Alan Knight was one of the white settlers who led the move for racial reconciliation and partnership in Kenya in the aftermath of Mau Mau. Knight was asked by the government to serve as commandant and select a staff to run a detention camp at Athi River where some 2,000 of the most dedicated Mau Mau were held. Deeply concerned by the intense hatred in the camp, Knight at a critical stage, and as a commandant in uniform, addressed the paraded prisoners. Speaking to them in Swahili he apologised for the way he and other whites had behaved in Kenya. He expressed the hope that they would help him and other like-minded friends to rebuild Kenya on a basis of trust. After a long period of silence, the men broke ranks and came to stand beside him. Some shook his hands and said, ‘If you really mean what you have said, then it is the way of unity, and on this basis we can stand with you.’
