Kenya: Arms & Odinga

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It was a startling allegation. "Arms and ammunition," charged National Assemblyman Thomas Malinda, "are continuously being smuggled from Communist and other foreign countries into Kenya for the purpose of staging an armed revolution to overthrow our beloved government." The charge brought a quick denial from Security Minister Njoroge Mungai, who admitted, however, that "many people have been trained in the armed forces of other countries and the first we know about it is when they get back."

Whether smuggling was involved or not, the recent exchange brought to the surface the conflict that has long been raging within the government of President Jomo Kenyatta. Vice President Oginga Odinga, wealthy, 53-year-old leader of the Luo tribe, which forms an important part of Kenyatta's KANU party coalition, has been openly attempting to turn the new nation toward Communism. He is opposed by a faction of moderates, including Roland Ngala, leader of the now extinct KADU opposition party, and Kenyatta's Economic Planning Minister Tom Mboya, which has been looking for a way to clip Odinga's wings. Until now Kenyatta has stood aside, little more than a tired referee.

Last week came news that Kenyatta was expecting a shipment of Russian arms, but before anyone could jump to the conclusion that the former Mau Mau chieftain had thrown his lot in with the Communists, Security Minister Mungai rushed out a statement reassuring everyone that there was nothing pernicious about the deal. "Kenya will continue to buy arms and ammunition from West or East as long as they are suitable and carry the right price," he said.

Kenyatta himself went even farther. "Some fellows who have been to the Communist countries come back here and tell lies about everything being free," he told a public rally in Muranga. "Well, I personally have been to Moscow University, and I can assure you that even in Russia no one gets anything for nothing." Then, in a scarcely veiled warning to Odinga, he added: "I fought the colonialists with all my strength, and if any African wants to fight me, let him try."