Mau Mau
A Family’s African Secret
I was caught off guard when a relative asked me if I knew that my grandfather was a hero during the Mau Mau uprising, infiltrating enemy gangs, sometimes in blackface. Investigating further was a source of shame, but felt like an opportunity to draw a line between us.
From Colonialism to Cooperation
As King Charles’ recent visit to Kenya suggests, the U.K. is beginning to acknowledge the violence of its actions during decolonization. But a focus on successful nationalist heroes over campaigns for wider social change continues a long-standing policy of allying with moderate elites.