HC Deb 12 March 1964 vol 691 cc636-7

The Prime Minister of Kenya, Mr. Jomo Kenyatta, and the British Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, Mr. Duncan Sandys, had talks together on defence and other related matters on Wednesday, 4th March, and Thursday, 5th March, in Nairobi. Other Kenya Ministers taking part in the discussions included: The Hon. A. Oginga Odinga, The Hon. T. J. Mboya, The Hon. J. S. Gichuru, The Hon. J. Murumbi. Mr. Sandys was accompanied by the British High Commissioner, Sir Geoffrey de Freitas.

2. Mr. Kenyatta expressed his sincere thanks for the prompt assistance given to Kenya by British troops during the recent difficulties.

3. The Prime Minister of Kenya explained that his Government wished to expand and re-equip the Kenya Army and to provide it with air support. They also wanted to create a small navy for coastal defence. Mr. Kenyatta expressed the hope that the British Government would help the Kenya Government to implement this programme; and he gave Mr. Sandys particulars of their requirements.

4. The Secretary of State undertook to have the Kenya Government's requests examined in detail as soon as possible, meanwhile he agreed that seconded British Officers and other military personnel would for the present continue to serve with the Kenya Army. Similarly specialist units of the British Army and the R.A.F. would for the present continue to give support to the Kenya forces. Mr. Sandys further agreed that the British Army should provide a training team to assist the Kenya Army and that the possibility of expanding the existing air training scheme would be considered with a view to increasing the output of pilots.

5. Mr. Sandys confirmed that the British forces would complete their withdrawal from Kenya before the end of the year.

6. Mr. Kenyatta agreed that subject to normal clearance the R.A.F. would be accorded facilities for over-flying and staging in Kenya. The British Government will from time to time send units for training in Kenya where joint exercises will be carried out with the Kenya Army. British naval vessels will be permitted to carry out maintenance at Mombasa.

7. It was decided that British defence experts should return to Nairobi later in the month to pursue the discussions in more detail with Kenya officials with a view to formulating agreed proposals.

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