Talai revisit land case against the British

A clan in Nandi County has revisited a land compensation case against the British government by petitioning the Senate to push for compensation for alleged atrocities committed in the colonial era.

The Talai have told the Senate Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Governance they want damages for displacement from ancestral land near Nandi-hills to create multi-national tea companies.

They also cite the killing of their legendary spiritual leader Koitalel Samoei more than 130 years ago for resisting colonial rule.

“We will be engaging the British Embassy and the government on how the matter can be resolved with minimal legal processes,” said Samson Cherargei, the Senate chairman  of the Justice committee.

The committee, he said will use the ruling on Mau Mau case against the British government to argue the Talai matter.

“As a committee, we will be visiting Kapsisywa, the home of the Talai community to gather facts from the victims to consolidate a strong case and warrant compensation from the British government,” added Mr Cherargei.

This comes as Nandi governor Stephen Sang said he wants the government to hasten the process of compensating families who suffered atrocities during colonial era.

“Historical land injustices is an issue of concern that has not been properly addressed owing to lack of concerted efforts and the lack of the political will by past leaders in the region,” said Mr Sang.

He said his administration will pursue justice through the courts as well as other mechanisms provided for by the National Land Commission.

Similar process had been initiated by former governor Cleophas Lagat and appointed International lawyer Karim Khan and Lilan & Koech Advocates collecting evidence to argue a case at the International Criminal Court (ICC) over displacement of the community from their ancestral land and killing of Koitalel.

Then, the County Assembly approved Sh108 million to hire legal experts to file the suit at ICC and African Court of Justice.

“The Talai is a significant clan to the Nandi community and we will use all means to ensure that they receive compensation for atrocities committed against them by the colonial government,” said Mr Cherargei.