Mau Mau veterans want beneficiaries names made public

Some members of the Mau Mau War Veterans Association in Othaya, Nyeri County attend a meeting on June 15, 2013. Photo/JOSEPH KANYI  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By JAMES NGUNJIRI ngunjirij@ke.nationmedia.com, 

Sunday, June 16   2013

 

Nyeri County Mau Mau veterans over the weekend demanded that names of beneficiaries for Sh2.6 billion by the British government be made public. Read (British envoy tells freedom groups to sue)

Speaking at Othaya stadium in what they termed as the Othaya Declaration, the veterans said the list of 5,228 beneficiaries earmarked for compensation had remained a secret affair and were reading mischief in the whole affair.

“We want to know if those who really fought for the freedom of this country are included in that list,” said Mzee John Kiboko.

More than 200 members of the Mau Mau War Veteran Association said the British government should halt the process of releasing the funds until a thorough headcount of genuine members is conducted.

“Most of us whom are alive today suffered during the struggle for independence and if we are left out of the compensation deal it will be unfair to us,” said Mzee Kiboko.

He also said that it was likely that many genuine former Mau Mau fighters from the county will not be compensated by the British government.

The members also said they will channel their concerns through lawyer Gibson Kamau Kuria.

“We request for the involvement of the government so that the freedom fighters who nobly fought for our independence are not exploited,” they said.