Current:Home > MyKing Charles to acknowledge "painful aspects" of U.K., Kenya's shared past on visit to the African nation -FutureFinance
King Charles to acknowledge "painful aspects" of U.K., Kenya's shared past on visit to the African nation
View
Date:2025-04-16 21:00:26
Nairobi, Kenya — King Charles III is in Kenya for his first state visit to a Commonwealth country as monarch. He will acknowledge the "painful aspects" of the countries' shared history while underscoring his commitment to an organization that's been central to Britain's global power since World War II.
The four-day visit is full of symbolism. Charles' mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, learned that she had become the U.K. monarch while visiting a game preserve in the East African nation, at the time a British colony, in 1952.
The king and Queen Camilla touched down in the capital, Nairobi, late Monday and were given a ceremonial welcome Tuesday by Kenyan President William Ruto at State House. Charles later planted an African fern tree seedling in its lawn.
- Why Britain's royals won't apologize for profiting off slavery
The royal couple also visited the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at gardens named Uhuru, which is Swahili for freedom. The king and Ruto laid wreaths, then proceeded to the site of the declaration of Kenya's independence in 1963.
Comments by the king and Kenya's president were not immediately made available.
Kenya is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its independence this year. It and Britain have enjoyed a close and sometimes challenging relationship after the prolonged struggle against colonial rule, sometimes known as the Mau Mau Rebellion, in which thousands of Kenyans died.
Colonial authorities resorted to executions and detention without trial as they tried to put down the insurrection, and thousands of Kenyans said they were beaten and sexually assaulted by agents of the administration.
The British High Commission said Charles would "meet veterans and give his blessing to efforts by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to ensure Kenyans and Africans who supported British efforts in the World Wars are properly commemorated."
Salim David Nganga, 64, speaking in Jevanjee Gardens in Nairobi, where colonial statues were brought down in 2020, said the king ought to apologize to Kenyans first.
"The king should never have been allowed to step in this country, considering the dark history of British colonialists," he said.
The king's visit reignited some tensions over land in parts of Kenya.
Joel Kimutai Kimetto, 74, said his grandfather and father were kicked out of their ancestral home by the British.
"What is most painful is that years after the brutalities and the stealing of our land, British companies are still in possession of our ancestral homes, earning millions from their comfortable headquarters in the U.K., while our people remain squatters," he told the AP in a phone interview. "We ask President William Ruto and our leaders to use this golden opportunity to address our plight with the king."
Elsewhere, a planned protest and press conference by victims of a fire at a conservancy in central Kenya that was allegedly started by British soldiers in training was cancelled ahead of the king's visit.
The king also plans to visit Nairobi National Park and meet with environmental activist Wanjira Mathai, the daughter of late Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai, as he emphasizes his commitment to environmental protection.
The royal family has long ties to Africa. In 1947, the future queen pledged lifelong service to Britain and the Commonwealth during a speech from South Africa on her 21st birthday. Five years later, she and her late husband Prince Philip were visiting Aberdare National Park in Kenya when they learned that her father had died and she had become queen.
- In:
- King Charles III
- British Royal Family
- slavery
- Africa
- Kenya
- Britain
- United Kingdom
veryGood! (4124)
Related
- DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?
- Asa Hutchinson's anti-Trump presidential campaign mocked by DNC
- Blazers' Deandre Ayton unable to make it to game vs. Nets due to ice
- Boyfriend of woman fatally shot when they turned into the wrong driveway testifies in murder trial
- $73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
- Prominent NYC art dealer Brent Sikkema stabbed to death in Brazil; alleged killer arrested at gas station
- Over 580,000 beds are under recall because they can break or collapse during use
- Mila De Jesus’ Son Pedro Pays Tribute After Influencer’s Death
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Why Kaley Cuoco Doesn't Care What You Think About Letting Her 10-Month-Old Watch TV
Ranking
- Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
- U.S. attorney general meets with Uvalde families ahead of federal report about police response to school shooting
- Russia’s foreign minister rejects a US proposal to resume talks on nuclear arms control
- 5 people injured in series of 'unprovoked' stabbings in NYC; man arrested, reports say
- 'Most Whopper
- What If the Clean Energy Transition Costs Much Less Than We’ve Been Told?
- Rising temperatures from climate change could threaten rhinos in Africa, researchers say.
- Rising temperatures from climate change could threaten rhinos in Africa, researchers say.
Recommendation
Travis Hunter, the 2
Jacob Elordi takes a goofy tumble down the stairs in 'SNL' promo: Watch
Extreme cold weather causing oil spills in North Dakota; 60 reports over past week
Shooting inside popular mall in Kansas City, Missouri, injures 6
Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
Justice Department report details the how the shooting at a school in Uvalde, Texas, unfolded
Teens held in insect-infested cells, tortured with 'Baby Shark' among explosive claims in Kentucky lawsuit
University of Iowa names Beth Goetz permanent director of athletics