Kenyan Victims of Colonial Abuse Get Recognition!

I am taking a pause from the guest posts to talk about something truly ground-breaking in Africa today. Unfortunately, like much of African History, what is ground-breaking in Africa today was decided in London.

The 1950s Mau Mau Uprising/Rebellion in Kenya was brutally squashed by the British Colonial Government, whose officers raped, beat and even castrated Mau Mau fighters. Kenya gained its independence from Britain in 1963, but the British government yesterday for the first time acknowledged that violence had been used to put down the early freedom-fighters.

Foreign Secretary William Hague (not to be confused in articles with the actual Hague) announced to Parliament yesterday that the British government will pay 5, 228 surviving Mau Mau victims of British prison camps each around 4000USD (total payments around 3million USD).

Credit for the pic to the Guardian newspaper

Random Kate Thoughts: While this seems like a pittance for experiencing such hardships, this move by the British government could set a precedent for legal retribution on behalf of many other former British colonies. This could result in a wave of legal cases, assuming the former colony's victims are as organized as the former Mau Mau.

Just recognizing that they *might* have not been the most awesome colonial rulers ever (as they have lied to themselves for over 100 years) is a pretty big step for the Brits. Although they still don't recognize fault in themselves, they are willing to take a step towards "reconciliation," which is certainly better than nothing.

Interestingly enough, try as I might, google only wants me to see British newspaper articles on this story. Where are you, Kenyan papers?? Today is a day for celebration!