Case planned over colonial mayhem, killings in Nandi

The Nandi community will seek compensation from the British Government for the deaths of about 20,000 people and 150,000 livestock during the pre-independence war, Governor Cleophas Lagat has said.

A group of lawyers, he added, had been identified and asked to file the case.

The county boss said they had obtained important documents to support the suit against the British over the 1894 mass killings during the 11-year war in which property was also looted.

Interestingly, while the Nandi fought against the colonialists’ plan to have a railway line pass through their land, today, the situation is different.

Local leaders are urging the Jubilee government to ensure that the Standard Gauge Railway passes through the territory.

The Nandi fought against colonialists seeking to occupy the “White Highlands” that are now covered by tea plantations owned by multi-national companies.

MASS KILLING
Dr Lagat said thousands of men and children were killed in the war and many others detained, but to date, their families have not been compensated.

The governor was speaking at the Koitalel Samoei Museum in Nandi Hills on Saturday during a Mashujaa Day celebrations. Samoei was the hero who led the Nandi resistance against the British.

“Samoei and thousands of other Nandis were killed in 1905 after they had fought the British colonialists for 11 years. The British Government has neither paid out any compensation nor apologised to the community for the injustices,” Chesumei MP Elijah Lagat said.

Nandi leaders said that 109 years had gone by since the death of Samoei, yet demands for compensation from the British had not been met.

Dr Lagat also asked the British Government to return the community’s artefacts as well as Mr Samoei’s head, which was taken to Britain for scientific examination to establish the powers he held over his community in the fight against occupation.

NATIONAL HEROES

Samoei’s resistance forced the suspension of plans to build a railway line through the land of the Nandi people.

“The Nandi County Government will meet the costs of hiring 10 lawyers, who will work with other professionals from the community in seeking compensation and ensuring that justice is done,” Dr Lagat said.

The governor and Nandi Senator Stephen Sang asked the Jubilee Government to ensure that the Standard Gauge Railway line is constructed through Nandi County.

“During the Nandi rebellion against the colonialists, the community at the time strongly rejected the railway line. However, this time round, we want it to pass through our county in recognition of the Nandis who died while fighting for independence,” Mr Sang said.

“I have tabled a Motion in the Senate which will ensure all the 47 county governments build a Hall of Fame for their heroes.

“Once passed, prominent Nandi leaders such as Jean-Marie Seroney, Bishop Alexander Muge, Chelagat Mutai and Ezekiel Barngetuny will be honoured as national heroes for the crucial role they played,” he said.

MP Lagat lamented that while the British Government compensated the Mau Mau freedom fighters three years ago, it had neglected the plight of the Nandis during the struggle against colonisation.