Why King Charles Needs Consent Before Apologising for Colonial Rule
On Tuesday, King Charles III acknowledged the violence inflicted on Kenyans by British authorities during the struggle for independence but refrained from issuing an apology.
During a State Banquet at State House hosted by President William Ruto, the King admitted to the excesses, expressing profound regret over the wrongdoings.
However, the King did not issue a formal apology, prompting inquiries as to why he did not.
Unbeknownst to many, the King cannot issue an official apology without the United Kingdom Executive’s sanction.
The monarchy is the United Kingdom’s oldest form of administration. However, the King has no political or executive responsibilities. As a result, he lacks the authority to implement legislation or make statements with significant political ramifications, as this is the responsibility of the elected government.
“The wrongdoings of the past are a cause of the greatest sorrow and the deepest regret,” King Charles stated.
“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.”
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“We cannot live as prisoners of the past. Neither can we go far into the future if we turn our backs on historical actions and omissions whose legacies encumber our present,” the head of state noted.
“While there have been efforts to atone for the death, injury, and suffering inflicted on Kenyan Africans by the colonial government, much remains to be done to achieve full reparations.”
Several human rights organizations have demanded that the British government apologize directly for colonial-era abuses such as torture, murder, and the forcible seizure of land.
In 2013, Britain acknowledged the atrocities and consented to a settlement of Ksh3.6 billion with the Mau Mau Veteran Association.
UK High Commissioner Neil Wigan, during a recent media interview, stated that the UK government hasn’t made an apology in any context, but had conveyed deep regret for the brutality.
“An apology starts to take you to a difficult legal territory, and the settlement we made was out of court, so it showed our sincerity and openness in recognizing the abuses that were committed. That was the route we chose and accepted to the Mau Mau Veterans Association,” he stated on October 24, 2023.
Why King Charles Needs Consent Before Apologising for Colonial Rule
