In a much-anticipated arrival, King Charles of England touched down in Kenya a few hours ago. The visit has stirred excitement in the hearts of Kenyans, and there’s a compelling reason for it. The shadow of Britain’s controversial colonial history looms large as King Charles embarks on a four-day state visit. The monarch is ready to confront the “painful aspects” of the shared history between the two nations, as local leaders push for reparations.
It’s important to note that Africa, in general, was significantly exploited during the colonial era, with many of its valuable resources taken and placed in foreign museums. While the wounds of the past run deep, some argue that colonialism did bring certain benefits, such as the elimination of harmful traditions and the establishment of schools and churches.
Accompanied by Queen Camilla, this marks King Charles’ first visit as a monarch to a former colony. Their arrival in Nairobi was greeted by a rainy morning, where they received a warm welcome at the Presidential Palace, complete with a 21-gun salute and a guard of honor. President William Ruto joined them to plant trees in the palace grounds. Later, at Uhuru Gardens, the royal couple paid their respects by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, the site of Kenya’s declaration of independence in December 1963.
This visit comes at a time when former colonies are demanding more recognition of the wrongs of British colonialism. Some, like Barbados and Jamaica, are reevaluating their ties to the monarchy. Notably, during last year’s Commonwealth summit, Charles, while still the heir to the throne, surprised many by acknowledging slavery’s role in the organization’s history.
In particular, many citizens of former British colonies, including leaders of Kenya’s Nandi people, are calling for Charles to take a step further. They want a direct apology and an endorsement of reparations for the colonial-era abuses, which include torture, killings, and widespread land expropriation, much of which is still held by the British. Buckingham Palace has stated that this visit is meant to “acknowledge the more painful aspects of the UK and Kenya’s shared history, including the Emergency (1952-1960).”
During the Mau Mau revolt of 1952-1960 in central Kenya, approximately 90,000 Kenyans suffered death or injuries, with 160,000 detained, according to estimates by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC). In 2013, the UK government expressed regret for these abuses and agreed to a £20 million settlement.
The legacy of Nandi King Koitalel Arap Samoei, who led a decade-long rebellion until his assassination by a British colonel in 1905, remains a source of historical tension. The British confiscated much of his people’s land and cattle in the aftermath. While acknowledging British contributions to Kenya such as education and public health systems, Samoei’s great-grandson, Kipchoge araap Chomu, stressed the need for a public apology and reparations.
King Charles’ visit also includes meetings with entrepreneurs in Kenya’s thriving tech sector, tours of wildlife facilities, and a journey to the southeastern port city of Mombasa. The world watches as this visit unfolds, with hopes for a reckoning with history and a path towards reconciliation.
