A memorial, commemorating the suffering of those who were killed or injured during the Kenyan Emergency in the 1960s by the British Colonialists, will begin its work next month. The memorial, which will consist of a monument with a statue of two Mau Mau people , serves to promote reconciliation and is part of a settlement between the Mau Mau War Veteran Association and the British Government, which was announced in June last year.
The British government made a statement last year, expressing its regret over the violence that occurred against the Kenyan people while they were trying to emancipate themselves from British colonial rule. Foreign Secretary William Hague stated “We understand the pain and the grief felt by those who were involved in the events of emergency in Kenya. The British government recognises that Kenyans were subjected to torture and other forms of ill-treatment at the hands of the colonial administration,”
He added The British government sincerely regrets that these abuses took place and that they marred Kenya’s progress to independence. Torture and ill-treatment are abhorrent violations of human dignity which we unreservedly condemn.”
In 2009 the MMWVA along side the Kenya Human Rights commission brought individual cases of torture against the British government, who then agreed upon a settlement.
As part of the settlement, the British government agreed to pay the 5,228 people who were tortured at the hands of their ancestors a total of £2,650 each, as well as the memorial.
A competition was held to choose the design of the memorial and the Nairobi council has agrred that the monument will be situated on Freedom Corner.
The ground breaking ceremony will take place next month and will be unveiled on Mashujaa (Hero’s) Day, a holiday that celebrates those who helped bring about Kenya’s independence.
