Some of the Awarded Veterans
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In an emotional ceremony on Saturday, nineteen Kenyan World War II veterans received replacement medals from the United Kingdom, commemorating their wartime service and bravery.
British High Commissioner Neil Wigan presided over the event which represents the fifth such ceremony in an ongoing initiative to restore lost military honours to Kenyan veterans. The gathering, orchestrated by UK Defence Adviser Brigadier Olly Bryant, brought together Kenya Defence Forces officials, family members, and caregivers. High Commissioner Wigan emphasized the profound significance of the occasion, noting that these medals symbolize not merely decorations, but rather embody the extraordinary courage and dedication demonstrated by Kenyan servicemen and women who ventured far from home in pursuit of a greater purpose.
The recognition extends beyond ceremonial honours to include practical support through the Royal Commonwealth initiative's welfare grants. These provisions have made a tangible difference in the lives of 829 Askaris and their widows, ensuring the equivalent of two daily meals. The British Legion (Kenya), working in close partnership with the Kenya Defence Forces Old Comrades Association (DEFOCA), manages these vital support programs.
Distinguished attendees included DEFOCA Managing Director Brigadier Joakim Mwamburi and Sam Mattock, Councillor of the Embassy of the Order of Malta to Kenya. Mattock offers poignant observations about the veterans' quiet resilience, referring to them as "Mashujaas",heroes, whose modest demeanor belies their extraordinary service and subsequent life challenges. This ceremony follows a similar event in Kakamega County earlier this year, where fifteen veterans from Western Kenya received their medals.
The initiative gained particular prominence last November when His Majesty the King personally presented medals to four veterans at Nairobi's Kariokor Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery. DEFOCA's longstanding commitment to preserving the legacy of retired officers and World War II veterans has been instrumental in maintaining these connections across generations.