How Raila lobbied for Mau Mau payout

PHOTOS | FILE Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga personally lobbied British PM David Cameron for an out-of-court settlement for Mau Mau survivors.  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By JAMES NGUNJIRI ngunjirij@ke.nationmedia.com AND ANDREW TEYIE ateyie@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Sunday, June 16  2013 at  23:30

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga personally lobbied British PM David Cameron for an out-of-court settlement for Mau Mau survivors, the Nation has established.

Letters in our possession between Mr Odinga and Mr Cameron show the two leaders settled for a political solution instead of a judicial process to salvage relations between the two countries.

In a letter dated November 2, 2012, Mr Odinga requested Mr Cameron to consider settling the issue away from the courts after the London High Court ruled that the case proceeds to full trial.

“I would like to draw your attention to the Mau Mau cases ... They are likely to open up old wounds and whip up emotions as the court delves into the details,” stated Mr Odinga.

In the letters to Mr Cameron, Mr Odinga argued that a full trial might encourage stray suits.

“I believe it would be in our mutual interests to seek an out-of-court settlement in this matter. This would allow the petitioners, who are very advanced in age, to live the remainder of their lives in peace and comfort,” said Mr Odinga in the letter.

In his reply on December 13, 2012, Mr Cameron was cautious: “I have taken careful note of your advice to seek an out-of-court settlement,” stated Mr Cameron.

At the weekend, Mr Odinga praised Mr Cameron for settling the case out of court.

Meanwhile, Mau Mau freedom fighters from Nyeri County want all beneficiaries of the Sh2.6 billion British Government compensation made public.

Speaking over the weekend at Othaya Stadium, the freedom fighters said they were surprised names of the beneficiaries remained a secret and read mischief.

Mzee John Kiboko said suspicion was rife among Mau Mau War Veterans Association members that most of the genuine freedom fighters were not covered in the compensation deal.