King Charles says 'no excuse' for colonial abuses during Kenya visit

Australian Community Media

During a banquet speech in Kenya, King Charles expressed sorrow and regret for the "abhorrent and unjustifiable acts of violence" during Kenya's fight for independence but stopped short of an apology.

Transcript

00:00 The wrongdoings of the past are a cause of the greatest sorrow and the deepest regret.

00:06 There were abhorrent and unjustifiable acts of violence committed against Kenyans as they

00:12 waged, as you said at the United Nations, a painful struggle for independence and sovereignty.

00:19 And for that, there can be no excuse.

00:22 In coming back to Kenya, it matters greatly to me that I should deepen my own understanding

00:29 of these wrongs and that I meet some of those whose lives and communities were so grievously

00:35 affected.

00:36 None of this can change the past, but by addressing our history with honesty and openness, we

00:44 can perhaps demonstrate the strength of our friendship today.

00:49 And in so doing, we can, I hope, continue to build an ever closer bond for the years

00:56 ahead.

00:56 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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