A fresh row has erupted over alleged pending compensation claims for former Mau Mau veterans by the British government.

A lobby group identifying itself as Mau Children Post-Colonial Elites claim it had formally written to the British Embassy and Chinga MCA Kiruga Thuku over the issue of unpaid dues to victims of Kenya’s liberation struggle or their immediate families but no response has been forthcoming.

The group composed of Mau Mau War Veterans Associates, Mau Indigenous Knowledge, Jeremiah Mugi Foundation and MMV Associates has further scheduled a media briefing at the Nyeri Express Inn Hotel on February 12 to announce their next course of action in regard to the matter.

“The purpose of this briefing is to address the continued silence from both the British and MCA Kiruga Thuku regarding our formal letters dated January 27 2025.In these letters, we raised critical concerns that required their urgent attention, and we explicitly provided a 14-day response period. However, as of today (February 11), the deadline has passed and neither party has acknowledged nor responded to our communication. This disregard for engagement and dialogue is not only unacceptable but also a clear demonstration of negligence on their part.” read part of the press statement signed by the lobby’s Secretary Mr Johnstone Munyao.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, one of the aggrieved members from the group told KNA Kiruga had been interfering with their efforts of seeking justice from the UK government instead offering help.

The member who claims to be a descendant of a notable Mau Mau freedom fighter from Nyeri claims the MCA had written to the British Embassy in a bid to block the lobbyist from accessing any compensation from the former colonial power.

“Kiruga is not part of the Mau Mau family. We may not know why he had gone to seek clarification on a matter which he is not a part of. If he was of a Mau Mau family, we would understand that concept. But since he is not a Mau Mau (family) member, how can he go to seek information from the British government about compensation?” he asked, and added, “Giving misleading information regarding these claims shows he has personal interest.”

The Chinga lawmaker has refuted the allegations of having a hand in the matter dismissing Mau Mau Children Post-Colonial Elites as self-seekers out to swindle gullible members of the public.

He dismissed the group as a bunch of fraudsters who have nothing to offer to those who fought for the independence of this country and dared them to take legal action against him in case they have sufficient evidence linking him to their aborted efforts in seeking compensation from the UK government.

“I personally don’t know how the said group operated until I heard how it was going around defrauding the public on the pretext of pushing for compensation for families whose relatives had suffered atrocities under the British colonial rule. I later wrote to the British Embassy and they clarified the matter on compensation for former Mau Mau war veterans in finality. If I ever said anything contrary to the report let them take me to court.” he said.

Last month the British government denied claims of existence of any compensation funds for descendants of Mau Mau freedom fighters.

British High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan, while responding to Kiruga regarding the reparation twist, clarified that the final settlement claim was made in 2013. The envoy also stated that any allegations levelled against the President William Ruto or his government of withholding such monies is therefore false.

“We wish to clarify that the British Government has not disbursed any compensation to the government of Kenya or to any individuals or groups associated with Mau Mau descendants since the 2013 final settlement of claims,” read the letter.

Wigan further cautioned the public against falling prey to individuals soliciting money from individuals or groups while purporting to be in a position to facilitate compensation.

In June 2013, then UK Foreign Secretary William Hague announced his government’s decision to pay reparations to all Kenyans tortured by the British colonial administration during the Mau Mau Uprising.

Hague said his government would disburse $20 million as compensation to the victims while disclosing that the UK government did recognise Kenyans were tortured and regretted abuses that took place.

He also announced plans to construct a permanent memorial statue close to hundreds of victims of the freedom struggle in Nairobi.

“I would like to make it clear now, and for the first time on behalf of Her Majesty’s government, that we understand the pain and grievance felt by those who were involved in the events of the emergency in Kenya,” he told the House of Commons in June 2013.

“The British government sincerely regrets that these abuses took place and that they marred Kenya’s progress towards independence.”

Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) puts the number of Kenyans tortured and executed during the Mau Mau rebellion at 90,000 with another 160,000 being detained in inhumane condition.

The Mau Mau uprising which lasted between 1952 and 1960 arose as an agitation for freedom and land that had been alienated from Africans by the British colonialists.

• A Tell / KNA report / By Samuel Maina