William Hague details £19.9m payout to Mau Mau veterans

Summary

The UK government has reached a legal settlement with Kenyan citizens affected by the Mau Mau insurgency from 1952-1963. The settlement includes a £19.9 million compensation for 5,228 claimants and support for a Nairobi memorial to colonial-era torture victims. While the UK denies liability for colonial-era actions, it acknowledges the suffering and injustices, aiming to reconcile and strengthen future UK-Kenya relations.

Takeaways

• 🏛 The UK government acknowledged the pain and grievances of Kenyans who suffered during the Mau Mau insurgency from 1952 to 1963.
• 🕊 The British government recognized that Kenyans were subjected to torture and ill-treatment by the colonial administration during the emergency period.
• 🏥 The colonial authorities used capital punishment and harsh prison regimes, including 'rehabilitation' regimes, which were often brutal.
• 🏢 A legal settlement was reached by the UK government with the claimants' solicitors, totaling £19.9 million for 5,228 claimants and their legal costs.
• 🏗 The UK government will support the construction of a memorial in Nairobi to honor victims of torture and ill-treatment during the colonial era.
• 🤝 The settlement is intended to promote reconciliation and is supported by the Kenyan government, the Kenya Human Rights Commission, and the Mau Mau War Veterans Association.
• 📜 The UK continues to deny legal liability for the actions of the colonial administration, and the courts have made no finding of liability against the government in this case.
• 🌐 The settlement is not seen as a precedent for other former British colonial administrations and is part of a broader process of reconciliation.
• 🎉 The UK and Kenya are looking forward to celebrating Kenya's 50th anniversary of independence and strengthening their commercial, security, and personal ties.
• 🌟 The UK emphasizes the importance of learning from history while also building a strong foundation for future cooperation and friendship with Kenya.

Q & A

What was the time period of the Mau Mau insurgency in Kenya?

The Mau Mau insurgency in Kenya took place from October 1952 to December 1963.

What types of violence were committed during the emergency period in Kenya?

During the emergency period, widespread violence was committed by both sides, with many Kenyans being victims. Thousands of Mau Mau members were killed, and the Mau Mau were responsible for over 2,000 deaths, including 200 among British regiments and police.

What measures were introduced by the colonial authorities during the emergency period?

The colonial authorities introduced emergency regulations, banned political organizations, created prohibited areas, and enacted provisions for detention without trial. They also made unprecedented use of capital punishment and sanctioned harsh prison and so-called rehabilitation regimes.

What was the British government's stance on the events at Hola Camp in 1959?

There was recognition at the time of the brutality of the repressive measures, including an important debate in the British Parliament on the infamous events at Hola Camp in 1959.

What does the British government acknowledge regarding the treatment of Kenyans during the colonial era?

The British government acknowledges that Kenyans were subject to torture and other forms of ill-treatment at the hands of the colonial administration and sincerely regrets that these abuses took place.

When were the first claims brought to the High Court regarding the treatment of detainees during the emergency period?

The first claims were brought to the High Court in October 2009 by five individuals who were detained during the emergency period.

What was the outcome of the High Court's decision in 2011 regarding the liabilities of the colonial administration?

In 2011, the High Court rejected the claimants' arguments that the liabilities of the colonial administration transferred to the British government on independence.

What was the final settlement amount agreed upon between the government and the claimants' solicitors?

The final settlement amount agreed upon was for a total value of nineteen point nine million pounds, including a settlement sum for 5,228 claimants and a gross costs sum.

What is the purpose of the memorial to be constructed in Nairobi?

The memorial in Nairobi is to be constructed to honor the victims of torture and ill-treatment during the colonial era, as part of the process of reconciliation and healing.

How does the British government view the settlement in terms of liability and precedent for other colonial claims?

The British government continues to deny liability on behalf of the government and British taxpayers for the actions of the colonial administration. They do not believe this settlement establishes a precedent in relation to any other former British colonial administration.

What is the significance of the 50th anniversary of Kenya's independence mentioned in the script?

The 50th anniversary of Kenya's independence is significant as it marks a milestone in the country's history and is a time when the focus should be on strengthening future relations and cooperation, rather than being overshadowed by the past.