TALKS ON KENYA

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29108, 21 January 1960, Page 13

TALKS ON KENYA

No Progress At London

(Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, January 20 The conference on the constitutional future of Kenya broke down completely tonight while three groups of politicians brought to Lon-

don to discuss it continued their fight over the African

adviser, Mr Peter Koinange. Fourteen African delegates, on January 18. boycotted the talks because Mr Koinange was not allowed to sit in on the discussions. '

The two white groups—normally opposed—refused to join in the talks yesterday while a compromise claim allowing Mr Koinange to be available in an anteroom was maintained.

They say Mr Koinange, whom they suspect of having been involved in the Mau Mau terror, must not be allowed anywhere within in the conference building.

Tonight, after a vain effort to settle the issue, the Colonial Secretary (Mr Macleod) called off tomorrow morning’s plenary session. He will use the time in another effort to bring the parties to the conference table.

The white parties are the New Kenya Group, which accepts the principle of eventual African majority rule in Kenya, and the United Party, which wants British colonial rule maintained. The African group wants internal selfgovernment this year. Late last night the Governor of Kenya (Sir Patrick Renison) went by taxi to the hotel where the African delegates are staying to discuss the dispute. “I have come to see if 1 can help them,” he told reporters. He would say no more. As Sir Patrick Renison steppea from the lift, he was greeted by a black-robed delegate, his hand outstretched in welcome.