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King Charles Expresses “Deepest Regret” for Colonial Violence in Kenya But Does Not Offer Apology

HeadlineNov 01, 2023

King Charles has acknowledged Britain’s “deepest regret” for its “abhorrent and unjustifiable acts of violence” committed against former colony Kenya. But King Charles stopped short of an apology as he delivered his speech during a banquet as part of his four-day trip to Kenya. The Kenya Human Rights Commission had called on Charles to offer an “unequivocal public apology.” The group estimates that the Mau Mau revolt in central Kenya between 1952 and 1960 killed or maimed some 90,000 Kenyans. Another 160,000 were detained. The U.K. agreed in 2013 to a 20 million pound settlement for the atrocities it committed.

This is the great-grandson of King Koitalel arap Samoei, a Nandi chief who fought to end British colonial rule at the turn of the last century.

Kipchoge arap Chomu: “In fact, we don’t request. In fact, we have to demand a public apology from the government of British because of the atrocities they made on our people. The first one is an apology. After the apologies, we also expect a reparation.”

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