(CNN) — Decades after the end of colonial rule, thousands of elderly Kenyans are getting compensation and an apology from Britain for years of torture during the fight for independence.

Britain announced a £19.9 million ($30 million) settlement Thursday for human rights violations during its colonial rule in the East African nation.

“The British government sincerely regrets that these abuses took place and that they marred Kenya’s progress towards independence,” British Foreign Secretary William Hague said.

The victims had accused the former colonial master of a series of human rights violations, including rape, illegal detentions and castration.

“The elderly victims of torture now at last have the recognition and justice they have sought for many years,”said Martyn Day of Leigh Day, the law firm that represented the plaintiffs. “For them, this significance of this moment cannot be overemphasized.”

In addition to the payout for the 5,228 victims, the UK said it plans to fund the construction of a memorial in Kenya to honor the freedom fighters.

“This is part of a process of reconciliation,” Hague said. He denied that the settlement could potentially open the floodgates for colonial-era claims from other former British colonies.

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