The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has demanded for an apology from King Charles III, ahead of his State Visit to Kenya set for Tuesday, October 31.
While speaking during a press conference on Sunday afternoon, KHRC called on the king to apologize for mass and systemic atrocities, and historic land injustices.
“We call for unequivocal apologies from King Charles, when he visits Kenya,” the rights group said.
Additionally, the team has extended its plead to the monarch to talk about corporate-related violations involving the British government and British corporations.
KHRC Demands
Moreover, the human rights body also wants the King to address the legacy of eight decades of British colonial rule, as well as the issue of foreigners owning large swaths of rich farmland.
Also Read: 7 Legal Exemptions for King Charles During His Visit to Kenya
Consequently, KHRC wants the Monarch to address reasons the United Kingdom has failed to accept responsibility for the crimes of British soldiers stationed in Kenya.
The rights group’s message to the King while recounting the 1952 emergency recalled the pain Kenyans were subjected to by the atrocities.
“The period of emergency 1952, Kenyans were subjected to atrocities beyond measure,” recounted the rights group.
According to the KHRC, between 1895 and 1963, the colonial government expanded prime land and introduced policing culture that suppressed Africans and oversaw human rights violations, particularly during the 1952 emergency.
Further they noted that the human rights violations Kenyans encountered back then is still felt to date.
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“The adverse effects of colonialism are still felt today,” stated KHRC.
Nonetheless, while demanding for an apology from the monarch, the human rights body highlighted the inhumane treatment Kenyans were subjected to by colonialists.
“During the period of colonization, Africans were subjected to unimaginable level of inhumane treatment, some killed, and others repressed for speaking out against the colonialists,” added the rights group.
Justice for Wanjiru
The rights group also brought up Agnes Wanjiru’s murder, for which they said her family is yet to receive justice 11 years later.
Worth noting, Wanjiru was allegedly murdered by British soldiers and her body dumped in a septic tank.
However, Wanjiru’s killers have never been charged.
King Charles III Kenyan Visit
King Charles III and his wife Queen Camilla are expected in Kenya on Tuesday for a four-day state visit.
The visit, according to Buckingham palace, is to ‘celebrate the warm relationship between the two countries and the strong and dynamic partnership they continue to forge.’
Also, the this visit by the Kind comes at a time when the United Kingdom and the royal family are under pressure to reexamine colonial history and apologize for its role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Behind the history and symbolism, Britain is eager to strengthen its modern relationship with Kenya, which includes counter-terrorism cooperation and efforts to increase annual trade of more than 1.1 billion pounds.
King Charles will underscore his commitment to environmental protection with visits to a national park to see vital conservation work undertaken by the Kenyan Wildlife Service.
Moreover, the Kind and his wife Queen Camila are set tour Nairobi, Mombasa, and surrounding areas.
