King Charles III visited a Nairobi war cemetery on Wednesday and laid a wreath in memory of Kenyans who fought with British troops in two world wars, a day after the monarch announced his “ deep regret and deepest regret” for colonial violence. era.
Charles, who arrived on Monday with Queen Camilla for his first official visit to a Commonwealth country as monarch, spoke of the “outrageous and unjustified acts of violence” committed against Kenyans when demanding they are free. However, he did not explicitly apologize for Britain’s actions in its former colony, as many Kenyans would like.
At a state banquet hosted by Kenyan President William Ruto on Tuesday, Carlos said there was “no excuse” for the “crimes of the past.” He noted that speaking to them openly and honestly allows us to “continue to build a closer bond in the years to come.”
After the coronation, the monarch presented replacement medals to the four veterans who lost them. Among them is 117-year-old Corporal Samwel Nthigai Mburia. The other three are soldiers John Kavai, Kefa Chagira and Ezekiel Nyanjom Anyange.
Kavai, 101, who fought in India and the former Burma in World War II, said his medals were a “joy and a source of pride” for him and his entire family, reminding him of his service. “I will not lose it until I die, and my children will be the guardians,” he added.
Mburia, who fought in Damascus, Cairo and Jerusalem, said he gave up his medal years ago for fear of association with the British colonizers, but is now happy to receive a replacement from the king.
The cemetery has 59 graves and is next to the Kariokor market, where there was a military administrative center that soldiers would pass through before traveling to the front. Carlos also met with members of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the resident community near the cemetery.
Kenya celebrates the 60th anniversary of its independence from the United Kingdom this year. The two countries have had close relations since independence, despite challenges after a long struggle against colonial rule, sometimes known as the Mau Mau Rebellion, in which thousands of Kenyans died.
Colonial authorities resorted to executions and detentions without trial in their attempt to quell the insurgency, and thousands of Kenyans reported being beaten and sexually assaulted by government agents.
Camila visited the Brooke Donkey Sanctuary in Nairobi on Wednesday to hear how the charity is working with the Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animals to save the donkeys. He saw how the donkeys are housed and cared for and met their owners, who explained the impact of the project on their lives.
Camila wore a cream-colored shirt dress with embroidered giraffes by Anna Valentine.
On the roads leading to the war cemetery, within walking distance of the financial district, there is a heavy deployment of security forces including soldiers, an anti-terrorist police unit, elite units and ordinary police.
Workers and pedestrians may use only one side of the road. A small crowd gathered outside the cemetery after the king’s arrival.
