A section of North Rift leaders now wants solutions to historical land injustices and compensation of lives as a result of the British invasion to Kenya.
The leaders who spoke at the 116th Koitalel Arap Samoei Commemoration in Nandi Hills, said Kenyans are yet to get justice for atrocities meted on them by the colonialists.
Koitalel Samoei was Kalenjin’s leader who led the Nandi resistance against the British until when he was killed in 1905. His Talai clan as well as most Nandis were displaced by the British who still own huge tracks of land, including tea estates in Nandi.
But leaders now want reports, including the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) and other investigations that filed land injustices, implemented.
Speaking at the event, Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago said it is time Kenya started to get serious about the issues of colonial injustices, so as to practice full independence.
“It is time we look one another in the eye and begin sorting the (injustices) mess,” said Mandago.
“How happy can you be taking tea from Nandi, Kericho, and Bomet counties which came as a result of deaths of thousands of citizens of these counties?” he added while addressing the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.
Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, on his part, called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to speed up a reparation fund that was supposed to look into and support victims of historical injustices.
“The President declared about four years in parliament that he will establish a Sh10billion fund to support victims of historical injustices in colonial and successive governments. The President should therefore operationalize this fund.”
Sang also called for implementation and making public of the National Land Commission (NLC) and TJRC reports that also sought to solve land injustices in Kenya.
“It is upon us as the leadership led by President Uhuru Kenyatta to treat all Kenyans fairly. Let us have all atrocities committed against Kenyans attended to,” said Soy Member of Parliament, Caleb Kositany.
Other leaders present during the event include Deputy Governor Nandi County Dr. Yulita Cheruiyot, and her Trans Nzoia counterpart Dr. Stanley Kenei among other leaders.
