HC Deb 10 March 1955 vol 538 cc80-1W
Mr. Fenner Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Africans have been found guilty of capital offences; how many have been hanged in Kenya during each month since October, 1952; and what have been the charges in each case.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

From the beginning of the Emergency to 7th March, 1955, 1,442 persons have been convicted of capital offences, as follows

Murder 463
Unlawful possession of arms and ammunition 559
Consorting with terrorists 331
Administering unlawful oaths 76
Furthering terrorism 9
Demanding supplies for terrorists 4

Of these, 844 have been executed, 136 acquitted on appeal, 186 have had their sentences commuted, 180 were under age, six died in hospital and two were certified insane. In 88 cases appeals are pending or sentences are being considered by Executive Council.

A month-by-month table of executions up to 30th November was published in the OFFICIAL REPORT on 16th December.

Period Offence
Murder Unlawful possession of arms and ammunition Consorting with terrorists Administering unlawful oaths Furthering terrorism Demanding supplies for terrorists Totals
October 20th, 1952, to November 30th, 1954 258 294 169 46 8 2 777
December, 1954 3 14 3 20
1955 January 1st-28th 13 11 24
February (January 29th-February 25th) 1 9 5 15
Totals— October 20th, 1952, to February 25th, 1955 262 330 188 46 8 2 836

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