed during the Second World War rest.
The second day will be devoted in part to the environmental issue, before a departure for Mombasa where the king will visit the British navy base at Mtongwe.
A visit and sensitive files
Like all visits to a former colony, this visit is sensitive for the crown. The British embassy is trying to make this trip look like a party. She had matatus – these public transport minibuses – painted in British and Kenyan colors. You can see the royal couple, the Masai and the Union Jack among giraffes and elephants. But Kenyans have little interest in this folklore. What they want are strong statements, apologies about the colonial past.
Buckingham Palace announced that the king would discuss the “ painful aspects » of the British past in Kenya.
Many, in fact, are sensitive issues and despite the efforts of the Kenyan authorities to prohibit demonstrations and press briefings, several communities have expressed their complaints to the Crown.
There are the Masai whose lands were confiscated at the beginning of the 20th century, the Mau Mau, Independence fighters and the Pokot community that the British colonist considered seditious. Finally, there are the communities of Nanyuki, 200 kilometers from Nairobi, which are still suffering, today, the consequences of a fire linked to a British military exercise in the region.
Read alsoKenya: the Masai demand compensation from Charles III for the spoliations of the British Empire
Waiting for repairs
All these communities are demanding compensation and this is where the situation becomes complicated.
More than 10,000 people died in the Mau Mau revolt, a number many say is underestimated, reports our correspondent in Nairobi, Albane Thirouard. Tens of thousands of Kenyans have also been detained in degrading conditions, suffering torture and rape.
In 2013, London paid almost £20 million in compensation to just over 5,000 Mau Mau veterans and expressed ” sincere regrets » for the atrocities committed, but for many in Kenya, it is not enough.
Read alsoCompensation for thousands of Kenyans victims of British colonial forces
Davis Malombe is the director of the Kenya Human Rights Commission. He expects firmer words: “ We call on the King to issue a public apology, on behalf of the British government. An unconditional and clear apology, not like the declaration of regret which was too cautious and preserved the government. An apology for the inhumane treatment that was meted out to Kenyans throughout the colonial period and continues to this day. This apology represents a key step in recognizing the suffering of the Kenyan people. »
However, apologizing would open the door to numerous legal proceedings. Davis Malombe also emphasizes other claims such as the Nandi community demanding the return of the skull of their decapitated tribal chief, whose head had been brought as a trophy to England – the family of the Mau Mau chief, Dedan Kimathiis still waiting for his remains – or the many communities who are fighting to recover their land that the settlers have, according to them, appropriated.
Demonstration prohibited
Thus, over the past week, many civil society organizations have expressed themselves, voices which are beginning to disturb the authorities. This Monday, October 30, the Kenyan Human Rights Commission and several Centers for Social Justice in working-class neighborhoods had planned a large demonstration which was banned.
“ Today [lundi 30 octobre], we had planned to meet at the foot of the statue of Dedan Kimathi, to show that we have not forgotten, that we remember everything, that we always demand that justice be done. But this was not possible due to threats from the police. Other people who were supposed to join us from the countryside were also forced to stay at home. We are not looking for disorder. We just want to send a message: King Charles is not welcome unless we get a formal apology, acknowledgment of the wrong done to our ancestors and restitution of our land. I think this protest has been canceled because unfortunately our government is against the people of Kenya. It just means that we live in a neocolonial state, where Kenyans still do not enjoy full sovereignty and the imperialists continue to pull the strings. Afterwards, the police just follow orders. She does what she is told to do », underlines Wanjira Wanjiru, coordinator of the Mathare Center for Social Justice, speaking to our correspondent in Nairobi, Gaëlle Laleix.
Bilateral relations
This visit by King Charles III and Queen Camilla aims to “ celebrate the warm relationship between the two countries » according to the official press release.
Kenya is a pillar of stability in the region », writes the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in a Kenyan daily. The partnership between the two countries “ has never been so strong » he emphasizes.
In the field of Defense in particular, the British army has kept a training camp in the center of the country. Young recruits come to train there, before being deployed abroad. British troops also train Kenyan soldiers in the fight against terrorism.
Cooperation is also important economically. The United Kingdom is Kenya’s fifth largest exporting country. It is also the first foreign investor. Large British companies are established there such as Finlays, Unilever and the Barclays bank.
However, for many Kenyans, the colonial past is still remembered. According to the official press release, the visit should “ recognize the more painful aspects of common history » of the two countries.
Read alsoKenya: the Masai demand compensation from Charles III for the spoliations of the British Empire