[Vigilanteman]

Thanks. I'll do some checking.

It makes sense. As you probably know, Kenya was right next door to what was then called German East Africa, which they lost as a result of World War I. Zanzibar, located on an island between the two territories, was a quasi-independent city state which served as shipping port for contraband (including slaves) for the 3-4 decades proceeding the war and grew very, very wealthy as a result.

Officially, the Germans prohibited slavery as well as the British. Unofficially, their enforcement people could be bought off much more easily than the British. The Brit officials tended to come from a higher strata of society who saw foreign service as an opportunity to serve Queen/King and country. The Germans were (how can I put this delicately?) more like appointees in the Obama administration.

So it makes sense that the Kenyan/Luo Tribe slave traders were not going to go quietly away when the Brits closed off the German loophole as a result of the 1919 Treaty of Versailles.

[zeestephen]

I had forgotten the whole World War One - German East Africa - Kenya connection.

I clearly recall now that the essay I referenced discussed Zanzibar at some length, but I don’t recall the details.

Thanks for taking the time to post.

I always enjoy learning new things and being refreshed on things I used to know.