Below is a letter written by a Kenyan Trade Unionist to the DC Pumwani in 1955.
Date: 1 October, 1955
Dear Sir,
Re: Family Life in African Location
For some time past, many Africans who reside in Nairobi City Council (African) estates, notably Kaloleni, have been complaining of nightly disturbances which are caused by unnecessary ‘searches’ made, it is alleged, on behalf of the Administration by members of the Tribal and, in some cases, regular police forces.
Investigations conducted by the Federation reveal that:
i) most of the askari and headmen taking part in these ‘interior raids’ are extremely ill-mannered; some of them scour our bedrooms while under the influence of drink, abuse women and frighten children;
ii) far from being actuated by reasonable suspicion, in which case the Federation will not feel obliged to intervene, most of these ‘searches’ have become a hobby;
iii) family life in the locations has been rendered almost intolerable;
iv) these methods are not in harmony with civilised standards, which guarantee every married couple and children (and all minor residents), the right to matrimonial and domestic privacy generally.
I am to point out that when any public servant misbehaves himself in the name of duty and disturbs other people’s peace, he automatically becomes a public nuisance.
Please put a stop to this state of affairs.
Thanking you.
Yours faithfully,
Arthur Ochwada,
Ag. General Secretary, KFL
cc: Labour Commissioner
c.c. City African Affairs Officer
c.c. KFL Publicity Secretary
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