King Charles III and Queen Camilla had an insightful moment Tuesday when they toured Uhuru Gardens National Monument and Museum in Nairobi.
Their Majesties had joined President William Ruto and the First Lady at the site where Kenya’s flag was first raised to mark independence almost 60 years ago.
At the entrance to the museum, Their Majesties viewed statues of Kenyan freedom fighters Dedan Kimathi and Mekatalili Wa Menza before being led down the Tunnel of Martyrs.
Here, former Director of Uhuru Gardens Brigadier Opiyo gave a moving account of the lives of those commemorated in the tunnel, including some of those who suffered ill-treatment and torture under the colonial administration.
“The visit enabled King Charles to deepen his understanding of the more painful parts of the UK and Kenya’s shared history,” read a statement from the British High Commission.
During the tour, the King and President Ruto also laid wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, dedicated to honouring all of those who have contributed to Kenya’s unity, peace and liberty, in the presence of members of the Kenyan Defence Forces and their families.
The two then proceeded to the soon-to-open National Museum, intended to tell Kenya’s proud history through Kenyan voices.
Ruto then led their Majesties in a visit to the Mugumo Tree on the site where the Kenyan flag was raised in the presence of the King’s father, the late Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh.
The flag was hoisted to mark independence in 1963.
King Charles also had an opportunity to view the repositioned home of Kenya’s first President, Jomo Kenyatta.
Their Majesties also met local schoolchildren from Moi Forces Academy and Lang'ata Barracks Primary School, who spoke to Their Majesties about key parts of Kenya’s history, from the early days of humanity to the present.
Her Majesty even practised some Swahili phrases with the help of some of the schoolchildren.
