World War II veterans plan UK trip to meet queen

Fourteen World War veterans are headed to the UK to commemorate the Commonwealth Day and meet the queen.

The trip which has been facilitated by the British High commission will be the first of its kind among Commonwealth countries.

The veterans, under the Global Veterans and Peace Ambassadors, are expected to leave the country on October 28^th to observe the event set to take place on November 11^th 2015.

Ahead of the trip, the veterans have undertaken an induction workshop in a Naivasha hotel on Monday to equip them with the necessary knowledge.

According to the Global Veterans and Peace Ambassadors CEO Rt General John Mathenge, the trip was meant to thank the queen for giving them a chance to serve for her.

Addressing the press, Mathenge thanked the Kenyan Government for meeting the cost of the trip to Britain to mark the Commonwealth Day.

“Fourteen of the war veterans will be heading to the UK to meet the queen and we thank President Uhuru and his government for the support,” he said.

The retired solider said that the organisation had brought together over 40,000 retired soldiers from those who fought in World War I to those who serve with KDF.

Celebrating Commonwealth Day

He termed the Commonwealth Day as very crucial, noting that this was the day that the guns went silent during World War II.

“This day means a lot to the World War veterans and we are happy that we shall join the queen in Britain,” he said.

On his part, the organisation’s executive director, Rt Colonel Dickson Sugenye, said that they would not be seeking compensation from the UK Government.

He distanced the organisation from the Mau Mau fighters who have been seeking compensation from the UK Government over various atrocities.

“We are going there specifically to meet the queen and hand over the Kenyan flag for allowing us to serve in her government during World War II,” he said.

He said that after the visit, the organisation would compile data for all war veterans in the country and hand it to the government.

“We are thankful for the support the government has given us and we are committed to serving it in any way possible,” he said.

Sugenye noted that there is a lot that needs to be done in the country in terms of peace and challenged leaders to work as a team.