King Charles has conceded the “appalling and inexcusable actions of violence committed against Kenyans” during their liberation struggle. On his state visit to Kenya, he publicly recognized the usurpations that occurred during Britain’s colonial epoch.
At a state dinner in Nairobi, he expressed profound sorrow and regret with no room for rationalization. However, he stopped short of issuing a formal apology, a matter that apparently falls under the jurisdiction of governmental ministers.
Kenya’s President, William Ruto, commended the King’s bravery in confronting these disquieting truths. He candidly informed the King that colonial rule was “harsh and horrendous to African people,” and that complete reparations were yet to be actualized.
In anticipation of King’s inaugural visit to a Commonwealth country since his ascension to the throne, there had been conjectures about a possible symbolic royal apology. While this did not transpire, the King’s address at Kenya’s State House carried a significant, decisive recognition of the transgressions committed under colonial rule.
On the occasion of Kenya’s diamond jubilee of independence, the King declared his earnest wish to achieve a deeper comprehension of these historical injustices. He added that he wanted to meet some of those whose lives were brutally affected by colonialism.
Kenya has painful memories that vary with the suppression of the Mau Mau rebellion, a brutal episode in late colonial history, resulting in thousands of lives lost and widespread torture in the 1950s before independence.
A decade earlier, the UK Government voiced its regret over these past atrocities and announced a compensation amounting to almost £20m to more than 5,000 individuals as part of a ‘reconciliation process’.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has already rebuffed calls for an apology concerning the issue of slavery. Consequently, the absence of an apology during the Royal Visit is likely to have been a disappointment for some Kenyans, such as David Ngasura of the Kenyan Talai clan.
Despite concerns that an apology could be taken as a tacit admission of liability and thereby precipitate legal claims, Kenyan survivors of colonial excesses argue that an apology would foster healing and closure.
King Charles, who expressed a robust recognition of the “most painful times of our intertwined history” mentioned that the Britain-Kenya relation could be fortified through candid and open confrontation with the past.
His remarks were more forthright compared to a previous speech in Rwanda where he expressed his personal despair over the suffering induced by the slave trade.
The King, who expressed his speech in part Swahili, toasted to strong connections between the nations and reminisced about the affection his late mother had for the Kenyan people.
During the initial day of the state visit, King Charles had a meeting with President Ruto and visited an urban farm while also interacting with young Kenyan tech entrepreneurs. He subsequently visited a museum dedicated to Kenya’s historical journey and its fight for independence.
Having faced increasing questions on the legacies of colonialism and slavery during visits to Commonwealth countries, there have been demands for official apologies and reparations from the Royal Family.
Earlier, Buckingham Palace reported its support of independent investigations into the royal connections with the slave trade. Recently published research paints a convoluted picture of the royal attitudes towards slavery in the early 1800s.
Over the forthcoming days, the visit will concentrate on the cooperative work between Kenya and Britain, including in tackling climate change and promoting opportunities and employment for young people. There is also a planned meeting with faith leaders to discuss fostering links between communities.
