Assurance to Kenya
The conclusions the Colonial Secretary has reached after his brief but intensive investigation into conditions in Kenya deserve careful consideration. One thing, said Mr. Lyttelton, stood out sharply—that Mau Mau is not, as certain well-meaning but woolly-minded observers outside Africa have persisted in suggesting, the off- spring of economic conditions, nor a movement designed to improve them. It is a secret society which uses obscene and revolting crimes and rites to build up racial hatred. Mr. Lyttelton's pledge that the terrorism would be stamped out must have been welcomed as much by many Africans as by Europeans, for it is the Africans who have suffered most from the intimidation, torture and murder which are the weapons of Mau Mau. The Colonial Secretary also made it clear in the broadcast he gave in Nairobi on Tuesday before leaving for London that he recognises the existence of those problems which have made it easier for the Mau Mau contagion to get a firm hold among the Kikuyu. Land disputes, as mentioned in a letter on a later page, keep alive a deep sense of grievance. There is widespread dissatisfaction over wage-rates. These are two of the problems mentioned = by Mr. Lyttelton. They are to be tackled. But the first thing is to root out Mau Mau and end the terror. Only in an atmos- phere of calm can reforms be initiated. As it is, the crop- planting programme is already endangered by the lack of labour in many African districts.
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