THE SERPENT IN HAPPY VALLEY SIR, —Onc frequently reads in the
English papers of sea-birds which are killed and beaches which are fouled by the disgusting oil released by passing ships in British coastal waters.
Metaphorically speaking, your contributor, Simon Raven, has done the same sort of job in his article 'The Serpent in Happy Valley' which appeared in your issue of March 4. As a rule I much enjoy reading your excellent' weekly and I find it dis- appointing that you should lower your standards to the extent of publishing the sort of 'smear' article about Kenya which is so fashionable in some sec- tions of the British press.
Mr. Raven admits that it was 'a notable act of hospitality' for the Muthaiga Country Club to extend its amenities to junior British officers, but has no compunction in repaying that hospitality by using terms such as 'the whisky-swilling "pioneer" con- tingent' and by asserting that most of the members of that Club were incapable of appreciating the fine food and fine service' provided, and were content 'to go drunk to a plain dinner.'
Many writers with more perception than Mr. Raven have noted the fact that music, painting, drama, and other civilised arts flourish in Kenya out of all proportion to the numbers of the educated population of all races, yet Mr, Raven says 'the settlers were terrified of being looked down on as "colonials," as ignorant, unmannered bumpkins who knew nothing of the world.'
There is enough trouble and misunderstanding in the world without mischievous contributions such as Mr. Raven's.
Kenya was once a very happy country, and if responsible periodicals such as yours, Mr. Editor, would consign such articles to the waste-paper basket, there would be a far better chance for Kenya of the secure and happy future for which so many of us are working and hoping.—Yours faithfully.
Kericho, Kenya
WALTER WILKINSON
Previous page
