On the occasion of the visit of King Charles and Queen Camilla the question of whether the King should apologise for
the atrocities of British rule in Kenya came under scrutiny.
In the Times comments section some British folks are insisting there is nothing to apologise for the British colonisation of Kenya. Mau, Mau they say deserved what they got. One even claims that Britain brought them progress! Some were more sensible and accepted the wrongs that were done to the Africans by the British.
My comment was also published:
As someone who was born in Kenya I am appalled at the comments. The Mau, Mau were treated with extreme force by the British. The Kenyans were not allowed to go anywhere in their own country that was designated as White only. The colonialists lived like Maharajas enjoying the sunny weather and the magical wild life. They owned huge farms and exploited the resources of the country to the full. After all this the Kenyans carry no hatred. This says a lot about the African civilisation and culture.They welcome the British. The Royal couple are also being accorded great respect. It is only right for King Charles to acknowledge the wrong done to the people whose land was taken away and whose people were reduced to being called derogatory names. I remember reading books with titles like, ‘ The Savages of the Savanah’! Kenya today is a vibrant, successful country and a leading economy in Africa.
Nitin Mehta
I November 2023.
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