NAIROBI, Kenya- In a historic move marking a new chapter in Kenya-UK relations, the British High Commissioner to Kenya, Neil Wigan officially handed over a vast collection of digitized archives relating to British colonial rule in Kenya on Friday.
The event coincided with celebrations for the inscription of the Gedi National Monument as a UNESCO World Heritage Site that President William Ruto graced.
The archives—spanning 1907 to 1968—contain 2,658 files and over 300,000 images, chronicling key moments of Kenya’s history under British colonial administration.
Among the troves of documents are records of the Mau Mau insurgency, files on collective punishment and detainees, the Kenya constitutional discussions of 1961, and intelligence dossiers on notable Kenyan leaders like Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel Arap Moi, Oginga Odinga, and Tom Mboya.
High Commissioner Wigan emphasized the significance of these archives, saying, “these archives are a window into our shared history, meaning Kenyans can better tell their own story and offering an opportunity for reflection and understanding.”
A Window into Kenya’s History
The archives shine a light on sensitive and pivotal moments in Kenya’s journey to independence.
From detailing the horrors of collective punishment during the Mau Mau uprising to documenting Kenya’s road to self-governance, the files provide a nuanced view of events often relegated to the shadows of history.
Notably, the intelligence dossiers reveal insights into the lives and actions of Kenya’s freedom fighters and political leaders, offering future generations an unparalleled opportunity to reflect on their resilience and vision.
Building Capacity to Preserve History
As part of the handover, the British High Commission also announced funding for advanced technology to help the Kenya National Archives catalogue and make sense of the voluminous records.
The support includes new computers and a digital database, ensuring the archives are accessible to researchers, historians, and the general public.
The British government’s gesture, described as an effort to better understand the shared history between the two nations, paves the way for deeper bilateral ties.
This initiative is one of many steps aimed at strengthening Kenya-UK relations.
