King Charles III to Address Britain's Colonial Legacy during Visit to Kenya

King Charles III will make history during his visit to Kenya next week as he becomes the first member of the royal family to undertake such an endeavor in the country.

This is because, apart from the typical state banquets and similar events, he intends to recognize the "more distressing aspects" of the United Kingdom and Kenya's shared history, as stated by Buckingham Palace.

Beginning on Tuesday, the four-day visit coincides with the upcoming commemoration of 60 years of Kenya's independence from Britain. Queen Camilla will accompany Charles during the visit.

The Mau Mau uprising, a violent period resulting in the deaths of thousands, propelled Kenya towards independence in 1963. It is regarded as a highly brutal chapter in Britain's colonial history.

Originating from the Kikuyu tribe, the largest ethnic group in the country, the rebellion against British colonialists in Kenya in the 1950s led to the declaration of a "state of emergency" by the empire. This resulted in the detention of up to 160,000 Kenyans as the empire struggled to suppress the insurgency in one of its vital colonies.

The Kenyan Human Rights Commission estimates that around 90,000 individuals who were in custody faced torture, mutilation, or death. The conditions were deemed so severe that the colonial-era attorney-general of Britain compared the confinement of thousands in the squalid camps to Nazi Germany. The upcoming royal visit will primarily emphasize the deep bond between the two nations.

Chris Fitzgerald, the Deputy Private Secretary of the King, stated that the upcoming trip in the following week aims to "commemorate the strong bond between the people of Britain and Kenya in various sectors such as creative arts, technology, entrepreneurship, education, and innovation."

Additionally, he expressed that the visit will also involve acknowledging the painful chapters of both the UK and Kenya's intertwined history, particularly referring to the period known as the Emergency. During the visit, His Majesty will devote time to further comprehend the injustices endured by the Kenyan people in this era.

Days before the royal visit, leaders of the Nandi community have called on the UK to repatriate the skull of their slain leader, Koitalel arap Samoei, which is believed to be currently housed in a museum in the UK. According to Kenyas The Nation newspaper, the Nandi elders are also demanding the return of other stolen cultural artifacts and seeking compensation for the atrocities committed against their community during the colonial era.

Charles shaking hands with Kenyan president Jomo Kenyatta at his country home at Gatundi, near Nairobi, Kenya in 1971.

Keystone/Hulton Royals Collection/Getty Images

In 2013, after a lengthy legal battle initiated by a group of elderly Kenyans claiming to have suffered torture under British rule, former Foreign Secretary William Hague announced a settlement of £19.9 million (approximately $30 million) between the British Government and over 5,000 Kenyan claimants for human rights abuses. Additionally, a memorial for the victims of torture would be constructed. In a statement to the UK Parliament, Hague expressed sincere regret for the occurrence of these abuses, acknowledging that they hindered Kenya's progress towards independence. He unequivocally condemned torture and ill-treatment as reprehensible violations of human dignity.

Although the settlement acknowledged the suffering and injustice of the era, it did not fully acknowledge responsibility. Hague stated, "We still deny liability on behalf of the Government and British taxpayers today for the actions of the colonial administration concerning the claims."

A decade later, Charles will receive a formal reception at Nairobi's State House. He will hold bilateral discussions with President William Ruto and other officials from the Kenyan government, as well as take part in meetings with faith leaders, youth, and entrepreneurs during his visit.

This trip also signifies his initial visit to a country that is a member of the Commonwealth during his tenure.

Following his mother's reign, Charles assumed the leadership of this organization, which consists of sovereign states that originated from the decline of the British Empire. Since 1969, Charles has toured 48 out of the 56 Commonwealth nations, with his most recent visit being to Rwanda last year for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

During his visit, Charles acknowledged the profound historical origins of our modern relationship, rooted in the most distressing era of our past. He expressed his personal sadness regarding the immense suffering endured by many and emphasized his ongoing commitment to further comprehend the lasting consequences of slavery. His recent endorsement of investigations into the royal family's historical connection to the slave trade reaffirmed his stance.

Kenya holds a significant significance for the British royal family. Back in 1952, when she was still Princess Elizabeth, she received the news of her father's passing and her impending ascension to the throne while staying at the picturesque Treetops Lodge in the magnificent Aberdares mountains. Sadly, due to King Charles' tightly packed itinerary, he will be unable to visit this sentimental spot.