The Debate · Kenya
Restitution and Apology
Decades after independence, Kenyans took the British government to court over colonial abuses — and began asking for their stolen heritage back.
In 2009 five elderly Kenyans sued the British government over torture in Emergency-era camps. During the case, thousands of hidden colonial files — the Hanslope Park 'migrated archives' — came to light. In 2013 Britain settled, paying about £20 million to 5,228 claimants and expressing 'sincere regret', while not accepting legal liability.
Kenyan objects — shields, carvings, sacred items — are held in museums abroad. A 2021 project catalogued over 32,000 of them. The Nandi community has long asked for the return of Koitalel arap Samoei's remains, believed taken to Britain in 1905.
Timeline
- 2009
Mau Mau veterans file claims in London's High Court.
- 2011
Hidden 'migrated archives' revealed.
- 2013
Britain settles with 5,228 claimants.
- 2021
International Inventories Programme catalogues Kenyan objects abroad.
- 2023
King Charles expresses 'deepest regret' in Nairobi, without a formal apology.
Key vocabulary
- Restitution
- Returning something taken, or compensating for a wrong.
- Liability
- Legal responsibility for harm.
Discussion prompt
What is the difference between saying 'we regret' and saying 'we apologise'? Does it matter?
Quiz time
1. How many claimants received compensation in 2013?
2. What were the hidden colonial files called?
Answer every quiz question correctly above to mark this sub-topic complete.