JUNGLE CRIME IN AFRICA

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 258, 28 July 1934, Page 18

JUNGLE CRIME IN AFRICA

Planned By “Bush Telegraph”

Police investigations into a series of robberies and murders, not only among the tribes but also among white settlers, have unearthed a big native criminal organisation in Kenya. It is led by witch doctors of the Lumbwa tribe, who are referred to in whispers as the Big Eight. They use the “jungle telegraph” of smoke signals and drums, and are banded together in a. secret society with strange blood rites. For years they have carried out burglaries, cattle thefts, store raids, safe-breaking and other cimes. The proceeds have been cunningly distributed through innumerable channels, members of the Big Eight, each of which has “operated” a separate district, demanding a large share of the spoil. Over COO people are believed to be involved, and special legislative powers are to be sought to deal with these ageold witch doctors, who are now adapting their reputed supernatural powers to modern racketeering.

It has even been discovered that the Big Eight have accomplices in Government employ as headmen and tribal police These bluck bandits operate in the large area fron?Sotik to Nanyukl, and here police have been investigating a dozen murders by Samburu warriors •who previously killed a man at Kikuyu to “blood their spears.” In this same area, the body of a white man. Mr. T. 0. Powys, was found. It was thought lie had been killed by a lion, but this succession of murders has cast suspicion on the local witch doctor and his fanatical followers. Much uneasiness is being felt among settlers and missionaries near the Wakikuyu natives, following the discovery thnt Wandorobo blacksmiths were busy making war arrows and spears for members of a sect of black fanatics. ’ The Government has prohibited the carrying of arms, and its -■ representatives are regularly visiting the affected