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.
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