Kenya and Uganda
Sir, On my return from a three months' stay in Africa, I read Mr Jack Eiannon's article, In Amin's Footsteps, in your issue of March 31. It puzzles me that anyone could see such a close parallel between the Ugandan and the Kenyan experiences. His reference to former President Milton Obote as Joseph Mbote indicates that Mr Bannon cannot be very well acquainted with East Africa. I would also be interested to know his source for the statement that 83,000 people have perished in Uganda. Mr I3annon's article is riddled with half-truths and distortions, mostly to Britain's detriment. Having been some fifteen times in Kenya, and having known its leading personalities for many years, may I point out some of the major ones. Like all African countries, Kenya is engaged in the slow process of building up the educated cadres on whom good government depends. It is onIN too easy in such circumstances to bring loaded charges of elitism and xenophobia. Unlike present-day Uganda, Kenya Is one country where Africanisation programmes have been conducted over a long period in an orderly manner, All the evidence is that the Kenya Government is acutely aware of the danger of upsetting the present balance and has no intention of victimis ing any section of the community. The Minister of Commerce has dismissed as sensationalist previous British press reports that Kenya might follow in Amin's footsteps. President Kenyatta and Vice-President Moi have both made it clear that although Kenya will. pursue its declared policy of Africanisation, there will be no change in the status of the Asian population. It is true that some licences and permits have been withdrawn, as a result of which Africans have benefited. I am in no position to say whether money has changed hands, but Asians can go to law if wronged, and not even Mr Bannon has suggested that Kenyan judges are partial, let alone corrupt.
As for the suggestion that the Asians were expendable in British estimation, this hardly accords with Britain's record in accepting responsibility for them and in making representations on their behalf at the United Nations and elsewhere.
The seriousness of Mr Bannon's purpose is further called into question by his interpretation of events such as the presence of the British troops in Kenya in 1971. The Kenyan Minister of Defence made it clear at the time that they were there on a routine month's training exercise which had been arranged long before. No connection with the events in Uganda was ever suggested.
This is not to say that there are not popular pressures of the kind Mr Bannon mentions. No one would deny there are problems. All the more reason why comment on them should be informed and truthful. An article such as this contributes to the kind of situation everyone is hoping to avoid.
Judith Listowel 9 Halsey Street. SW3
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