It was my first voyage to Kenya. I couldn’t help but admire the beauty of Nairobi. It had the perfect combination of English village atmosphere - peaceful and pleasant - with gorgeous African weather. Though Kenya is situated on the equator, her height makes for a pleasant climate throughout almost the whole year. 

The Founding Father of Kenya, who had led his nation to independence from the British and impressed the whole process with his special personality, was Jomo Kenyata. He was an eighty year old giant - hefty, tall and proud - a revolutionary who had seen several lifetimes. He was a student in England; active in the Independence Movement both in England and Kenya; incarcerated in an English prison for several years; and finally privileged to witness the British flag being lowered, with the national flag of Kenya hoisted in its stead.

Kenyata had the might of his tribe, the Kikuyu, behind him. This tribe is the sturdy foundation on which was built the nation's independence. The Kikuyu are the largest tribe in Kenya, comprising more than half the population, with the other half consisting of several different tribes. The Kikuyu have an excellently organized, vibrant community life. Their customs include the practice of reciprocal and medical aid, and there are free elections to the council of old men, which serves as an executive committee for the tribe.

Before he had met any Israeli representatives, Kenyata was acquainted with Israel through reading; in England he saw and admired the mutual help of the Jewish communities to the young Jewish State. He respected the history of an ancient people that had never surrendered, that had always aspired to its liberation and return to its homeland.

This background to my meeting with Kenyata was highly convenient. These were the twilight days of the British rule in Kenya , and the meeting still had to be kept secret. The man who came to accompany me to Kenyata spoke Swahili only. I couldn't understand a word he spoke - I'm not sure why. Luckily, Kenyata and many in his circle spoke perfect English. This remains an official language in Kenya even today, in both the parliamentary and all official dealings of the Republic. The dress, habit and custom were also typically British.

Kenyata welcomed me warmly. When he rose he towered over me. His face was like carved rock that has withstood many storms and floods. Next to him sat his daughter Margaret, who later became mayor of Nairobi; also present was an important executive in the Kenyan Administration.

“I’ve been waiting to meet a representative from your country for a very long time,” he began his welcoming speech. “I’ve always known that cooperation between the Jewish People and Independent Kenya would be beneficial for both parties.”

When I took out the silver-covered Bible, the traditional gift of the Government of Israel, and gave it to him, he told me how alike the laws of the Torah and the laws of the Kikuyu are: “We are called the Jews of East Africa. Many of our traditional customs are similar to yours. We have Brith Milla and Bar-Mitzva, which serves as the end of childhood and beginning of manhood, with all it’s responsibilities and obligations. The first obligation is to the Tribe, which has served as the route to Independence.”

After this impressive introduction, the conversation moved onto practical matters.

There was one extremely important problem which had to be solved immediately: the fate of one of the leaders of the Mau-Mau movement, a young patriot known as “general China”. “A very close and dear friend of mine. He saved my life when I was in a concentration camp: he discovered a plot against my life”. He had been at Kenyata’s side since, serving as a body-guard and confidante. There was a warrant against China for deeds done during the Underground Period. “This will be annulled at the moment of Independence, but till then his life is in danger.” He asked me to take China with me to Israel, where he would be safe, and where he could be trained for public life. He said China was well worth the effort. Other practical, more general matters, were quickly dispensed with, and we took our leave of Kenyata, feeling we had gained a great friend.

China’s exit from Kenya was arranged within weeks, and he was delivered into my hands. Quickly something became obvious which Kenyata had neglected to tell me: China spoke no English, only Swahili. Since you can't do much with this language in Israel, I contacted friends in Kefar-Hanassie, a kibbutz of English-speaking members, and they agreed to take on China for a six month training period, which would include training in agriculture, but with the emphasis on learning English. The kibbutz did everything in their power to make China’s stay as comfortable as possible and to train him to a high level. They succeeded in everything, except getting rid of his mane of wild hair, which had never tasted a comb or a brush; with this monstrosity the kibbutz barber announced he could do nothing. To anyone seeing him for the first time, he looked a little like a wild desert animal. No one knew then that he was simply previewing the hippie hair-does that would come in the sixties.

I was called to come over a week after he got there, as he had something important to discuss with me, and only with me. I  imagined the terrible complaints he might want to make, but I was wrong. China seemed very excited. He caught me by the hand, and pulled me towards the fence of the kibbutz. There he dug a small hole with his fingers, took some earth in his hands, brought it to his nose, and threw it down in disgust, stamping his feet and spitting. It was obvious he thought something was very wrong with it. Then he pointed over the fence and the border and smiled, as if saying “there it is better.” It appeared his English had not progressed too much yet. It was decided even greater emphasis would be placed on the English studies, so that he could be communicated with. A week or so after I realised what he had been trying to say. As China had come from a fertile agricultural area with a lot of water, he was not used to our dry and arid land. He was trying to tell us we were working on the wrong piece of land, with little chance of good crops, while not far away there was plenty of good fertile land. It seemed logical to this Kenyan farmer that one should work where the land was good.

A year later, when China was attached to the first Kenyan officers’ course, he naturally came first among equals. He was different, spoke English well, and had good manners. During the graduation ceremony, the “general” - who now earned a bar of second lieutenant - asked to see me privately. We walked towards the field outside the camp. After describing to me some minor problems he had experienced he said, “I have made a mistake when I first came here.” Bending he picked up some earth in his hand and brought it to his nose: it was like he was kissing it and tasting it, as if to say “this is good land, there is no other that is better.” There was no need for words.

His one year in Israel was not wasted. He understood.

He returned to Kenya, and served President Kenyata faithfully in various tasks. Whenever I came to Kenya, he would appear and not leave until he was certain that everything had been arranged satisfactorily, and there was no need for his intervention.