King Charles Under Pressure To Acknowledge Colonial Legacy And Issue Apology During African State Visit.

By Caroline Ameh

The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) is spearheading efforts to secure acknowledgment and an official apology from the British government for historical injustices and colonial-era atrocities in Kenya.

In a comprehensive document submitted to the British High Commission, the KHRC is shedding light on a dark chapter in British colonial rule that has yet to be fully addressed.

Davinder Lamba, Chairperson of the KHRC, has called upon King Charles III to gain a deeper understanding of this history and recognize the need for an official apology.  Lamba stated, “We would like him now to come back and say, ‘well, I have a much deeper understanding than I expected,’ and we are demanding an apology, Kenyan people.”

The KHRC’s Executive Director, David Malombe, criticized the “statement of regret” issued by the British High Commissioner, emphasizing that a proper acknowledgment should include a formal apology.

According to Malombe, an apology is a public acknowledgment and affirmation that wrongs were committed, providing the basis for addressing historical injustices appropriately.

King Charles III’s state visit to  Kenya, his first to any African nation since ascending to the throne, is drawing global attention. This visit coincides with mounting pressure on the UK and the royal family to reexamine their colonial history and issue a public apology for their role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

The visit is not only of historical and symbolic significance but also presents an opportunity to strengthen modern relations between the UK and Kenya. This includes cooperation on counterterrorism and trade valued at over 1.1 billion pounds ($1.3 billion) annually.

During his visit, King Charles III is set to highlight his commitment to environmental conservation by visiting a national park to observe critical conservation efforts led by the Kenyan Wildlife Service. His willingness to address challenging historical issues is demonstrated by his decision to open royal archives to researchers investigating the monarchy’s connections to the slave trade.

Before ascending to the throne, King Charles acknowledged the “appalling atrocity of slavery” during a speech delivered on the Caribbean island of Barbados, signaling his dedication to addressing difficult aspects of history.