Kenyan general election, 1924

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General elections were held in Kenya Colony on 2 April 1924. [1] The elections were the first under a new Constitution which saw suffrage extended to Indians and Arabs, who were allotted five and one elected seat in the Legislative Council respectively, alongside the eleven elected seats for the white population, although appointed members were still the majority. [2] Whilst all adult Indian residents were given the right to vote, in the Arab community only men literate in Arabic or Swahili and resident in the country for two years were enfranchised, as the community had requested that women not be given the right to vote. [2] One member was appointed to represent the majority black population. [3]

Kenya Colony British possession in east Africa between 1920 and 1963

The Colony and Protectorate of Kenya was part of the British Empire in Africa from 1920 until 1963. It was established when the former East Africa Protectorate was transformed into a British Crown colony in 1920. Technically, the 'Colony of Kenya' referred to the interior lands, while a 16 km (10 mi) coastal strip was the 'Protectorate of Kenya' but the two were controlled as a single administrative unit. The colony came to an end in 1963 when a black majority government was elected for the first time and eventually declared independence as Kenya.

Indians in Kenya are citizens and residents of Kenya with ancestral roots in the Indian subcontinent. Most are found in the major urban areas of Nairobi and Mombasa, with others living in rural areas.

Arabs are a population inhabiting the Arab world. They primarily live in the Arab states in Western Asia, North Africa, the Horn of Africa and western Indian Ocean islands. They also form a significant diaspora, with Arab communities established around the world.

Contents

The Reform Party was one of the parties to contest the election in the white community. [4]

Reform Party (Kenya)

The Reform Party was a political party in Kenya led by Lord Delamere.

Results

Despite their enfranchisment, the Indian community boycotted the election after their leaders forbade registration in protest at being placed on a separate roll to the White voters and the small number of seats given to Indians relative to Whites. [4] [3] As a result no Indians took their seats in the Council. [5]

European seats
ConstituencyCandidateVotes%Notes
Coast Robert Robertson-Eustace UnopposedRe-elected
Kenya Reginald Berkeley Cole UnopposedRe-elected
Kikuyu Walter MacLellan Wilson UnopposedElected
Lake Conway Harvey UnopposedRe-elected
Mombasa Percival Clarke Elected
Alexander Morrison
Nairobi North Hamilton Ward UnopposedRe-elected
Nairobi South Helmuth Schwartze Elected
James Riddell
Thomas Wood Defeated
Plateau North John Coney UnopposedRe-elected
Plateau South Thomas O'Shea Elected
George Cruickshank Griffiths
Rift Valley Hugh Cholmondeley UnopposedRe-elected
Ukamba William Northrup McMillan UnopposedRe-elected
Arab seat
Hamed Mohamed bin Issa UnopposedElected
Source: Kenya Gazette, [1] Hansard [6]

Appointed members

PositionMember
Ex officio members
Attorney GeneralRobert William Lyall Grant
Chief Native CommissionerGerald Verner Maxwell
Colonial SecretaryEdward Brandis Denham
Commissioner of CustomsEdgar George Bale
Commissioner of LandsHumphrey Trice Martin
Director of AgricultureErnest Harrison
Director of Public WorksHoward Lecky Sikes
Principal Medical OfficerJohn Langton Gilks
TreasurerReginald Clifton Grannum
Uganda Railway General ManagerGodfrey Dean Rhodes
Appointed officials
Chief Veterinary OfficerA G Doherty
Conservator of ForestsEdward Battiscombe
Director of EducationJames Russell Orr
Director of Land SurveysArthur George Baker
Lilawi for the CoastAli bin Salim
Officer Commanding TroopsJ M Llewellyn
Postmaster GeneralThomas Fitzgerald
Senior Commissioner, KikuyuJohn Owen Webley Hope
Senior Commissioner, NairobiFrancis Stuart Forbes Traill
Solicitor GeneralIvan Llewlleyn Owen Gower
Appointed unofficial members
Member to represent African interests John Arthur
Source: Hansard [7]

Aftermath

The newly elected Legislative Council met for the first time on 14 May 1924. [6]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Government Notice No. 94", Kenya Gazette, 18 March 1924, pp6–8
  2. 1 2 "Kenya Franchise: New Constitution Adopted", The Times, 5 January 1924, p9, Issue 43541
  3. 1 2 "Kenya Franchise Swaraj Agitators At Work; White Settlers' Views" The Times, 8 February 1924, p9, Issue 43570
  4. 1 2 "Kenya Elections: European Candidates' Programme" The Times, 27 March 1924, p13, Issue 43611
  5. "Indian Boycott Of Kenya Legislature", The Times, 24 April 1924, p11, Issue 43634
  6. 1 2 Kenya National Assembly Official Record (Hansard) 1924, Session I
  7. Kenya National Assembly Official Record (Hansard) 1924, Session II