Dengl 24 From Mau Mau to Iran and On?

Here's a (small - but quite likely important) task for African historians

I have not seen the matter discussed elsewhere, not has it been given much space where it has been touched upon, in the Spectator.
The episode I am thinking of involves what happened to President Obama's step-grandfather. Barack says his s-grandmother reported the man was tortured by the British.
This has evidently marred Obama's relations with the UK - and perhaps deterred firmer actions by western "powers" (or, should we be called "feebles"?); but it also has implications for Obama's failure to do anything (admittedly, he was only a candidate at the time, but I wrote to him and thought that if he wished to intervene in the post-"election" carnage in Kenya he could strengthen his Presidential claims) .... about the options for resolution of the un-democratic power grab there.
If the western nations condoned this - the next election could have been corrupted. No doubt it would have been, anyway, but rascal Mugabe had the "co-option" model of so-called resolution validated for him, by western democracies that accepted the Kenya debacle. Something similar happened in Madagascar.
And now, Iran.
Surely, these things are connected.


Here's the Spectator "discussion" - as far (back) as it goes. I think there is much to be said for Veronica Bellers' retrospections. However, maybe "proper" African historians could achieve a firmer clarification?

http://www.spectator.co.uk/the-magazine/the-week/3702708/part_3/letters.thtml

"Obama's grandfather

Sir: Andrew Roberts is correct to doubt Mr Obama's step-grandmother's allegation that Obama Sr was tortured during the Mau Mau emergency. The President's grandfather was a member of the Luo tribe, which remained firmly loyal to the British administration. He would have faced the ire of the elders if he had tried to join the Mau Mau, members of which were drawn from the Kikuyu tribe. The Luo and Kikuyu disliked each other intensely.

My father was provincial commissioner in Nyanza - the province where the Luo reside - at the time of the emergency, until 1957. He spent his time visiting the locations in the province to offer support and he let it be known that his door was always open to anyone who had concerns. He was much liked by all races".

Veronica Bellers (née Williams)
By email


If the British DID torture Obama snr, this may put the O family in sympathy with the Mau Mau uprising and more likely to support the Kikuyu establishment case now - thus compromising a stance pro democracy.
If the British did not torture O. snr, some pressure to clarify the Kenya election - on behalf of the Luos would have been a more realistic option for US and UK combined

I dont know where the next election in a dictatorial country will be, but the case is getting firmer for entrenched dictators to present the results how it suits them, then relax in the reassurance of a supine west ...