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Letter to Simon Kimani

Hi Tony,


Your contact details were passed on to me by Dominic Tweedie whom I'm sure you are acquainted with. I am a Kenyan (almost sounds strange to my ears) who fled into SA in 1998 and have been living here ever since. Recently, I got to know Dominic through the weekly study group meetings at Cosatu house and during one of those street encounters in Braamfontein, we got talking about the Kenyan post-colonial regime including some of its leading players such as Kenyatta, Oginga Odinga, Mboya, Kaggia, Oneko and others.
It was really refreshing for me to be talking to someone who witnessed some of the monumental events as they unfolded in the Kenya of the '60s and 70s. Dominic mentioned that I could possibly get to learn more from you about the Kenyan left of those years and the different political struggles that were taking place between the then burgeoning ruling class and those determined to chart a path for the poor working class and the peasantry.
No doubt such history is too wide for any definitive reply but what would you say about the likes of Markham Singh, Gama Pinto, Kaggia, Kubai, Argwings Kodhek, J.M. Kariuki, Mboya and others? Looks interesting to me that while in England in the 1930s and 40s Kenyatta flirted with socialism for sometime but on getting into power, he become one of capitals most ardent defenders. Did he have no other choice (as the ANC government says in relation to globalisation in the 21st Century)?

continues.....

Dear Simon,


I do indeed know Dominic, and I'd be glad to tell you what I know of Kenya. I was there with my wife and sons first for four years on the Nation, initially as news editor, for four (politically crucial) years, from 1964-68, and again (with Oxfam) from 1972-74. They were great years for us, and Kenya has a special place in my and Eve's working and family life. Many direct connections for us: we were at Pio Pinto's house, to pay our respects, the day after he was assassinated. We knew Odinga, Oneko and others...


continues...

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