A Very British Way of Torture | Featured Documentaries

Between 1952 and 1960, Britain fought a vicious war in Kenya against the anticolonial Mau Mau movement. It was an exceptionally bloody conflict, with atrocities committed on both sides.
For decades, many of the worst abuses by British colonial forces were kept hidden.
Piecing together survivor testimonies and expert analysis from British and Kenyan historians, this film tells a complete and detailed story for the first time of how Britain was involved in systemic torture - including accounts of murders, rapes and forced castrations.
A Very British Way of Torture is a film by Ed McGown and produced by Rob Newman.
Document archive is courtesy of the UK National Archives.
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#Britain #History #Documentary
@AljazeeraEnglish

[@aljazeeraenglish]

Many thanks for watching. Let us know what you think in the comments below. If you'd like to watch more documentaries from Al Jazeera, find them here: www.aljazeera.com/videos/documentary/ Follow us on Twitter twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook facebook.com/aljazeera Check out our Instagram page: instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish

[@pplopde4437]

At the the height of resistance to colonial rule in the 1950's at least 500k-1M kenyans, were tortured, killed, displaced or jailed in camps. After independence in 1963 Kenya introduced a new constitution with the help of THURGOOD MARSHALL(see "exporting american dreams" by Mary Dudziak),the first black US chief justice who was friends with Kenya's Nationalist leaders TOM MBOYA,JOMO KENYATTA and OGINGA ODINGA. The constitution protected racial minorities including white, asians/indians and arabs.

[@ricfermi5886]

As long as we can comment uncensored, I'd love to watch more documentaries.

[@afrikanheritage99]

Hello, thanks for your inspiring and informative documentaries 👍 How can I reach you via email?

[@semambonderea8206]

Give us more and also the hidden about the evil acts of these people

[@semambonderea8206]

Big thanks 👍 we appreciate... Mostly when you covered criminality that was done in Libya onto the let Muammah Gaddaffi who wanted much of unity among Arab and African nations

[@vickomen3697]

The British had gulags, torture chambers, concentration camps and apartheid system. When you hear apartheid you think about SA but it was also very real in Kenya. I really hope more people and specifically Kenyans will be taught about these horrid times in their history. Also, I'm working collectively with a group of young Kenyans to document this. Happy Jamhuri Day Kenya.

[@tatradak]

Maybe my English relation who was one of the few whites who were allowed to stay and keep their land should explain how it was so...

[@vickomen3697]

@@tatradak right now Kenya has these many ''Conservancies'': thousands of acres large where a few White ''conservationist'' families reside. You know why?

[@hellenwanjiru7965]

@@vickomen3697 Because independence was a hoax Kenyatta was a sell out,He worked hand in hand with British government.

[@shellibelli4387]

That would make for an interesting documentary.

[@kennethkinyanjuindungu871]

Would love to join your efforts

[@gakii.muthuri]

My grandmother used to tell me how they(the women) would go to Mt Kenya forest and leave food at a certain place so that the maumau who was mostly their husbands and fathers would not starve.... I feel so emotional watching this coz it hits home. She passed on in December 2021 and May God keep resting her soul in peace🕊️

[@Njeri_123]

May her soul rest in eternal peace. 🙏

[@joashwambua9988]

Oh

[@oliviamonteque6407]

@@Njeri_123 really!

[@jonathankaranja5857]

Sasa Gakii,,pia mimi nilisikia kutoka nyanya fulani eti walikuwa hata wanalazimishwa kula matoke mbichi.

[@daisymumbi]

This is true my grand ma told me the same

[@Mazillah]

As a South Sudanese who have read a lot about colonialism in books especially in Kenya I can sincerely confirm that the history is much shallow in books than how it it actually,This video need to be showed to every student doing history in school.Much much love Kenya.

[@Thegreatestofalltime1998]

Thank you 😊💕 very here is the upcoming Kenyan historian who is determined to change the perspectives of the new generation towards colonization and neuclonialism 🎉🎉

[@abukaribrahim4484]

Am Kenyan student and nothing was taught us about the atrocities of the colonisers. Nothing.

[@richardsanjose3692]

Yeah you're right. It seems man's inhumanity to his fellow man is the same and never changes. It's just whoever has their foot on top of the other one and they don't see it as torture

[@ashton1952]

The immense courage of those who finally stood up and said "no" to the abuse and dehumanizing, is a powerful message to anyone anywhere suffering similar things. It is almost like the eleven martyrs opened the door in the heavenly realm for their entire nation to be freed. Thank you for bringing us this history of Kenya 🙏

[@pattyoconnell1953]

Amen

[@mrb2643]

They are still doing this today under a different flag...called anti terrorism, invading and killing non white lands

[@mirenka24]

And thats why world has to stand with Palestine🍉

[@michaelmwangi5052]

As someone from Mt Kenya where the rebellion began, I'm glad that my grandmother who was part of the struggle and all these freedom fighters got to outlive some of those who authorized these atrocities. We'll never forget. God bless Kenya🇰🇪

[@misssexandsafari]

Amen.

[@thomaskristensen4679]

Reggie: All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us? Xerxes: Brought peace?

[@michaelmwangi5052]

@@thomaskristensen4679 Are you justifying what they did?

[@David-og7di]

@@michaelmwangi5052 I think he is white.

[@patohunja7981]

@@rxgames172 People from western nyanza and ukambani were hired by British colonists as soldiers and domestic workers

[@NdondoMicheal]

It flips the script as to whom is uncivilized. That was a strong line.

[@drewbranch7700]

Even when I was kid I used to scoff that “civilized “ notion about the British yet we were taught about their heinous crimes across the globe. The temerity of it;more like, the utter pretentiousness yet narcissism of the British.

[@arawiri]

I reckon

[@peterpan1435]

@@drewbranch7700 The British had to endure torture by the Vikings, Romans, Normans.

[@skalet66a]

@@peterpan1435 The British Are the Normans (and to some extent, the Vikings as well)

[@drewbranch7700]

@@peterpan1435Fascinating,is this your attempt to manufacture an excuse,talk about a futile premise on your end.🤔

[@Shaleqa_Adenan]

My beautiful neighbor! You are truly real Africa and we are proud to be next to you from Ethiopia 🇪🇹

[@OnvaspetInogirigozilla]

Appreciate that

[@omolaniayanshola4278]

I'm not even Kenyan but as an African this really hit home as though my country Nigeria where once British colonial country and I can't help but to cry for the tortured and suffering our four fathers had gone through for us to live i am so proud of thier resilience even though it cost many thier lifes may the deaths rest in eternity and May the spirit of our ancestors never leaf us god bless Africa

[@rickjames21]

I am 37 years old and remember reading and learning about the Mau Mau movement back in primary school in Lusaka. Thank you so much for this documentary. I had no idea how bad it was for our African brothers and sisters.

[@jean6872]

I was a European white boy during the Mau Mau crisis and I recall being afraid of Africans.

[@bendtnerimaerot3813]

And someone here still supporting England to win world cup

[@yamomma6479]

​@@jean6872 why? Only Europeans have proven to be bloodthirsty tyrants..and aberrations of civil society

[@jean6872]

@@yamomma6479 Nobody believes that black Africans are incapable of murder even on a mass scale. We have newspapers and TV you know.

[@XRTSDFA]

@@jean6872 why?

[@grase09]

My grandmother was so traumatized by her experience in the labor camps that she would break down at any instance of prompting memories of that dark period. I will never forget the sacrifice made by our forefathers for the sake of this country. I never thought it was this bad... not at all.

[@sumayyahadetunmbi4347]

Oh this is terrible, I hope your grandma is doing okay. Wishing her the best of health

[@ben33584]

Bad? It was far worse than what they show u here...some footage won't be shown for fear of sparking a revolution..

[@africaisking7817]

White People smh.

[@jonathankaranja5857]

Then there was this story about the Hola massacre (the 11 detainees), remember that story?

[@thetoughlove]

Your grandmother is a legend to be celebrated by all Kenyans..when we speak about mashujaa day I know it her and other who went through the traumatic ordeal that I am celebrating...show her love on my behalf

[@Outrageous_fault]

Gavaghan’s interview gave me chills. His body language shows he is lying. My grandfather was a mau mau oathist. He imprisoned in Manyani for over 7 years. His wives and children were also detained, beaten, property stolen and suffered. As a result my family is separated and divided. No one speaks about the generational trauma and effects that continues until today. There are lost generations. Our grandparents, our parents and ourselves. Broken families, alcoholism, psychological and emotional damage. I wish someone could make a documentary about this. I wish we could talk about this.

[@rahabwanjiru8803]

We are a product of this colonial trauma. Our grandparents and parents were damaged and wounded, never healed and here we are carrying the same wounds. I also hope someone can try to find out the effects of colonialism on families, psychological effects etc.

[@kim1570]

@@rahabwanjiru8803 Absolutely. This is one of the most important conversations we need to be having.

[@casteretpollux]

Sending hugs, comfort and tears for what you all have gone through and are going through. And deep thanks to all who have acted for human liberation.

[@kausalyabahadur7667]

Thank God for the freedom fighters. I'm a descendant of Indian indentured laborers from Guyana. I'm now learning my own history and will devote the rest of my life making sure that colonial atrocities all the the world do not get forgotten. How much heartache can one endure. We owe it to our ancestors to tell the story.

[@frankyyaggabot6222]

So you are a colonist? How many indigenous leaders of Guayna have there been - not many (zero actually) - ethnic Chinese, Indians, Africans - none of which is a native to Guyana and yet you hold political power over the natives. Hypocrisy much?

[@riccardo9383]

This documentary should be shown in every school around the world, and particularly in the UK.

[@steveerossa]

For what. To make them feel evil? To set them up for reparations demand? Power play so they open their borders.

[@mandago3783]

@@ricfermi5886 Let there be hatred if it must be for Truth. History can't be brushed like that and forgotten.

[@ah-bu6wh]

@@ricfermi5886 you scare dog?

[@njukimaregwa9179]

@@ricfermi5886 fala nyamaza

[@wdafuk1313]

@@mandago3783 Only the hatred isn't based on truth.

[@sultanthu]

This should be constantly played in all high schools in Kenya to make sure each generation understands and sees what 'colinialism' really meant. reading is one thing, seeing is another. Amazing work al Jazeera !

[@claudestuder4199]

No! This should be shown in schools all over the world!

[@johnnykilonzo2103]

Even Britains were once colonised by the Romans and they were enslaved. We should stop victimizing ourselves

[@sycamorevendor4959]

The present governments wouldn't let it happen. They wouldn't want the people know what they lost and continue losing. The present African governments are just a little less as exploitative as the colonizer. The government that took power from the colonizers set the pace that subsequent governments accelerated. Politicians thrive on the ignorance of the populace and they would like to sustain it that way.

[@GP-wt8eo]

@@johnnykilonzo2103 just stop.

[@johnnykilonzo2103]

@@GP-wt8eo even British schools are taught the cruelty and slavery they were forced by the Romans, Vikings and French for over 500 years. Every one was colonised, the world is cruel.

[@thatgirlg3719]

Whenever you ask an elder wholived through this ,"what happened?/was happening?" You always watch their faces and emotions change drastically. The memories haunt them decades later

[@human8454]

As an indian i can feel their pain.we support Kenya.😭

[@thomaskristensen4679]

Every Hindu should wake up every day and thank the gods that the British freed India from Muslim rule.

[@ayodejiolowokere1076]

@@thomaskristensen4679 rubbish. The Mughal Empire had been supplanted by the Hindu Marathas well before the British invasion.

[@badlav120]

@@thomaskristensen4679 than , what should we do to those who divided my country on the basis of religion ? Should we punish them or forgive them ? So called Britishers

[@hasanaliqadri1508]

@@thomaskristensen4679 and thanks the British for looting trillions of wealth and millions of death by creating artificial drought and dividing India on religious lines and still the British glorious loot and human rights violation going on around the world.

[@behroozajang1296]

But some Indian were hired and foughts in behalf of british army in Africa and else where .

[@garamabe6891]

My father said that the bombs were exploding so loudly that he was still traumatized early this year. He passed away in August this year without ever getting justice.

[@dlaru1376]

May you kin find peace now after years of trauma. May They be rested in eternity

[@itoeasuh850]

I studied the Mao Mao revolt and the British cruelty in so many parts of Africa saluting my Bantu family in Kenya from Cameroon 🇨🇲

[@OnvaspetInogirigozilla]

It is mau mau not mao mao

[@ODan-wz2lz]

I always regret that our school children are never taught this enough in schools. This should be hammered into every young generation lest we forget and let our guards down again.

[@abdinasirnathirmohamed6469]

This is investigative journalism at its best.Well done AlJazeera you never disappoint

[@aljazeeraenglish]

Thanks, dear Abdinasir. We're glad you liked it. 🙌

[@Tenacity101]

@@aljazeeraenglish thanks for bringing truths to light 😍

[@prematureoptimism7125]

You've got to be kidding me right ? . . . . No comment.

[@geekmeee]

As long as Al Jazeera tells what actually happened… (As opposed to ‘alternate facts’) They will never disappoint.

[@johnnykilonzo2103]

I hate the fact it's one sided. Of course they were brutal but don't forget the other side of the story. Britain were too Victims of violence torture and enslavement by the Roman empire and Vikings .

[@bevmunga4094]

As a Kenyan, I am Outraged! Disgusted! But blessed to be here as our forefathers fought hard for our freedom. God bless all the Mau Mau fighters.

[@j.granger1120]

They killed more Kenyans then British.

[@light279]

I am not from Kenya and to say I am outraged and disgusted is not enough to describe how I FEEL.

[@zertyuz]

As a Canadian... I am disgusted and ashamed. There was never any justification for what happened other than pure greed and hatred. Stay strong and bless Kenya. It was never about 'civilizing' because the English were never civilized in the first place, they just liked to think that.

[@ngashjr]

​@@zertyuz Yeah you can see it in their food and embracing eccentricism as culture. An empire built by crusaders, marauders and theiving pirates can only immitate civilization. They did all these underhanded things to the people of Kenya because they thought it would keep us under their boot forever. But that generation said, "give me liberty or death!" (Or something like that) After all this we still had to pay them some form of reparations for all the infrastructure they built here and had to keep a few expatriates around to train us how to run a country. Weirdly enough we still have some symbiotic relationship with Britain. Sometimes it feels like a toxic codependence!

[@frankyyaggabot6222]

You should perhaps also have an introduction to what the Mau Mau did (to mainly other native peoples). This was absent to the story and was so graphic that it probably would not pass the KZbin censors ... they were not saints and despised by many in Kenya (black and white). This story is lacking balance and many leaders in Kenya at the time (including Kenyatta) were extremely critical of the Mau Mau and would be dismayed that figures such as Kimathi are being lionised today. You should not base your feelings on a single biased show based on poor scholarship - do your own research.

[@ATLmodK]

I am studying the Troubles, the conflict in Northern Ireland, where General (Sir) Frank Kitson applied his counterinsurgency technique developed in Kenya. He wrote a book, Low Intensity Operations where he outlined his strategies for counterinsurgency. By his own admission he approved and applied torture to those he questioned and incarcerated in Kenya. It never occurred to him that extrajudicial killing and torturing Black People would ever be questioned. From this he made the same arguments in Cyprus and Aden, and then finally the Irish. Seemingly anyone who questioned British rule was so far inferior to the British military that they need not be considered human.

[@graudianyambura9654]

These kinds of truths should keep being told! Good job.

[@selaboy]

This is a masterpiece thanks Al Jazeera 🇴🇲💯

[@aljazeeraenglish]

Many thanks for your positive feedback, dear Suley. 🙌

[@sanjaychauhan1116]

@@aljazeeraenglish will you make documentary on migrant workers exploitation and killing in Qatar

[@brahma_the_daughter_eater]

@@sanjaychauhan1116 pajeets reacts like workers never dies in india

[@rico8573]

​@@sanjaychauhan1116 here come cow vigilante 😂

[@DavidOkikiAmayoJr.]

Al Jazeera's objectivity in reporting goes beyond 'truths,' well into fact. Fantastic docufilm.

[@aljazeeraenglish]

Many thanks, dear Trevor. 🙋

[@ricfermi5886]

This sort of revenge is sickening!

[@sanjaychauhan1116]

@@aljazeeraenglish will you make documentary on migrant workers exploitation and killing in Qatar

[@milaari3079]

@@sanjaychauhan1116 lets ask Al Jazeera to make Indian human right issue documentary instead.

[@milaari3079]

@@ricfermi5886 does it hurt to watch this reality news, Brit?

[@freakinfrugal5268]

It boils down to greed, the most evil of all human traits. The greed of men. Every evil grows out of greed. It's sickening. It's what is ruining this planet.

[@ronniekinsler2797]

Thank you for the exposure. Appreciate you and your staff.

[@Omer1996E.C]

As an Ethiopian, I feel for Kenyans, our siblings and neighbors. I know I'll never feel it since I had never experienced it, but it touches my heart a lot, even we were brutally treated in eritrea (eritrea and ethiopia are one in every thing, except the Italian made border) and ethiopia, during the second world War occupation, especially in addis ababa

[@lilac8794]

I love how Ethiopians are always standing with us Kenyans. God bless Ethiopians

[@eddyvos2628]

May the Lord keep and guide you.

[@lovettesmith8196]

And these are the demons that will talk about human rights???whaooo.

[@Omer1996E.C]

@@lovettesmith8196 Ikr

[@sentry8992]

Kenyans and Ethiopians and Eritreans should abandon those borders forced upon them by foreign occupiers and form one nation.

[@realgamer5636]

Al Jazeera documentaries are incomparable in today's times. keep it up.

[@aljazeeraenglish]

Thanks! 🙋

[@vickomen3697]

Been a fan since 2010 while quite young. I remember watching about the Syrian conflict. Then the Occupation of the American Mind really opened me up to the amazing work of Al Jazeera.

[@aljazeeraenglish]

Thanks a million, dear @@vickomen3697 🙌

[@hopethisworks1212]

Excellent.......makes me ashamed to be British

[@gratitude5740]

When I watched the part where the Kenyan flag was erected up on the pall, I got shivers and tears came down my face with gratitude and joy. I'm not Kenyan not British, I'm for fairness and freedom!❤ Nakupenda Kenya ! Mungu Akubariki milale!

[@eddiewangombe936]

As a Kenya I knew that our forefathers had it bad but had no idea how bad it was, this moved me to tears. We may forgive but never forget.

[@KeshiWangeci-tl4jm]

Only fools can forgive them why couldn't they forgive our people if they had offended them wake up

[@Powerful_Akoth]

Forgive people who have not asked for forgiveness? They don’t deserve forgiveness.

[@kap849]

​@@Powerful_AkothYou forgive for your own peace. Forgive but stay alert!

[@kikio-rq9kx]

Can’t forgive

[@hashimomar9935]

As an Arab ((my great grandma and my grandma are mijikendas one of the Bantu tribes)) born in Kenya on the coastal city of Mombasa where my ancestors came as trader before colonisation by British..This masterpiece has more information than what we were taught in Kenyan schools..Now am a foreign worker in Qatar and InshaAllah I will visit the Aljazeera offices soon.

[@hayfordsomuah1134]

Hp u are aware the Arabs enslaved us 5 centuries b4 the west came

[@hashimomar9935]

@@hayfordsomuah1134 Yeah I know that and I would like to tell you my grandmother and his mother both are Africans from the mijikenda tribe

[@ayankunleakanbi1650]

@@hashimomar9935 but how come U describe urself as an Arab. If the original ancestors were an Arab man & an African woman, that means U r at the most, half Arab! 🤷🏾

[@hashimomar9935]

@@ayankunleakanbi1650 I identify myself as an Arab because my father (an afro-arab) and mother (an Arab) so that's why Identify as an Arab

[@lputaa]

We used to learn about your ancestors in History classes...wow y'all came long ago...heri nyinyi mlikuwa second class,hii mbogi ya Maumau ilikuwa inafinywa 😭

[@jharbin4409]

Germany could never have moved forward if not for acknowledging their own atrocities. Britain should do the same.

[@ricfermi5886]

Acknowledging by coercion!

[@saliksayyar9793]

The victors write the histories, all evil is pinned on the defeated enemy. The Germans have not been allowed to read or write a balanced history. They are still defeated and not allowed to buy gas from Russia while Norway exports gas to Poland and the UK has its North Sea oil

[@ricfermi5886]

@@saliksayyar9793 Their thousand year old culture crushed, reduced to a seven-year hoax.

[@ricfermi5886]

@@availanila that will do the day the Africans acknowledge their being sub-par quasi humans.

[@ricfermi5886]

@@availanila it's you that should work out a way to be granted some feelings, only when you're graciously given some human feelings you'll understand what's shame. You haven't got feelings.

[@sherirobinson6867]

I've been waiting to find time to watch this... Excellent coverage, commentary and documentary. Another fabulous publication by AJ!

[@tortiedove]

Thank you for making this! I never knew about this struggle and dark period in Kenyan and British history.

[@nicoledinga9948]

Am so proud of my grandmothers and grandfather, for fighting in the mau mau, though one of my grandmother's jaw was broken by a British soldier with an AK 47, she is still the strongest woman I've ever met in my life! she is now 120 yrs looking beautiful strong and she has never even used any walking stick and to this day she amazes me..live long Granny ❤️

[@elondesignske]

Amazing 😻

[@dennisthumbi7598]

The British army has never used the AK 47, it's a Russian weapon. But long live cucu.

[@nicoledinga9948]

@@dennisthumbi7598 my bad, that's all we grew up knowing

[@elder-evmiriamwairimu-aris6453]

How can I meet her

[@cryptohornbill9658]

They brought along with them bombs, machine guns and artillery to fight the defenseless Africans 😂 but Winston Churchill cried to America for help when Germany rained havoc on their ships 😂😂.

[@EdwardKamaunbrows878]

Al Jazeera never lets down when they do such pieces. As a Kenyan, I rem my late grandad coming to tears when he narrated how they were tortured in one of the camps. This should be front page news. The British should be taught more about what their country did to other people. Jews never let world forget what was done to them neither should we

[@rahabwanjiku6231]

My grandmother has always told us about those times, but I didn't know it was that bad. I'm angry. We will never forget! 🇰🇪🇰🇪

[@omemaskema9012]

Thankuuu for this Aljazeera...thankuu

[@aljazeeraenglish]

Thank you for watching. 🙌

[@ibbbabn3788]

BBC should broadcast these atrocities committed by their forefathers

[@lputaa]

🤣😭💔

[@j.Hasan007]

Never...

[@milaari3079]

They Will never exposed themself

[@channeler231]

It will never happened the brits are too blind too arrogant to admit that they too were just as bad as the evil nazis were.

[@naimadido7263]

BBC was there taking part, doing their share of covering up. They can’t talk about this kind of history without admitting there involvement.

[@bagumampenda2275]

Qatar literally said to the British, “You wanna talk about human rights coz we got the World Cup? Let’s start here!”😅😅😅

[@abdinasirmohamed2238]

😁😁😁

[@tonnyanthonys2159]

True that 😃😃

[@Kannot2023]

The difference is timing, Brits did it half century ago. Qatar is doing now. Britain discussed this on public, when Qatar will discuss their problems?

[@xl6941]

Arabic brutalism is still existant and far much worse. Not just Qatar. Africans are enslaved in Arabic world to this day

[@bagumampenda2275]

@@Kannot2023 Qatar opened an ILO (UN labour rights arm) Project Office since 2018 specifically to address the migrant workers situation and they are going to make is a permanent arrangement. You probably did not know that since you are consumed by your virtue signalling. Britain did not address anything about colonialism, they created a problem and when they understood their empire was coming to an end they took they high road pretended to grant independence, just like they did with slavery. Also your argument that Britain did it 50 years ago and that they should be absolved is just stupid. Have you even watched the documentary? The people Britain tortured are still alive and they are giving their testimonies in the documentary.

[@fariedmaya3617]

Appreciate this kind of documentary, great job Al Jazeera. Keep dig for the truth, for justice of humanity.

[@SuperDiamondace]

This is a familiar story for us Kenyans esp if your grandparents come from Central Kenya. My grandma always narrates the gruesome torture they bore during British Colonialism. She tells it so vividly like it happened just yesterday. It's painful to know most of it was not documented including the emotional trauma. There's no enough compensation will be able to wipe their tears. She always tells to really value the cost of our freedom because it was very expensive. It cost many lives. May God bless the souls of our freedom fighters.

[@kenrichmwanza]

Such an Insightful Documentary! As a Kenyan, can those documents be put out for the Kenyan public? We have a right to understand our True History. This is not what They teach us in school.

[@ben33584]

Our scholastic education is still colonized sadly

[@AMarie2326]

They are there some are in Archives . But people’s minds need to be decolonized to see who the real culprits are.

[@joshuaombaka3116]

Really. I've listened to what is detailed in this documentary and it isn't new as much. We have it in primary book and detailed further in secondary school. Furthermore, we have literature that is availed to show proof that we also had homeguards that helped defeat Mau Mau. So, it is true that history details this

[@Black_ish77]

'What you cannot do with peace, you can archieve through war' gave the chills🥶

[@propertisyariahsemarang8142]

World class! thank you al Jazeera for showing the world the suffering of the Kenyan, greeting of solidarity from Indonesia

[@nancykahuho]

I am a kikuyu , my grandparents - specifically died fighting for the kenyan independence , they were buried in an unmarked graves - this set out so much pain tor my family , even today being the third - generations . In short poverty and survival took root . A home without a father - what happens to it ? Who protects the children and the vunerable woman left behind in the 1960’s.

[@jefmweds]

My Grandfather was a maumau, I shed tears after seeing the independence fireworks. The hypocrisy of the UK government is really wanting, just own up your mess. We Kenyans will never forget what was done to our ancestors, We will never! That should sink in to anyone who think we can be friends based on hypocrisy. We know that we are in a convenient relationship with them, who even today continue to look down on us kins because of skin color. I love my country. To the collaborators sons and daughters who continue to occupy leadership positions, being remorseful in your service is required. What you did to your brothers and sisters was terrible and we will never forget.

[@jonsimmons4150]

Uk biggest mistake in 1000 years was to get involved in ww2. Hitlers armies were there to keep Europe safe, instead of which we fought them, when the uk should have stayed independant.

[@sheilasullivan1950]

Forgive but do not forget. We Irish learned, many moons ago, that lesson.

[@ianbeddowes5362]

Red Salute yo your grandfather from a British Communist and former soldier of uMkhonto we Sizwe. Amandla!

[@adventureheads3657]

That's why I love Al Jazeera they show you real things that can't CNN or other news can't show

[@johnmohblaxta]

My grandpa was arrested and brutalized for he was one of those administering oath (mumma) to mau mau. My grandma told me they bribed the homeguards with 600 shillings, in terms of cash and goats for his release. Even now she's so traumatized about the events and just told me if mau mau came back she'd just commit suicide. She can't stand watching leave alone living those attrocities again. My grandpa died in 2002, injuries from torture contributed to his health complications.

[@davidnfila1316]

That's why Mugabe's land expropriation policy was the only appropriate action.

[@BlsdWageci]

This broke my heart on so many levels. Thank you! We needed to be taught and reminded what happened because most of our elders are no longer here to share their experiences. We should never forget. I pray Africa will stand united.

[@gaiamagna9156]

The best things of learning histories are to understand the present and to not repeat the same mistakes.

[@raeRai993]

History repeats. It’s sucks

[@hassanharith6820]

Some MISTAKE does happen trough ( underlying causes/reasons of) provocative actions, . . .i guess. * ie: trough ' kind demeanor ',. human right / or some people might called it ' hyper - liberal '. ** -Just opinion. -No intention to against the human rights.

[@artisthusnatalal3099]

*They own these International schools but they can't give an opportunity vacancy to Kenyans who are undergraduates with experience in Teaching. They keep bringing their people from abroad. I guess many of them are living in Kenya illegally. They should be investigated. These people are of themselves* 🤨

[@dedankinyanjui2185]

My grandfather died from the beatings he got from the colonial government, my granny would narrate this stories to us how she was left to look after the kids when grandfather went to the forest to fight and what nauseated her most was that there were fellow blacks that would be used by the whites to beat them up. At times she would get panic attacks by the sight of a white person. We shall never forget and thanks for this master piece

[@jeffmurage]

Much appreciated for this piece! Gracias!

[@MurreyEphraim]

When my grandma talks of the maumau times.. she sheds tears. Shes old but vividly recalls all the harsh, traumatic, painful and unforgettable ordeals. She traveled to Germany but came back shaken coz she feared that the whites might oppress her again.

[@elondesignske]

Wueeh so sorry 😔

[@richardsampras4574]

i wonder why she's not traumatized about what the mau mau were doing to people

[@eddyvos2628]

As a " white " I cannot begin to understand the trauma. But evil is and wad and will be everywhere. See the horror of the second world war, the gulag in Russia, the mass execution/oppression in China et cetera

[@sidneyachia1909]

@@richardsampras4574 having been PRISONERS of THE WHITE MAN from slightly after 1898, by the time it was 1952 these Africans were TIRED of living as THIRD CLASS CITIZENS in their own HOMELAND. It seems as though you don't know what it means to LOSE YOUR FREEDOM. Imagine being in a POLICE CELL for five days, ... no for FIFTY YEARS! We would expect you err by siding with the VICTIMS and not by siding with the PERPETRATORS. Have mercy. 🙏

[@eddyvos2628]

@@jacklinekarwitha9413 Oh no it is not like that. I don't try to minimise what Kenyans went through. I just didn't know about till recently. All I tried to say is I knew about the horror committed by king Leopold II in Congo. Sorry you felt this way. By the way, we are 1 race, the human race. Then also my daughter is half African. I might choose to retire somewhere in Africa. God bless Africa.

[@md.muzahidulislamsamrat8037]

I think I am a tough man, how did tears come to my eyes? Nobody should go through this level of dehumanization. My heartiest condolences to all native victims of Kenya. Free Palestine- the last colony of British empire

[@jacobfinder7476]

Yes, and the world needs to understand the Israeli genocide against the Palestinian people.

[@eltonlewis4979]

UK still have colonies ...gibraltar, bermuda, british virgin island, and others

[@ricfermi5886]

Ask Christiane Amanpour about Hutu and Tutsi

[@babangidaomolos5104]

@@ricfermi5886 follow the queen to her grave! 😂

[@ricfermi5886]

@@babangidaomolos5104 unlike subsahariens, we do have a soul. It's all there, written in the Holy Bible!

[@enduro5841]

It's sad that this parts of the history have been deducted. Thank you @Al Jazeera

[@DAVIDDOWNEY23]

Excellent documentary, well researched and very moving.

[@halimaissack4719]

As a kenyan this is really heartbreaking documentary.... people shed blood for kenya to gain freedom .Mau Mau our unsung heroes ....

[@peaceamani4186]

I think all of East Africa owes the Mau Mau a THANK YOU. I had always wondered why Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania got their independence around the same time. This makes it very clear.

[@gonnagritt1777]

kenya was a colony, uganda was a protectorate and tanganyika was under british trusteeship after germany lost it during WW 1. today we are defined by that.

[@peaceamani4186]

@@gonnagritt1777 those are just fancy words. We all know we were colonised

[@kim1570]

@@peaceamani4186 No they're not just fancy words, they're different forms of rulership that the colonialists imposed on us, that had vastly different effects on we Kenyans. You can never compare a protectorate to a colony, particularly a crown colony, which Kenya was.

[@thaliabeaby8202]

@@gonnagritt1777 Uganda was a protectorate thats true.Uganda had Buganda who rejected total subjugation,they were smart and assertive,the British had nothing to teach Buganda.She had her civilisation,organised leadership and strength over other nations.The British had no choice but to use civility because Buganda was civil.

[@gonnagritt1777]

@@thaliabeaby8202 but this did not end up well for UG..

[@joshuamohler2356]

Thank you for this informative documentary

[@abongderic8565]

aljazeera, you never disappoint!!

[@artisthusnatalal3099]

*And still some of our people are giving them respect of a higher level that they don't deserve. Sad* 🙄😏

[@lputaa]

These people are long gone dead... victims Tu ndio wako

[@j.Hasan007]

And media giving them real fake propaganda.I think, the media is most dangerous terrorist in modern era.

[@kahurire3498]

Mtoto wa nyoka ni nyoka

[@michaelrapando6658]

@@lputaa who lied to you,my grand father was born in 1925 and is still walking and talking well.His brothers were forcefully taken by the colonizers to fight in world war two and never came back

[@sammymwatha8977]

As a Kenyan, from Mt. Kenya region, where the Mau Mau began, my grandfather used to narrate to us when we were kids the untold horrors, torture, castration and evil they went through... And later learn it in school, albeit a more sanitized version of it .. I'm in my early thirties but the stories have stayed with me, often deeply and it makes me not take for granted the freedom that I enjoy... I'm pregnant with the fact that it was paid for by blood, our forefathers blood... Couldn't be more proud of them..

[@eddyvos2628]

As a belgian I am shocked by this documentary. I heard much more what happened in Congo. In 2017 I was in Kenya and heard about the land conflict. Now only I hear some horrifying details. May the Lord bring healing.

[@maasaimkisii9089]

*Proudly A Kenyan* 🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪

[@themogitworld]

Having been raised up by a son of a maumau, the stories that my grandparents always narrate to us are so traumatizing.

[@shellibelli4387]

The colonial superiority complex was still evident when I spent a year in Kenya in 1985, while working with the US Peace Corps (teaching math near Oyugis). I would occasionally meet a white Kenyan near Nairobi who had a disparaging attitude toward the black Kenyans. One made a mean comment about how the black women looked in polyester dresses. There were foreign missionaries from all over the world in Kenya trying to ‘save’ the black Kenyans while asking for weekly donations of coins for their small churches. I learned a lot from the Kenyans I lived and worked with. It was a wonderful place, especially far from Nairobi.

[@issamohamed9757]

The documentary has ignited a substantial conversation about the British imperial past in Kenya, and the role of the British monarchy in providing a cultural cover for the genocide and enslavement.

[@robertewing3114]

The media is a cultural cover for most State crimes. Republics do the same as monarchies, issuing official lies against individual citizens and calling it justice. These documents are of no interest to anyone influential, the public is told the law rules, the documents prove there is no law, all is lies. And there is nothing any one can do to induce the media to examine present State crimes, as told to the European Parliament systems are not serving people rather the people are serving the systems. Evil it is, yet the media will only say unofficially, I quote, Its all a con, isn't it?

[@DonAlpha]

The experiences that our grandparents would narrate to us would not only drive them but also us to painful tears.The kikuyu community paid a heavy price for kenya's freedom. I salute my two grandfathers who were mau mau fighters for braving up against British imperialism !! Even after losing thousands of its most energetic men ,the kikuyu community lives on nevertheless. God bless our nation kenya 🇰🇪

[@cynthiag.1306]

In 2018 I met two Mau Mau fighters ; a woman and a man, still living with bullets (what were called pellets in their days ) in their bodies. They were most happy that I had travelled from my town to Nyandarua without seeking permission or hanging the Kipande on my neck. They offered us food, prayed for us and gave us some money to use on our way back..they would not take no for an answer. They were never rewarded and lived as squatters, but they said my freedom of movement; and that of my colleagues was a great reward and that they could now rest (read die).

[@satyabratachatterjee1938]

This is what irks me a lot . The treatment that is given to these honourable people who fought and suffered to bring freedom to their country . They should be honoured they should find satisfaction in recognition of their sufferings and sacrifices . But the power goes to such people who are self important and they generally neglect these freedom fighters such that no one claims a share to their glory . I have read of this , seen this happen almost universally . It pains me a lot .

[@henrymutonga585]

Thanks for airing this cases, I hope the British young lads would watch this and learn from their past.

[@numinuecooper9975]

Don’t count n them to do right, they’re their fathers and mothers children. They’re photo copies of their parents, prepare yourself because history has a tendency of repeating itself. The solution to this madness is for Africa to unite and build a massive military force to protect the continent from the masses of evil, the real savages of the world.

[@estherwanjiru7005]

my grandmother had tales about the 'muthungu' .. what she went through is something she carried everyday of her life. May she rest in peace.

[@bemnetsileshi5222]

Thank you for this work!

[@aljazeeraenglish]

Thank you for taking the time to watch our documentary and share your positive feedback, dear Bemnet. 🙌

[@maghangamngangu6347]

The British also fought with Taita Tribe and took their land and never returned it upto today. Some Taitas in Kenya are living as squatters in their ancestral land

[@abocas]

I think you should address the Kenyatta family about this. They certainly learned something from the Brits. If nothing else else, they learned corruption and land grabbing .... big time!

[@rotich.5872]

Very nice documentary illustrating the struggles that the people of kenya were going through during the colonial era. Also the British lad who is directing this film is indeed an emblem of what journalism is, standing for truth regardless if it will favor you. Hats off to Proff Godfrey Muriuki.

[@Crabtree1844]

We now have neo-colonialism facilitated by corrupt politicians on the payroll of former colonists. They are the modern home guards facilitating torture, disappearance, murder of the governed.

[@satyabratachatterjee1938]

Greedy people , greed for fame , power or money or all three sold their souls to the colonisers . We had our share of them in this country, our India .

[@micerekariuki4714]

My grandma went through all this. She talks of the story as if it happened yesterday. She has a lot of pain and she is sooo traumatized. She lost a baby also during this time. She remembers Everything till today. This was wrong. What the mzungu did was wrong.

[@sheegrace]

Wow! Being Kenyan myself but born and grown up abroad and hearing stories from my grandparents about those horrific times, this was very enlightening. So sad that there has never been acknowledgement of all the atrocities that took place in Kenya and during British colonialism around the world. It is clear that they have tried to push it under the rug and no accountability has ever been taken at least. You can clearly see on Gavaghan's documentary excerpt he was absolutely unremorseful and in denial thinking he was doing right. I hope our and future generations learn from these mistakes and they are never repeated again!

[@davidlloyd-jones8519]

Mambo Shee. There is an eliment suspiciously missing from this story - and that is that the core maumau were visited by the russians - inspired by communism - and so the 'conflict' became far far greater and deeper than the story conveyed by this video. Yes i know many suffered - but just like today - the issues may appear to be racial - but the greater battle is between left/right ideologies and narratives - this reality is hiding in plain sight - even today.

[@ebbymangao3609]

Àaaàaaaaa❤❤

[@olabenne5519]

As a Tanzanian..am boiling with anger

[@sheilasullivan1950]

No, do not fall into that trap. To forgive is divine. Just be sure to not forget is the key. Peace to you. Us Irish were divided and conquered by them then scattered to the four winds as slaves. We made it. You will too. Eyes on heaven. That is our final destination. Saints get crucified in this world. Proof you are a holy people. Do not give up. Love beats all.

[@kaborimaish]

should we tell them? should we tell the world? should we tell them that even after all that torture and atrocities unleashed on the mau mau, it is the children and grand children of home guards, colonial chiefs and collaborators who are actually enjoying the fruits of this struggle

[@joyjewel8003]

Thankyou so much for this upload. We now know an important degree of truth during that time. We honour our freedom fighters

[@u.802]

hope this goes viral

[@natashaserem]

No European nation that participated in the scramble and partition of Africa and eventually leading to colonisation will ever accept or agree to the things they did to us. But still we live to fight another day. You may deny, but history never forgets. Thank you for this documentary. 🇰🇪

[@emmanueloban8349]

The Belgians under King Leopold was the culprit on the subjugation of African slaves. Belgium should pay reparations...

[@fruitsarelife7073]

@@emmanueloban8349 They are still exploiting Africa. There is no independence. Africa is neo-colonized. Let alone the west paying reperations. They are not done. That’s why we leave Africa.

[@emmanueloban8349]

@@fruitsarelife7073 it is so true!!! The United Nations had failed Africa in so many ways. Exploitation of people and natural resources are still going. Every non-profit groups I have heard on television that supposedly helping the Africans were just publicity stunts no more, no less.

[@Kosmas.9284]

They might be crushed by the Russians, that would be good karma!

[@jphalsberghe1]

@@emmanueloban8349 The bulk of ''Belgian'' atrocities were made under King Leopold 100% ownership of the Congo. He never set a step on ''his property''. Every year, he received ''business reports'' from ''managers many non-Belgians. He had no idea what happened in the Congo and in cas he had some information, he was too far away and probably would have condoned it. When news reached Belgium and England of massive repression in Leopold's Congo, the Belgian State forced its revered King to ''donate'' his property Congo to the Belgian State. Finally under heavy pressure, he gave in and a much softer Belgian State controlled ''colonialism'' followed. After lengthy Belgian military efforts, the Belgian State made an end to the countless Arab raids in the Congo to capture tens of thousands of Congolese slaves. History, real history is never only black and white.

[@nw504]

They are international narcissists and gaslighting savages! May God bless the people of Kenya.

[@jamesmwangi6816]

An eye-opening documentary.

[@michaelodonnell824]

Just in case anyone is under the impression that British Imperial atrocities were "ancient history", please let us remember that EVERYTHING related in this video happened while Elizabeth II was "Gloriously Reigning" and that the British Governments and Royals were fully aware and APPROVING of what happened. After the British were compelled to leave India, Kenya was the new "Jewel" in the Empire. Moreover, both Labour and the Conservatives were in Power while these atrocities were going on and BOTH approved.

[@theoddball1]

What Kenyans went through was totally inhuman.. Apart from the Mau Mau there were also atrocities done in western part of Kenya to the Nandi people (kalenjin dialect). Their leader was beheaded and his head taken to Britain. Up to date the British aren't willing to bring it back..

[@mamak6802]

Anti 🙆! Very sad indeed.

[@gilgilmore5471]

The Oddball It's essential that we teach our children their African History and for all of us to be a United African. Respect maintain our cultural traditions and help each other as Africans. This would help achieve a stronger united African Nations.

[@FreemanV99]

One thing that has always baffled me in colonialism is the idea of recruiting locals to use against their own people. An idea, without it, the very concept of colonisation wouldn't be possible.

[@kabegapascal8601]

It was a do or die in most cases people who dint do it where slaughtered

[@ricfermi5886]

Obviously it could only be possible with the locals!!

[@civirebel]

False promises of manifest destiny. Things are not what they seem, and what glitters is rarely gold.

[@JAN-SA]

Its still happening to this day in all civil wars where first world countries have boots on the ground and mercenaries .... Provide arms and pay locals to kill their own people around important natural resources and to destabalise the government and displace people....

[@ricfermi5886]

@@JAN-SA '...pay locals...' and Locals are more than happy to accept it.

[@njuenjagi4983]

As a Kenyan, and as an Embu where part of the Mau Mau came from.......this is heavy!

[@kim1570]

Kabisa. GEMA 💪🏿🙏🏿

[@neommutle8033]

Thank you AL J for doing this report. 🙏 The BBC will never do such a report.

[@nyamburamwende]

We. Remember. Forever. Our grandfathers and great grandfathers memories are within us.

[@kamandekimiti9664]

The documentary is deep, many thanks to you all in this effort. Kindly though, do not mention atrocities were committed on both sides, a thief who invades your private property brutally does deserve an equal measure of repulsion. That is not an atrocity, it is protecting what belongs to you by right.

[@aminaahmad8328]

True. True. Very true. Agree.

[@RaizanMedia]

So the Mau Mau brutally murdering fellow civilians must be ignored?

[@calacurrather9994]

Great Documentary. Kudos to Aljazeera.

[@aljazeeraenglish]

Thanks for your positive feedback. 🙌

[@laurarodriguezdiaz6489]

Excelente gracias from Spain

[@spicytomango]

I remember there were some Brits who were upset about some countries celebrating the Queen's passing. I hope this documentary is shared for all to see the horrors these monsters committed in her name. To deny what happened is to defend the unthinkable.

[@johnnykilonzo2103]

But Britain were once colonised by the Romans and they too suffered. Besides us Kenyans were killing each other

[@logic5204]

@@johnnykilonzo2103 Two wrongs don't make a right.

[@MarvoloSalazar]

@@logic5204 huyo jamaa anajaribu kusema nini sasa shenzi kabisa

[@michaelochido3244]

@@johnnykilonzo2103 sir do you actually hear what you are saying....so because the Romans colonized Britain,it was their right to commit dastardly atrocities and pillage,greed in their colonies...planned famine in India,brutal atrocities in Burma,Kenya,South Africa West indies ,Australia and many other countries!As a historian,I have read The iceman Inheritance...it answers a lot of queries on caucasian conquest,greed,misogny and their cruelty

[@Brian-bo4bz]

@@johnnykilonzo2103 wewe unafikiria kama mshenzi tu, Sasa nikikuja nikuue sai ni sawa ju anyway watu wanauana tu Kenya Hadi Leo?

[@martinkinyua797]

Happy jamhuri day to all Kenyans . Let's not forget of the atrocious actions done by the British. Even to the Kenyans in Britain always remember of the kind of people you are dealing with. Peace 🕊️

[@gamingwithalvis5688]

There's good and bad in each society, stop generalization..

[@PalomaGustavo1]

By the way, there are so many survivors who witnessed the Hola Massacre, then you should also include the jailing of Juveniles since, we have only very few who were surviving. There was the Juvenile centre which today is a Technical college in Kiboi. Please do these interviews before we lose them to the grave yard history that cannot be accessed.

[@mechailreydon3784]

"talking about the atrocities that were committed in your name in the past does not injure your moral authority in fact it strengthens it." Great documentary on a period that although so influential still remains covered in darkness

[@dianecrawford9204]

Our pain cannot be forgotten.

[@Threemore650]

No one’s can.