Natives Of Kenya Little Concerned Over Self Rule

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29713, 5 January 1962, Page 6

Natives Of Kenya Little Concerned Over Self Rule

In spite of recent outcries regarding the release of the I Kenya independence leader,! Mr Jomo Kenyatta, it would appear that more than 80 per cent, of the native races do not know what independence means. Most of the blacks and whites are not pro-Ken-yatta, according to Mr J. Hudson, a Nairobi businessman, who arrived in Christchurch yesterday. He is touring New Zealand for five weeks. The native peoples were not unified at present, and had very little understanding of what nationalism meant, said Mr Hudson. “They are still bound by tribal loyalties Members of one tribe do not mix with those of another “The majority of natives are jolly good blokes, but they are not capable of governing themselves. It is a pity that these upstart politicians—admittedly they have the edu-

scation, but not the necessary background—who are thinking only of themselves and not of their peoples, are stirring up trouble," he said. These men were enjoying the attention given them by world leaders as a result of their agitations. "The African loves noise and stormy meetings, without worrying what the consequences are likely to be.” Basis of Economy Kenya’s economy was based on agriculture and kept stable by British backing and overseas investments. "If the country is granted independence before the economy can stand by itself, the currency will fall in values, as has happened in India and Ceylon, with a corresponding fall in living standards,” said Mr Hudson. Kenya had no official colour bar. Her schools were now multi-racial. “This latest move regarding the schools is not liked by the whites, mainly because of the inevitable increase in mixed marriages which will follow. Public opinion regarding the children of mixed marriages is still rather intolerant where social mixing is concerned. “The races do not mix socially,” said Mr Hudson. "The natives do not understand Western social customs and the average native would just be embarrassed if I invited him in for a beer. He neither expects nor wants me to do so." At this stage of development. the natives appreciated having someone to tell them what to do. They expected the whites to look after them, feed, house, and clothe them Kenyans were waiting to see what would happen now Mr Kenyatta had been released. It was expected there would be some friction between the two African parties over the choice of Prime Minister when independence was granted. Both the African Democrat Party and the African National Party had joined forces to agitate for Mr Kenyatta’s release. Now this was accomplished, all the shouting had died down and both sides seemed surprised at achieving their goal. “For the moment they have nothing to make a noise about,” said Mr Hudson.