MAU MAU FEARS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29511, 12 May 1961, Page 13

MAU MAU FEARS

Settlers In Kenya

(N.Z. Press Assn.—CopvrtpM)

NAIROBI (Kenya), May 11.

British settlers have demanded Government protection for their wives and families from Mau Mau gangs whom, they claim, are planning a fresh terror campaign in Kenya.

The protests were set off by the murder last week of the wife of a British settler in the Njoro region, south Kenya, the Associated Press said. The woman. Mrs Norah Osborne, was hacked to death in her home by a gang of Africans armed with machetes.

Yesterday, a delegation of settlers from Njoro met the Kenya Governor (Sir Patrick Renison) and told him bluntly that they believed the country was on the verge of another state of emergency. “The situation has reached the same stage as mid-1952." said the delegation's leader, Mr Philip Bodley-Scott. “There's no doubt that the cause of the present unrest is Mau Mau.” He said Mau Mau oathtaking was spreading. “There are very few farmers (settlers) who are not armed day and night and have been for months now.”

Mr Bodley-Scott said that It would be impossible for white settlers to remain in Kenya if indepndence was granted to the colony at the same time as Mau Mau was stirring up race hate. “We are certainly not going to risk our families being butchered." he said.

The delegation said the Governor had promised them immediate action to restore security in their area.