NEW ELDORADO?

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 10, 13 January 1933, Page 7

NEW ELDORADO?

, GOLD FINDS IN KENYA

ANOTHER RUSH FOR RICHES

POLITICAL BACKGROUND

The eyes of the world are focused on Kakamega, in Kenya Colony. It is attracting attention through the discovery there of gold in payable quantities. According to the eminent geologist, Sir Albert Kitson, it is likely to develop into an important goldfield in the near future, writes Captain Hugo Dunkcrlcy in the "Daily Mail." Kakamega lies almost on the Equator, some 200 miles from Nairobi, the Colony's capital. It is 5000 to 6000 feet.above sea level, and the weather is pleasantly cool throughout the year, with no very abnormal changes of temperature. The actual goldfield is 68 miles from the little township of Eldoret, the centre of a fertile settled area, where 20 years ago many of the South African Dutch pioneers established their homesteads. In another direction, only 38 miles from the goldfields, is Kisumu, on : the shores of-Lake Victoria, and for many years the railhead through ■which all traffic must travel by lake steamer on the way to or from Uganda. The weekly machines of Imperial Airways bring London and Cape Town ■within seven and four days respectively of Kisumu, which means that the goldfields are closely connected with the principal cities of Europe and South Africa. The goldfields are about 30 miles long by 14 miles broad, and already prospectors are going farther afield in the hope of making fresh discoveries. Kakamega is different from any Other goldfield. The prospectors are amazingly varied. On one claim will te found a retired Indian Army colonel who happened to be farming at Eldoret but, having been eaten out by locusts,' .decided to "look for gold." Next door may be a hard-bitten veteran who has seen the rushes in Australia in early days and later, migrating through South -Africa and the Rand, eventually fetched up in Kenya. Another is an ex-naval officer who gave up the sea after the war in order to try his luck ashore. , NEW FRATERNITY. Lawyers, doctors, architects, surveyors—all types are there with the one ambition to find the main reef. At first they were content with alluvial gold, and many made a living right from the start, but to-day the definite evidence that there are reefs waiting to be found holds out the prospect of wealth which was hardly dreamed of ■before. They are a good type, quiet, decent-living folk, many of whom would be more at home in a London suburb. The gambling ana drinking which are so often associated with gold rushes are absent from Kakamega, so far at any rate, and Kenya is thankful that it is so. The women, too, are as keen as the men. Many have adopted trousers for working at Kakamega, simply because they are more convenient, and there is not so much time for washing frocks as there used to be on the farms. But they are truly feminine still, .and although their furniture may, in many instances, consist chiefly.of petrol cases and camp beds, they are genuinely hospitable to the guests who drop in, and will readily prepare a meal for anyone who may be passing through. Sir Albert Kitson went to Kenya at the invitation of the Government to carry out: investigations into the mineral resources of the Colony. Within five months of his arrival he issued an interim report which suddenly brought Kakamega into the limelight. He gave- it as his considered opinion that the prospects of the field quickly becoming a useful goldfield, and later developing in importance, were distinctly encouraging and that numbers of reefs of payable thickness and richness would be found. ' PROSPECTING RIGHTS. The discoveries have raised the question whether or not the Government of 'Kenya Colony would be justified in granting sole prospecting rights over huge areas to large concessions. If no sole prospecting rights are granted the country is thrown open to the small man ■who is. able to prospect for gold, stake his claims, and work them. If in time he finds that he is unable to carry on without additional capital he can sell out or. try to float a company to assist him. If, on the other hand, a sole prospecting licence is granted to some large company, the area is immediately closed to the small man and no one, other than servants of the company, is permitted to search for gold there. The feeling of the public in Kenya was expressed at a meeting held in Nairobi, which passed the following resolution:— That this association " (the Nairobi 'Association) is of the opinion (a) that, the granting of concessions over large areas for exclusive prospecting for precious minerals would not be in the best interests of the Colony, and (b) that any existing or prospective goldfields in the Colony should be maintained as ..free and unrestricted areas for prospecting and mineral exploitation. In addition, a petition has been drawn tip for presentation to the Kenya Legislative Council and large numbers of signatures are being obtained from people resident all over the Colony. According to a statement authorised by the Governor, the Government has a completely open, mind on this question. The finding of gold has nearly always affected in one way or another the history of the country concerned, and through the recent discoveries there is little doubt that Kenya will enter upon a new era which may change its whole future. FUTURE OF COLONY. TJp to the present Kenya.has had all ler eggs in one basket. The country has been dependent on agriculture. An amazing variety of crops has been grown with success; maize, wheat, barley, sisal, coffee, tea, sugar, and, many other things have all proved successful. There is a large dairy industry already established, for with the wonderful grazing that is to be found here cattle do well. Now an already prosperous agricultural country will have the added stability given to it by the discovery of gold. That the population will increase as the result of the gold discoveries is certain, and increased white settlement has been one of Kenya's greatest needs *or many years. ;