Kenya’s Forgotten Children: A Fight for Justice

Kenyan children whose fathers were British soldiers fight for help and respect. In an important case, a lawyer goes up against the British forces.

Key Takeaways

  • Kenyan children whose fathers served in the British troops are fighting for money and respect.
  • Mixed-race Kenyan children face racism and identity problems because of their background.
  • Many people claim that British troops committed heinous crimes in Kenya for decades without facing consequences.
  • Instead of money, court groups are fighting for rights and fairness.

Louise Gitonga’s life illustrates a problem that spans decades. His mother, Margaret Wandia, met a British soldier training in Kenya for a short time before giving birth.

This encounter marked the beginning of a long and challenging journey. After spending a week together, Wandia gave birth to a mixed-race son.

Now 26, Gitonga is fighting in court for fairness and honor. Numerous stories circulate in Kenya about British soldiers like Gitonga.

Kelvin Kubai, a Kenyan lawyer, plans to take action. He represents 10 children whose fathers were British soldiers, including kids younger than 18 who still seek to understand their past.

Kubai wants to take some of these children to Britain to fight the government and obtain father recognition.

With the assistance of a British law firm, this legal strategy leverages the fact that children born to British citizens automatically gain citizenship.

However, this effort faces challenges, as many individuals have struggled for years to hold the British military accountable for its members’ actions.

Gitonga grapples with both personal and social issues. He expresses an identity crisis, feeling that people in Kenya don’t fully accept him as either Kenyan or British.

The sense of isolation drives some individuals to drink and lose their jobs. Racism persists, with his mother reporting that she had to incur additional costs for his education due to his perceived status as a “white child.”

His father, Paul Wachira, discusses the difficulties of raising a child with such a unique background. Over time, the number of mixed-race children born to British troops in Kenya has grown.

Jenerica Namoru, a mother of a five-year-old, struggled to receive financial assistance and support from the British Army Training Unit Kenya.

People refer to 68-year-old David Mwangi Macharia as “British” due to his lighter skin color, and they share stories about his biases and challenges.

Concerns about British troops in Kenya extend beyond isolated incidents. Under a $44 million, four-year agreement, thousands of British forces train in Kenya each year.

However, ongoing allegations of sexual assault have tarnished the reputation of this agreement. The Kenyan National Commission on Human Rights uncovered hundreds of claims that British troops raped women, but the British government denied these allegations.

They fear that they will not face consequences for their actions. The death of Agnes Wanjiru, a young woman who spent the night with British troops, starkly highlights the issues at hand.

Despite an investigation revealing that British troops killed her, no one has faced charges. Currently, Kubai leads efforts to address this situation.

He seeks the return of the children’s funds and acknowledges the identity challenges they face due to their mixed-race status.

People fight for more than just their rights and identity; they strive for acceptance, dignity, and fair treatment.

FAQ

Q) What does Kelvin Kubai want to achieve by going to court?
Kelvin Kubai is going to court to seek justice and assistance for Kenyan children whose fathers are British troops. He aims to secure British status and financial support for them.

Q) What are some of the challenges that these mixed-race children in Kenya face?
They experience significant abuse in school, work, and social situations.

Q) What is the history behind the allegations that British troops in Kenya committed horrific acts?
The Kenyan National Commission on Human Rights has limited responsibility, even though it has documented many cases of rape and sexual abuse committed by British troops.

Q) How long has this problem been ongoing?
Reports have emerged about British soldiers fathering children in Kenya since the colonial era.

Q) What is the latest state of the case in court?
Lawyer Kelvin Kubai is currently fundraising and preparing to take some children to the UK to initiate legal action there.

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