Kenyan independence veterans want apology from Britain

Kenyan independence veterans want Britain to publicly apologise for the beating, starvation and torture they say they suffered at the hands of British authorities when they fought against colonial rule more than 50 years ago, their lawyer said today.

The veterans will write a letter next week to British authorities to start a legal process in which they also want general compensation for the people affected, reparations to survivors and cancellation of Kenya’s debt to Britain, said British lawyer Martyn Day.

“We recognise the pain, suffering and torment these freedom fighters have gone through, many of them are still suffering from the after-effects today.

“We call on the British government to pay compensation to these people so that they can receive the justice they deserve,” Day said.