Kenya

The Institute of Race Relations is prevented by its Articles of Association from holding a corporate view, but it is one of its objects to promote the discussion of questions which affect race relations. To this end, the Institute wishes to give an opportunity to express their views to any body or person whose opinions are backed with fact and expressed with moderation.

Kenya is changing rapidly and from the United Kingdom it is not easy to understand what is happening. Susan Wood was therefore asked to write an account of the political scene as she sees it to-day in Kenya. She was born in Africa and her maiden name of Buxton is well known in East Africa; her husband, who is the President of the Capricorn Africa Society, is a surgeon in Nairobi and has a farm in Tanganyika. She herself stood as a candidate at the last election. She is thus no visitor of the kind whose facile altruism is sometimes an irritant to residents in Kenya; she is involved in the country. There can be no doubt where her sympathies lie, and many will find points at which to disagree, but she explains the views of others with under standing and presents a picture of the political scene which is as clear as the subject permits. It is not long since women in Kenya sat on guard over their children with guns in their hands; that it should so soon be possible for anyone to write as Mrs. Wood does is surely remarkable.