Families of War Veterans who fought for independence through the Dini ya Msambwa from western Kenya are asking for compensation from the government and colonialists.

The little known Mau Mau fighters from Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia and Trans Nzoia accused their counterparts from central Kenya of selfishness and marginalisation during the pursuit of reparations from the British government.

In June 2013, the UK government announced that it had finally agreed to pay compensation to thousands of victims of horrific torture during the British colonial rule in Kenya in the 1950s. This was nearly 50 years after Kenya became independent. Former British Foreign Secretary William Hague told the UK Parliament when h mad the announcement that a total of about $30 million (Ksh3.9 billion at current exchange rate) would be paid to 5,228 victims and the UK government “sincerely regrets” what happened to Africans.

However, liberation war veterans and their families in western Kenya did not get a cent of the money, hence the new push for reparations.

The families have condemned the manner in which they neglected and forgotten in favour of their compatriots from central Kenya despite the legacy of their forefathers who fought for independence and are still remembered as heroes today.

They said they have formed a Public Benefit Organization (PBO) to identify all the families of Mau War Veterans from western Kenya as a result of neglect and marginalisation. They are now pushing for recognition by the state and reparations in the same manner their counterparts in central Kenya were compensated.

Speaking in Kakamega town after submitting their memorandum to the Public Benefits Organisations Regulatory Authority (PBORA) during a public participation forum on the Public Benefits Organisations Regulations, 2025, the Mau War Veterans (MMV) Western Kenya said most of the families of the heroes are living in abject poverty.

Coordinator of MMV Kakamega Amos Wanjala said the veterans who fought for independence and are alive are struggling and the families of those who passed on live in squalor. He said they are joining hands with like-minded foundations such as the Jeremiah Mugi Foundation, Mau War Veterans and Dedan Kimathi Foundation to help the families of liberators to access justice.

They have identified families that belong to war veterans such as Elijah Masinde, Israel Khaoya Nyagah and Walimoli Wekuke, among others.

They noted that Elijah Masinde was involved in liberation during the colonial period in 1948 through the proscribed sect Dini ya Msambwa. He was deported and detained in Lamu after the colonial government banned and declared Dini ya Msambwa illegal.

He was later released in May 1960 but again detained between 1962 and 1968 during the pre-colonial period.  Walimoli Wekuke was deported to Lamu alongside Elijah Masinde.

“I thank the Organization of MMV, which has come to register us in order that we can receive compensation from former colonial rulers of Kenya,” noted Cosmas Chaka, who claims he hails from the family of Elijah Masinde.

Erick Bisuche Wekuke from Ndalu said the families of the war veterans from western Kenya were denied access to education as a result of the challenges they were subjected such as harassment and threats. He said their forefathers who went to fight for independence were absent from their homes for a very long time, especially when they were jailed hence could not contribute to their families for posterity.

Chairman of Bungoma County Mau War Veterans Mwok Psomboi Wapsambu said they are continuing to identify more families to co-opt them in the Mau War Veterans to seek compensation and address the injustices meted to them during the colonial period.

“We would like that the injustices that happened during the colonial period be addressed,” he noted.

“There are those who offered accommodation and cared for the ones who were fleeing from the radar and oppression of colonialists until independence was attained, we want them to be recognised also,” he noted.

Arap Mwok also said that to honour Kenyans who fought for liberation of the country from colonialists, the government should ensure families of liberators live decent lives.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Moses Wekesa