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
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Must ReadKenya's recently ratified military pact with France has ignited a fierce debate, with critics warning that the agreement risks undermining national sovereignty and granting foreign troops impunity. The deal, which offers French forces diplomatic privileges and legal protections, comes as several other African nations are expelling Western military presences. Activists and Mau Mau veterans have highlighted the unresolved 2012 killing of Agnes Wanjiru, allegedly by British soldiers, as a stark example of the dangers of granting immunity to foreign troops. James Njuguna, Director General of the Mau Mau War Veterans Association, expressed dismay, stating that the government appears to prioritize foreigners over its own citizens and that the new pact will lead to similar issues as those associated with the British Army Training Unit Kenya BATUK. He warned that this military alignment could drag Kenya into geopolitical conflicts and strain relationships with other African and Arab nations. As Nairobi prepares to host a France-Africa summit on May 11th and 12th, 2026, where President William Ruto is expected to finalize the deal, civil society groups are organizing a counter-summit to protest the agreement. France's interest in Kenya is seen as a strategic move to secure a foothold in Anglophone Africa after losing military bases in several Francophone countries.
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