Yahoo Movies King Charles honours Kenyan war dead, but no apology for past ‘atrocities’
King Charles III and his wife Camilla honoured world war veterans and fallen soldiers at the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Kariakor, Nairobi, on their second day of a four-day state visit to Kenya.
Charles and Camilla, who laid a wreath in honour of soldiers who died in the two world wars, handed replacement medals to four World War II veterans who had lost them.
The four veterans – Ezekiel Nyanjom Anyange, Private John Kavai, Kefa Changira, and the 117-year-old corporal Samwel Ntigai Mburia – said they were happy to receive the medals in recognition for their service 78 years ago.
''You are amazing,'' King Charles told Cpl Nthinga Mburia as he handed him a medal.
Not enough
The ceremony came as civil groups and the families of people who had fought for independence from Britain, claim that recognition of the veterans is not enough.
Muhia Gitau, the leader of Murang’a Mau Mau veterans, told RFI-English that if the King and Britain were remorseful for what they did to Kenyans, he should apologise on behalf of his people and not merely recognise that what they did was wrong.
“Saying sorry for what they did to us is what we want to hear. Their sorry should be followed up by practical offerings," Gitau a resident of Kaharati in Murang’a, said.
Gitau is among thousands of Kenyans who suffered under the British rule during the struggle for Kenya’s independence 60 years ago.
For his part, Moses Munai, the Chairman of the Kipsigis Clan Association from Kenya’s Rift Valley, maintained that a real’ apology involves visiting the mistreated party.
“We fought for independence, we have it now, it is time to bury the past and think of what the future has for us.
Read more on RFI English
Read also:
King Charles III says 'no excuse' for British colonial atrocities in Kenya
Kenyans demand reparations from Britain ahead of King Charles's visit
