King Charles III expressed his deep regret and sorrow for the past atrocities committed by the British government against Kenyans during their struggle for independence, labeling them as “abhorrent and unjustifiable.”

The King, accompanied by Queen Camilla, made these remarks during a State Banquet hosted by President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto during their visit to Kenya in October 2023.

At the event, also attended by Opposition chief Raila Odinga, King Charles III addressed the painful past, saying, “There were abhorrent and unjustifiable acts of violence committed against Kenyans as they waged a painful struggle for independence and sovereignty – and for that, there can be no excuse.”

While he did not offer a formal apology, the King acknowledged the “painful aspects” of the United Kingdom’s colonial history. The visit, however, has been marked by demands from rights groups and survivors for a public apology and reparations.

King Charles III expressed his willingness to meet with those who were affected by these historical wrongs to “deepen my own understanding of these wrongs.” He emphasized the importance of both sides addressing historical injustices with honesty and openness.

The King spoke of the need for both nations to come together and address the injustices of the past, stating that it would strengthen the relationship between the United Kingdom and Kenya. He quoted Jomo Kenyatta, saying, “Our children may learn about the heroes of the past. Our task is to make ourselves the architects of the future.”

The King’s visit was overshadowed by the brutal suppression of the Mau Mau uprising in the 1950s, in which over 10,000 people were killed, and others were tortured, marking one of the British Empire’s most violent insurgencies. The Mau Mau resistance group remained outlawed and was designated a terrorist organization by the colonial government and subsequent administrations in independent Kenya.

It was not until 2003 that the law was changed, and members of the Mau Mau were finally recognized as freedom fighters.

The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) had previously called for a public apology and compensation for victims of British historical injustices, demanding that it be “unconditional and unequivocal.” They also called for effective reparations in line with United Nations Principles and Guidelines. 

Rights groups in Kenya had faced hurdles, with police blocking an attempt by survivors of British Army crimes in Kenya to hold a press conference at the Boulevard Hotel. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who was absent during their Majesties’ visit, has been an advocate for justice for Mau Mau uprising victims. By Bruhan Makong, Capital News

"Some shouted 'from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free', a genocidal demand to destroy the state of Israel and cleanse the territory of its Jews."

Responding to the scenes over recent weeks, the former Home Office advisor says the extremism we're now seeing on the streets of Britain calls for a complete overhaul of the Government's current assumptions about diversity and multiculturalism. 

He argues that our "pragmatic, informal, light-touch" approach no longer holds: "The diminished commitment to shared norms and our weaker common identity means there is less social trust to sustain our freedoms in the conventional way."

In a bold list of policy proposals to reinforce British norms, Mr Timothy says the Government must implement a "more muscular approach".

 

General Election - Social Issues© Getty

He calls for a "register of imams and mosques, with unacceptable behaviour leading to preaching bans and closures".

He also suggests Britain should follow France's example and ban the burqa in public places, and ban children from wearing the hijab.

Mr Timothy argues TV channels that broadcast hatred must be shut down, as well as charities that espouse extremist beliefs. 

The Tory candidate for West Suffolk - currently Matt Hancock's constituency - adds that all Sharia law must come to an end in Britain and Sharia marriages criminalised.

He denies that his policy prescriptions amount "to picking on the Islamic faith".

Mr Timothy argues the "problem we face emanates from the Islamic world", and "nothing will change until we tell ourselves the truth".

West Suffolk currently has a Tory majority of 23,000, so it's likely Mr Timothy will succeed in winning his seat regardless of Labour's national poll lead. Story By Christian Calgie, Daily Express

Ezekiel Odero of the New Life Prayer Centre and Church, Kilifi, is a free man after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Tuesday said they had no evidence linking him to the Shakahola massacre.

In a letter filed in court, Peter Kiprop, Coast Regional Coordinator, Office of the DPP, also directed Mombasa Criminal Investigations Officer to close the file on Odero and his church. 

Odero, who was arrested in April, was being investigated over a series of crimes including murder, money laundering, radicalisation and terrorism.

But yesterday, Shanzu Principal Magistrate Joe Omido closed the file and directed that Sh1.5 million cash bail be refunded. 

State Prosecutor Anthony Musyoka said investigations had been completed and the file closed. “We have a report dated October 30, 2023, from ODPP regional coordinator. We are of the opinion the case be closed as the investigations are complete and the respective files forwarded to the office of the ODPP,” he said.

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  Shakahola must not drive State to undermine religious freedom

Speaking after he was released, Odero said he had forgiven all those who had put him through wrongful prosecution.

He said his trial was a test for the church’s future.  “I knew we did nothing wrong and thanks for standing with us during the hard times. This was about the church and the future. The Lord saw it was worth us going through this as a way to glorify Him. I have no vendetta with anyone and all involved. Let the truth set you all free,” said Odero. 

His lawyers Cliff Ombeta, Dunstan Omari and Samson Nyaberi said they will not sue anyone for defamation. By Joackim Bwana, The Standard

Several classrooms in Mandera East are flooded with rainwater even as the national examinations kicked off.

The Standard has established that several classes in schools along River Daua have flooded with the rain waters after the river burst its banks on Sunday, 29 October, 2023.

The head teacher of Umar Faruuq Integrated Academy, Sheikh Abdirahman says they have shifted all the candidates to occupy lower classes for the exams.

"As all those three classrooms flood with water, we have moved all our 74 pupils to conduct their national examinations in the lower classes. The level of water is on the increase," he said.

River Daua has overflowed and burst its banks following heavy downpours that continuously rained in Mandera for the past four days.

However, the County Commissioner Amos Mariba said the government will ensure every pupil will sit for the exams regardless of the floods reported across the county.

"We are aware of some schools flooded with rain water but that will not stop us from conducting the exams. I assure you every pupil will sit for the examinations," Mariba said.

Mariba has also assured exams safety as thousands of security personnel disbursed to escort the exams to various schools countywide.

"Thousands of security officers both in uniform and civilian will be guarding the exams as a high number will be posted to schools along the borderlines", he added.

On the other hand, Mandera County Director of Education Abdi Sheikh while overseeing the disbursement of the today's papers, has assured the exams will safely reach all the schools in the county as choppers ferry the papers 

"Two choppers will be assisting 22 schools in the county to ferry the exam papers to far-flung and hard-to-reach schools across the county" Said Sheikh

Some 9,301 pupils in Mandera county will sit for KCPE examinations and another 8,586 pupils will be sitting for KPSEA. - Ibrahim Adan Ali, The Standard