Three former Mau Mau freedom fighters have taken the British government [1] to the High Court in London demanding an apology and damages for brutality they suffered during the British colonial rule in Kenya.
Mau Mau was an anti-colonial group under Dedan Kimathi [2], which was involved in a military struggle [3] against the British between 1952 and 1960.
Tweets about the case are pouring in under the hashtag #MauMau:
@hellenotii [4]: Follow tag #MauMau for day 2 trial updates. 3 Kenyan claimants (1 died) allege #humanrights abuses by British soldiers. #ajstream #kenya
@CapitalFM_kenya [5]: #Raila says govt to finance the #MauMau veterans case against UK. Hearing of the case starts Monday at the Royal Courts of Justice in London
@rowenanews [6]: Bravo the Kenyans forcing UK to face their colonial crimes #maumau http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/in-a-british-court-after-60-years–the-elderly-kenyans-asking-for-justice-at-last-7946671.html
@fatimamanji [7]: So fascinating to watch how the #MauMau case is covered in the British press and the comments generated because of it.
@LindseyAGerman [8]: Solidarity with #MauMau Kenyans seeking justice at High Ct for atrocities committed by British in 50s. Hope they win after all these years
@JeromeTaylor [9] from the Independent newspaper tweets live from the courtroom:
@JeromeTaylor [10]: Kenyans are keeping a close eye on the Mau Mau case. Britain often lectures Africa on human rights whilst ignoring its own past excesses
@JeromeTaylor [11]: Colonial administrator Mr Whitehouse ordered inmates of Lodwar prison camp to call him “The God of Lodwar” according to Mr Nyingi #MauMau
@JeromeTaylor [12]: Mr Nyingi says #MauMau treated “even worse” after independence. “We were still imprisoned…we were never allowed to talk freey”
@JeromeTaylor [13]: Mr Nyingi was arrested Dec '52 & held for 9 yrs. He was “beaten by African home guard and European soldiers” #MauMau
@JeromeTaylor [14]: In his witness statement Mr Nzili says he was castrated at Embakasi detention centre. Says he saw others also castrated. #MauMau
@JeromeTaylor [15]: According to her witness statement Jane Muthoni Mara was severely sexually assaulted at the Gatithi Screening Centre #MauMau
@JeromeTaylor: [16] Colonial administrator Mr Whitehouse ordered inmates of Lodwar prison camp to call him “The God of Lodwar” according to Mr Nyingi #MauMau
@TandemLaw [17] live tweets:
@TandemLaw [18]: Court adjourned for lunch. Back at 14.00 GMT. #HumanRights #Kenya Follow LIVE tweets from the High Court on the #MauMau case
@TandemLaw [19]: GM – UK Government does not dispute each of the claimants suffered torture & ill treatment under colonial administration. #MauMau #Kenya
@TandemLaw [20]: So far Guy Mansfield for the defendant made it clear that injuries are not in dispute and has not questioned any claimant on them.
Follow live Twitter updates using the hashtag #MauMau [21].