§ 59. Mr. PARKINSONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the amount of compensation paid to natives in Kakamega for disturbances or destruction; and whether precise records have been kept of the amount of such compensation in individual cases?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)Under Section 26 of the Kenya Mining Ordinance the owner or occupier of land is entitled to fair and reasonable compensation for disturbance, and in the case of native owners or occupiers the administrative officer in charge of the district is empowered, if the native so wishes, to assess the amount of compensation. It would not, however, be possible to keep full records since the administrative officer could not have any knowledge of cases not brought to his notice, which would naturally be the subject of amicable arrangement between the prospector and the native owner or occupier. I learn from a despatch which I have received that the rate of compensation generally in force is one cent per square yard per quarter for damage done to the surface in cutting trenches or digging pits. This is equivalent to about £9 13s. 6d. per acre per annum.