Elderly Mau Mau Survivors Push for Long-Delayed Compensation Before It's Too Late
NAROK, Kenya –
Veterans of Kenya’s independence struggle in Narok County are calling on the British government to fulfill its long-standing promise of compensation for the suffering endured during colonial rule. With time quickly running out, the aging Mau Mau heroes hope to receive justice while still alive to witness it.
Among them is Wanjiku Wagachoka, a 102-year-old veteran, who shared emotional memories of her involvement in the struggle for freedom. Speaking from her home in Majengo Estate, she recalled how, as a young woman, she would sneak food into forests and caves to feed the Mau Mau warriors—acts of quiet resistance that placed her life at constant risk.
“My husband was killed just days after our wedding. I raised our children alone, clinging to the hope that one day, we’d be compensated for our pain,” she said.
Promises Unfulfilled: Veterans Urge Action Before It’s Too Late
Despite public commitments by the British government to compensate colonial-era victims of abuse and torture, veterans like Wagachoka remain unpaid. Their hope now hinges on the Kenyan government’s ability to pressure Britain into releasing the promised funds.
“Our bodies are failing, but we still believe in justice,” she added, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.
Support for their cause continues to grow. Pastor Mark Montoro, a local community leader, urged Narok County to honour the veterans' legacy by building a museum at a site where many Mau Mau fighters were buried in mass graves.
“Future generations must understand our past. A museum would preserve the sacrifice of those who gave everything for our freedom,” he said.
Mau Mau Original Trust Calls for Unity and Speed
Daniel Kamau, Vice-Chairman of the Mau Mau Original Trust, commended the national government for the Older Persons Cash Transfer Programme but stressed that these social benefits cannot replace the justice owed for colonial-era atrocities.
“We’ve unified all Mau Mau factions to speak with one voice. The goal is simple: secure fair and timely compensation for the suffering our elders endured,” Kamau noted.
The trust has been pressing for the release of compensation, which they claim amounts to £364 trillion—a figure yet to be formally acknowledged or disbursed by the British government.
Britain Open to Dialogue but Cautions Against Misinformation
British High Commissioner to Kenya, Neil Wigan, previously stated the UK is open to engaging affected communities but dismissed rumors that the Kenyan government is holding onto compensation funds. He urged the public to avoid interactions with unauthorized individuals claiming to facilitate payments.
The demand for justice remains a deeply emotional and symbolic issue for the surviving Mau Mau veterans. With many well over 80, they are not just seeking money—they’re asking for closure, recognition, and the dignity of living their final days knowing that their sacrifices have not been forgotten.
