Africans Boycott Kenya Talks

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29107, 20 January 1960, Page 15

Africans Boycott Kenya Talks

LONDON, January 19.

There were hopes today that a compromise suggestion put forward last night would end the boycott of the Kenya constitutional conference by the African elected members’ group.

The conference will enter its second day today. The suggestion was put forwaid at last night’s Government reception by Mr Arthur Bottomley, a former member of Parliament, who was the Opposition’s chief spokesman on Commonwealth affairs in the House of Commons. He advised the leader of the African group, Mr Ronald Ngala, to end the boycott on the basis that advisers to political groups be excluded from the conference. Mr Bottomley believed that Mr Ngala would put this proposal to the ColoniaL Secretary (Mr Ivlacleod) at a meeting this morning. The reason for the boycott is th«t Mr Peter Koinange, whom the African delegation wishes to have at the conference as its second adviser, is not acceptable. Mr Macleod said at the opening session of the conference yesterday that Mr Koinange was regarded by the Government of Kenya “as having a special responsibility for the unhappy events which led to the emergency in Kenya seven years ago.” A Colonial Office official has said that Mr Koinange was associated with the outbreak of Mau Mau and was liable to restriction or detention if he returned to Kenya. Mr Ngala said that the delega-

tion was entitled to have the best available advice at the conference and should itself select a suitable person. He said he did not intend to attend the resumed conference at least until they had discussed the matter with the Colonial Secretary. Mr Ngala said last night that the Colonial Secretary might see representatives of the African delegation today.! The Colonial Secretary told the conference it was Britain’s intention to lead Kenya to full selfgovernment and ultimate independence.

The task of the conference was to plan Kenya’s next step in evolution and to see at what pace Kenya could assume greater responsibility for the conduct of its own affairs. Problems of local government would also have to be considered.

“The Africans are easily the majority of the people of Kenya but. there are also those who have made their homes in Kenya who are entitled to make a full contribution to the work of the Government of the country,” he said.

Mr Koinange, son of a Kenya paramount chief, is a former official of the outlawed Kenya African Union, whose president. Jomo Kenyatta, was convicted of managing Mau Mau. He was one of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s advisers during the Ghana Prime Minister’s discussions with Britain before Ghana became independent.