Mau Mau veterans criticize UK over reparations and military conduct
via Tuko6 min read
The Mau Mau War Veterans Association has criticized the United Kingdom, citing recent developments that they say show a continued refusal to fully address colonial injustices. Secretary General Gitu Wa Kahengeri highlighted the UK's abstention from a UN vote recognizing the transatlantic slave trade as a grave crime and a proposal by Reform UK to deny visas to citizens of countries seeking reparations. Kahengeri stated these actions reinforce a pattern where Britain acknowledges historical injustices but resists legal or financial consequences. He noted that a 2013 settlement for Mau Mau survivors, which included a formal apology but no acceptance of legal liability, capped accountability rather than expanding it. The association is now advocating for a comprehensive reparations framework. Additionally, the veterans raised concerns about the British Army Training Unit Kenya BATUK in Nanyuki, referencing a parliamentary inquiry that documented allegations including sexual violence, deaths from unexploded ordnance, and environmental damage. Kahengeri linked these incidents to the 2021 UK-Kenya Defence Cooperation Agreement, which he argues restricts Kenya's ability to prosecute British troops. He dismissed remarks by Roland Walker, head of the British Army, as insufficient, citing a lack of consequences for soldiers and independent oversight. With the Defence Cooperation Agreement up for renegotiation by the end of 2026, the Mau Mau War Veterans Association plans to push for re
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Tuko.
Must ReadA team of five wildlife veterinarians from the Kenya Wildlife Service KWS and three conservancies successfully performed what is believed to be the world's first corrective surgery for atresia ani on a five-day-old white rhinoceros calf named Bahati. Bahati, born at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, had a fatal congenital condition that left the calf without a rectal opening. The two-hour procedure, conducted at Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, involved creating a functional rectal opening. The operating team included Dr. Mukami Ruoro Oundo and Dr. Mathew Mutinda Ndunda from KWS, Dr. Robert Aruho from Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, Dr. Joseph Mbuthia from Ol Pejeta Conservancy, and Dr. Benjamin Oundo from Northern Kenya Veterinary Services. Following the surgery, Bahati was successfully revived and passed stool for the first time, confirming the procedure's success. KWS highlighted this as a landmark achievement in wildlife veterinary medicine and conservation collaboration, emphasizing the importance of such efforts for the conservation of white rhinoceroses, a conservation-dependent species.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations DCI in Kenya announced a major technology upgrade for processing Police Clearance Certificates, also known as Certificates of Good Conduct. The new Multi-Biometric Identification System MBIS-ABIS Version 5 is set to go live on Monday, July 20, 2026. The DCI stated that this platform will offer faster processing, smarter technology, and an improved experience for applicants, aiming to eliminate delays and enhance efficiency through advanced biometric technology. The agency assured the public of a smoother and more efficient application process, with more details to be released during the official launch.
The High Court in Kenya has dismissed a petition by the Rastafarian community that sought to decriminalize the use of bhang, also known as cannabis. Justice Bahati Mwamuye ruled that the evidence presented by the petitioners, aiming to link bhang use to their religious beliefs, was inconsistent. The petition had challenged the constitutionality of laws criminalizing bhang, arguing they infringed on the community's right to freedom of religion and worship. However, the court was not persuaded that the legal threshold to invalidate existing laws had been met. This decision means bhang remains an illegal substance in Kenya under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act, with possession, cultivation, trafficking, and consumption continuing to attract criminal penalties. The ruling is expected to influence future constitutional challenges regarding bhang use on religious grounds. The Rastafarian community has not yet indicated whether they will appeal the decision.