Mau Mau reparations case

The Kenya Human Rights Commission has set up a listserve to enable information to be circulated as part of the mobilisation for the Mau Mau Reparations campaign.

The Nature of the Mau Mau Claim

The Kenya Land and Freedom Army (Mau Mau) claim relates to torture, cruel and degrading treatment of detainees perpetrated by the Kenyan Colonial Government during the State of Emergency (1952-60). It is a tortious claim based on negligence and will be instituted in the British High Court. The claimants are seeking compensation for personal injuries sustained while in detention camps of the Kenya Colonial Government which operated under the authority of Her Majesty’s Government (HMG). The proposed claims are based on the tort of negligence. It is alleged that HMG is liable not only because of actions of the Kenyan Colonial Government but for its failure to take any or adequate steps to prevent the widespread use of torture that it knew was being perpetrated in its name.

Campaign Objectives

The campaign seeks to:

1. Institute proceedings against the HMG in the British High Court with a view to achieve a ruling compelling HMG to pay reparations to Mau Mau torture survivors;
2. Build local and global awareness on the Mau Mau claim for reparations;
3. Energize ongoing efforts for recognition of Kenyan heroes and heroines;
4. Implant the tools for comprehensive transitional justice in Kenya.

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