Britain Denies Sending Extra Funds to Ruto for Mau Mau Reparations

The British government has shut down renewed claims of fresh compensation to Mau Mau victims. 

In a letter addressed to Nyeri County, Chinga Ward MCA, Kiruga Thuku, the British High Commissioner to Kenya, Neil Wigan, affirmed that no additional compensation has been made to victims of the colonial government.

During the Mau Mau uprising, numerous Kenyans were subjected to severe human rights abuses, including torture, forced labour, and unlawful detentions, by British colonial authorities. This led to calls for compensation for victims of the British government activities in Kenya.

Online reports emerged this week indicating that the government may be holding money issued by the British as part of fresh compensation. 

However, the Commissioner, in a strongly worded letter, insisted that no payments have been made to the Kenyan government, individuals, or groups since the final settlement in 2013.

“We wish to clarify that the British Government has not disbursed any compensation to the Government of Kenya or to any individuals or groups associated with Mau Mau descendants since the 2013 final settlement of claims,” read the letter.

Adding, “Allegations that the President of the Republic of Kenya or the Government of Kenya is withholding compensation funds are therefore unfounded.”

The issue of compensation has been a sticky one, with the British government facing accusations of denying the dark past. 

In 2013, the British government agreed to compensate over 5,000 Mau Mau freedom fighters who suffered torture and abuse during the Mau Mau uprising in the 1950s. 

The settlement included a total of £19.9 million (about Ksh3.2 billion in the current exchange rates) in compensation, amounting to about £3,000 (about Ksh481,000 in the current exchange rates) per victim, along with an official apology and funding for a memorial in Kenya to honour the victims.

The path to compensation was impeded by the British government’s initial reluctance to admit wrongdoing and the suppression of pertinent documents.

The issue of Mau Mau compensation has sparked wider debates on reparations for colonial wrongs. Critics say paying for past injustices could create a difficult precedent, possibly leading to claims from other former colonies. 

They also question whether it’s fair or practical to compensate descendants of victims decades later. Supporters argue that recognising and compensating for these atrocities is crucial for justice and reconciliation.