King Charles acknowledges Kenya's colonial-era suffering, but falls short of offering an apology
King Charles III embarks on a historic state visit to Kenya, where he courageously confronts the painful remnants of British colonialism, signaling a possible shift towards reconciliation and understanding
Sign up for CNN's Royal News, a weekly newsletter that provides exclusive insights into the royal family's public engagements and behind-the-scenes activities. During his four-day state visit in Kenya, King Charles III was confronted with the unavoidable challenge of addressing Britain's colonial history.
Recent royal tours to former British colonies have been overshadowed by increasing calls for formal apologies and reparations. Buckingham Palace is determined to avoid a repetition of the contentious events that occurred during Prince William and Catherine's Caribbean trip last year, which included anti-monarchy demonstrations and uncomfortable encounters with local republican lawmakers.
As Kenya approaches its 60th anniversary of independence from Britain in December, Charles openly acknowledged the "most hurtful moments" of the lengthy and complex relationship during his visit to Nairobi's capital on Tuesday.
In a strongly-worded address at a state dinner hosted in his honor by Kenyan President William Ruto, the 74-year-old royal expressed to attendees that "the mistakes made in the past are a source of immense sadness and profound remorse."
He recognized the "abhorrent and unjustifiable acts of violence committed against Kenyans" in their struggle for statehood adding, "there can be no excuse."
On October 31, King Charles and Queen Camilla were accompanied by Kenyan President William Ruto and Kenyan First Lady Rachel Ruto as they made their way to the state banquet in Nairobi.
Charles expressed the significance of expanding his own comprehension of these injustices and his desire to personally connect with individuals whose lives and communities were severely impacted. "Although we cannot alter the past, we can illustrate the strength of our present friendship by confronting our history with sincerity and transparency. Through this, I believe we can forge a closer bond that will endure in the years to come."
Kenya has great importance for multiple members of the British royal family. This is the fourth visit for Charles to this East African nation and his first to a Commonwealth nation since becoming king.
It is the place where the Prince of Wales proposed to Kate Middleton. Additionally, it is where his mother visited as a princess but left as a Queen after her father's passing in 1952.
In the same year, the Mau Mau freedom fighters, who belonged to the largest ethnic Kikuyu tribe of the country, rose up against the British colonialists. The empire responded to this uprising by declaring a "state of emergency" and detaining numerous Kenyans in deplorable conditions. During their imprisonment, these individuals endured unspeakable acts of torture, such as castration and sexual assault, inflicted upon them by the colonial administration.
Estimates from the Kenyan Human Rights Commission (KHRC) suggest some 100,000 people in custody were tortured, maimed or killed during the violent eight-year period.
Mau Mau rebels held in a prison camp in Kenya in 1952.
Stroud/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Despite expressing remorse for the mistreatment, the King did not provide a formal apology or address reparations during his speech. The local discourse has been dominated by demands for a complete apology, with the KHRC urging Charles to publicly apologize unconditionally and unequivocally during his trip.
However, the responsibility for issuing such an apology lies with the UK government rather than any individual members of the royal family. The King's actions are limited to the guidance of his ministers when he represents the country internationally.
Ruto reacted to the King's admission of past mistakes, specifically addressing the brutal and violent handling of the Mau Mau uprising during the 1950s. He characterized Britain's colonial rule as merciless and the subsequent response from the administration as horribly cruel.
The Kenyan president emphasized that although there have been attempts to make amends for the deaths, injuries, and hardships endured by Kenyan Africans under colonial rule, there is still much work to be done to fully achieve reparations.
Ruto also praised the Kings for their exceptional bravery and willingness to acknowledge difficult realities.
In a previous event on Tuesday, the monarch paid a visit to the Uhuru Gardens, the site where Kenya proclaimed its independence in 1963. There, he placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. Afterwards, he embarked on a tour of a newly established museum that highlights Kenya's history. The museum features a "Tunnel of Martyrs," which serves as a powerful reminder of past injustices through the display of death warrants signed by the British.
The King, accompanied by President William Ruto, receives a guided tour of a new museum dedicated to Kenya's history on Tuesday.
Ian Vogler/Pool/Getty Images
"This is a highly encouraging first step, under your leadership, to deliver progress beyond tentative and equivocal half measures of past years," Ruto added.
Ten years ago, the British government compensated over 5,000 Kenyan claimants for human rights violations, acknowledging the historic abuses and expressing sincere regret. They paid £19.9 million (approximately $30 million at that time) but denied any liability. Even today, the wounds and trauma from that dark era continue to affect Evelyn Wanjugu Kimathi, the daughter of Dedan Kimathi, a prominent figure in the Mau Mau uprising.
Kimathi expressed her desire for Charles to issue a national apology, but acknowledged that as a non-political leader, he is unable to make political decisions. Although not anticipating a significant response, she emphasized that the Mau Mau community seeks concrete actions and remains committed to the pursuit of reparations. Kimathi concluded by asserting their determination to persist in the struggle for justice.
Here, the British King and Queen Camilla are paying their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior during their visit to Kenya. They have been invited by Ruto to celebrate the strong bond between the two nations. This visit comes at a significant time as Kenya gears up to mark 60 years of independence from Britain.
The Royal family's acknowledgment of Britain's imperial history and the sensitive issue of slavery's legacy have not only been addressed in Kenya. Changing perspectives have sparked discussions in numerous former British colonies, which form the 56-member Commonwealth organization that Prince Harry currently leads.
King Charles has expressed a willingness to Commonwealth leaders to explore innovative ways of recognizing our history. During the previous Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, he further emphasized the importance of this conversation, stating that it was long overdue and necessitated attentive listening.
Buckingham Palace said earlier this year that it would support research into the monarchys historical ties to the slave trade and the King takes the subject "profoundly seriously."
