The civil society groups and victims of the Nyayo torture chambers on Thursday commemorated the 20th Anniversary on a day which seeks to inform and educate Kenyans on history in the political space and freedom enjoyed currently due to the 2nd liberation War.

In 2003, February was marked as a monument of shame, thus its birth and yearly celebration.

Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) Executive Director (ED), Davis Malombe, said that the Commission presented a petition to Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki on the revocation of gazetted legal notice number 11 of 1991, which designated Nyayo House Basement, floors 24th, 25th and 26th as protected areas, to pave the way for the establishment of a public memorial or remembrance site.

“Nyayo House Torture Chambers, is a memorial and learning site, part of the recommendation contained in the Report of the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TRJC) and has been officially gazetted,” remarked Malombe.

Speaking during the Commemoration at Nyayo House in Nairobi, Malombe appealed to the current government to fulfil promises made during the Burial of Mama Mukami, that is, to exhume the remains of the Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi and accord him a dignified state funeral.

The ED also called for the full operationalisation of the Sh.10 billion Restoration Justice Fund for the benefit of all survivors and victims of torture in the following Financial Year.

National Victims and Survivors Network (NVSN) Secretary Wachira Waheire said that some would rather Kenyans forget history.

In contrast, this history is the conscience, heart and soul of Kenyans, tortured and killed within the dungeons.

He noted the importance of reminding Kenyans what was before the 2010 Constitution, repeal of Section 2A and the gains the country is consequently experiencing now because of political detainees and prisoners.

Waheire urged the youth in the country to be proactive rather than reactive in different dimensions of the political, social and economic issues while reminding them of the liberties and benefits caused by human torture.

He condemned the alleged demolition of the dungeons at the Nyayo House Chambers, terming it a violation of the country’s history since tempering with history will eliminate crucial evidence and facts.