Kenya: A Word from Jomo

When the British sent Firebrand Jomo Kenyatta to jail eight years ago for starting the Mau Mau revolt, they thought they were putting "Burning Spear" away for good. To offset any lingering loyalty among his supporters, they put out reports that he was growing senile and increasingly alcoholic. But in the wake of Kenya's February elections, the triumphant African leaders made clear that Kenyatta was not forgotten. They demanded his immediate release. British Governor Sir Patrick Renison refused. The Africans responded by refusing to take their seats in the new government. The governor began to retreat, moved Kenyatta from his desert detention village to a guarded home closer to Nairobi, permitted African politicians to visit him. Last week, the governor retreated again, allowed Kenyatta to meet the press for the first time since his trial eight years ago. In twelve planes they descended on the little village where Kenyatta is confined.

Bobbing Beard. As the television cameras whirred and the reporters scribbled, Jomo flashed toothy smiles, produced charm, vigor, and quick answers in a three-hour verbal marathon. Belying the stories of his senility, Kenyatta looked at least ten years younger than his admitted 71 years. He wore a fly whisk chained to his wrist with a band of silver, sported a gay red tie and a brand-new leather jacket. As he spoke, the old, grey-flecked spade beard bobbed emphatically: "I shall always be an African nationalist to the end . . . but I have never been a violent man ... I condemned and denounced (Mau Mau) oathing at many public meetings. I strongly disapprove of it."

Should Kenya's Africans go along with the new constitution giving them a majority in the legislature, subject to the British governor's veto? No, said Kenyatta, Kenya Africans should have nothing less than uhuru (freedom). When? "Today!" shot back Burning Spear, his eyes blazing.

"Do you now repudiate your Communist affiliations?" asked a reporter, recalling Kenyatta's residence in Moscow in 1929 and 1933. Retorted Jomo: "Anyone who says I am or was a Communist is a liar. I went to Russia for an education. I also lived in England for a long time, but that doesn't mean I became an Englishman!" In fact he was all for keeping the cold war out of Africa. "I recall an old Swahili proverb," said Kenyatta. " 'When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.' If East and West fight over Africa, only the Africans will suffer."

Limited Promise. There would be a place for the white man in Kenyatta's new Kenya. If the Europeans stick to their business and do not "mess with politics,'' they have nothing to fear, Jomo insisted.