King Charles to express 'sorrow' during Royal Tour of Kenya but activists demand apology
King Charles to express 'sorrow' during Royal Tour of Kenya but activists demand apology
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King Charles is set to become the first royal to convey his sorrow over Britain's handling of the Mau Mau uprising during his state visit to Kenya this week.
The King will admit that Kenyans were subjected to torture during the 1950s uprising, however, he will refrain from extending an official apology.
Insiders claim the King will abide by government policy by not apologising or bringing up the topic of reparations while travelling on his royal tour.
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They also told The Mail: "The King will be working on his speeches for the state visit up to the last minute and always has sensitivity in mind.
"He will be mindful of expressing deep sorrow."
The King's deputy private secretary, Chris Fitzgerald, said: "His Majesty will take time during the visit to deepen his understanding of the wrongs suffered in this period by the people of Kenya."
Following an invitation from Kenya's president William Ruto, Charles III will make his first state visit outside of Europe as King on Tuesday, October 31.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will take their first Commonwealth trip to Kenya
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The visit falls in line with Kenya's plans to commemorate its 60th anniversary of independence and aims to strengthen ties with the UK.
Recently there have been many demands from campaigners that Britain pay reparations for its colonial past in Africa.
A decade ago, the British Government consented to compensate Kenyans who had been tortured during the revolt with around £20million.
According to the Kenya Human Rights Commission, Britain's suppression of the Mau Mau uprising resulted in the deaths and torture of 90,000 Kenyans.
King Charles will address sensitive historical topics in Kenya
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Kenyan activists wrote to Prince William last year calling for an apology and compensation for their "immense suffering under British rule".
The lawyer Joel Kimutai Bosek, who represents 100,000 Kenyans who claim the British pushed them off their ancestral land, told The Mail: "Charles owes us Kenyans an apology. And not just for the 1950s, but atrocities dating back to 1902.
"We want His Majesty to offer an apology and organise some form of financial reparations and compensation.
"The resources that the colonial government and the King's direct ancestors stole from us are mind-boggling."