In March l963, Colonel Nachman karni – Director of Department for International Affairs 
and Assistance of the Ministry of Defence; General Yitzhak Rabin _ Deputy Chief of Staff IDF Mr. Shimon Peres – Deputy Minister of Defence,  went to East Africa , on a Study Mission, to find out the needs of the emerging new states there, and what Israel can do for them.  This is what Nachman noted in his report to the Minister of Defence.  

Kenya : 11.3.63 _ meeting with Tom Mboya at his home, dinner in honor of Shimon Peres.  The participants, in addition to the three members from Israel , the Secretary of the KFL, and Pamela MboyaThe house is richly and stylishly furnished, a complete contrast to the simplicity in the house of Jomo Kenyata.  On the wall we could see the picture of our “old man” – Ben-Gurion; an electric clock – made in kibbutz Maabarot, its dials bear the emblems of the 12 tribes.  The house became full with people, who came and left for short consultations and it seemed to us that the young Tom Mboya (32 years old) has acquired a position of leadership within this young crowd.

Mboya is leaving for Europe the next day, for negotiations with the European Market. Will stop over in London for consultations and then will go to Brussels for 3 intensive days of direct negotiations.  He knows that Kenya will be offered the position of “attached” to the European Market, and they will refuse it.  As Kenya is interested in full agreement on specific items especially of interest to them (coffee, seazal) he doesn’t think it is fruitful to go now, as they will not succeed, but the council decided.

He is very optimistic as to the situation in Kenya .  There is a date for the elections (May 20^th), he will stand for parliament in an Asiatic district.  Kano ”s chances of achieving a substantial majority in the Parliament, are very good.  They expect getting 75-80 representatives out of the 130.

Kadi has a problem of finding suitable candidates, lacks serious leadership, and is not recognized  as a serious party in any African state , considered rather a British stooge.  We heard from our consul in Nairobi , that the group of Paul Nigei – that left Kano , will not be supported by them, and now there is no risk that they will acquire 10 members from Kano is cancelled.  The British agreed to an early Elections, something Kano demanded and Kado was against (it turned out they were right to oppose the earlier date, as they are not yet ready for elections.  Mboya’s unquestioned support of Kenyata in the business of NFD, whose purpose is to answer the demands of Kano .  He accompanied Kenyata on several political tours and political meetings, each consisting of 20-30 thousand people – whole families come for a meeting of about 4 hours – sometimes walking a whole day to get there.

As for us he hoped we were not offended by the resolutions of the Mushi conference as they have no influence.  It was not a governmental conference – but its center and organization are in Cairo .  He was directed to prepare slogans of solidarity, which would be good in the eyes of the Russians and Chinese. But Nierere’s (head of state Tanganika) speech turned the whole thing upside down.  He observed that Kenyata exaggerated in ssending so many Kikuyyus to the course in Israel .  They estimate that they will succeed in establishing a good government; the division of the government ministries, is settled more or less. He was offered the post of the Treasury or  the Interior.  He leans towards the latter.  

A meeting with Jomo Kenyata, Nairobi 12.3.63, at his home in the village, in the afternoon.  He confided that he was born in the very room we were sitting in.  Only here I feel at home, he said.  I have many friends among the trees in the yard.  I planted them all. He doesn’t stay  the night in his house in Nauirobi, every evening and morning he makes the 40 miles trip to and from his house in the village.  He is a very impressive man.  His high forehead and Werizman- like short beard makes his appearance speciable.  A fitting leader to his people.  He is over 70 years old. Sturdy and healthy looking.  His latest son, a year and a half old, moves around his chair, and his 25 years old wife is pregnant.  He told us that he is active in his country’s National Movement, these last 40 years. “Did you ever despair?” Shimon asked “Never” was the answer.  It seemed that this old leader is endowed with an inner force, and sticks to his own way, no matter how difficult the obstacles. He seems over them today, and if he makes it safely over the elections, he is certain to achieve his goals.  “not far from here, in the village, I started the service for my  tribe.  I was a teacher in the village school; turned it later into an Educational Centre .  The Kikuyus had a network of schools, servicing about 60 thousand children, without any support from the government.  During the Emergency Events the whole established system of the tribe was destroyed.  The B ritish destroyed my house, uprooted my trees, and turned the school into a detention center; later even hanged our people there.  His hand moves over his throat, as if saying how close he had been to such a fate. But I planted new trees, and they grew a lot.  They confiscating most of my land, but I managed to get good produce, out of the land left me.  He is thankful for all Israel had done for them.  Shimon told him of the Officers Course we are conducting for them, and showed him photographs.  He was very happy, pointing to “General China” who appeared in several of the photographs.  ‘We are the Jews of East Africa. Communities of the  Kikuyu tribe are dispersed throughout East Africa : in Tanganyika , in the Sudan and in Uganda , we always stick together, and stay

 within the framework of separate communities.  Quick-witted and hard working, and in general above the standards of their neighbors , who statrted off on equal terms with them”.  He was happy to learn that the Officers Course will last over the elections, as they will be ready to assign the graduates by then.  He wants us to train “ China ” so he can take a central defence position.                     

Tanganyika 20.3.63 – a meeting with Rashidi kawawa – vice president.  Was asked by Shimon Peres what were the priorities and main problems standing before his country and how we could help.  He mentioned three priorities  a) education b) development of agriculture   c} communications and transport (roads, trains,  aviation, ports – development which will enable the government full control of the country, enabling transfer of produce from remote places, etc.)  He mentioned the National Service, it will be separate of the army, and controlled by the Youth Minister.  They want to establish it on the principle of volunteering for two years service.  He believes they will have more volunteers than they could absorb.  

Meeting with minister of Defence Kambonna.  20.3.63, ambassador’s house.  He was just appointed to the post in addition to his job ass Secretary  General of the Party.  He would like  a Navy   Cvadet School ; an Airforce training school , and the training of his people in Israel .  He would like to receive a personal military adviser, who will guide him for his meetings with the council of mainly professional British soldiers.  He thinks the schools will not be under the command of  Brigadier-General   Douglas, Chief of Staff today (for

If they are the spirit will be the  British military tradition, and if so it will be better to send the officers to Sandhurst ).  Some time ago he requested from Brigadier Douglas a symbolic task force of 10 soldiers, to take part in the Construction Project “Self Help Scheme”.  The answer he got was that the general would thin it over. Later he got an answer in a lengthy letter, claiming that it would be too dangerous, and the army should not deal with such matters.  He was attending Maneuvers in the north, and Briegadier Douglas explained again that every soldier has his own pride, and he knows he is already dealing with the most important issue in the country.  Kambona spoke to the soldiers “You are part of the nation, each one doing his part like the different members of the body.” He is sure the General did not like it.

His own three officers who trained in Sandhurst , were taught not to fraternize with the common soldiers, one was even reprimanded for getting too close to his men.  He also said that the British Police Officers would send the African policemen to  additional courses in England , and would promote British policemen in their stead.

 Meeting with Nierere 21.3.63 – present: Peres, Rabin, Ambassador, Karni

Peres brought regards from Ben-Gurion, and a message from Golda Meir (the Foreign Minister) saying how much she was impressed with Nierere on his previous visit to Israel.

Nierere thanked Israel for all the assistance we were granting Tanganyka, in helping bring on self rule.  “We have to admit we don’t know much.  The people who came back from Israel are very helpful. My security officer went back to University, and instead I got one of the men who trained in Israel .  We are very satisfied.

Peres introduced the ideology of the IDF, that it is the peoples army, and an instrument in peacetime.  Servicemen and servicewomen –Conscription  Service. The distance between officers and enlisted men is minimal, and limited to when authority has to be manifested.  The Army is a huge school.  There is a special branch that amalgamates agriculture with military duties. We said We came especially with offers to help, according to our abilities

Nierere said he was especially worried about the southern border(with MOZAMBIQUE ). “We should at least be able to defend ourselves; this is our minimal duty towards our brethren in Mozambique .  At first we had no use for an army.  We were ignorant and unrealistic.  We know now that we must establish an army, enlarge the present one.  Establish an army befitting the Tanganyka People.  We are a nation of workers.  The army should should be suited  such a People.

 A Meeting with Obotte (Prime Minister) Uganda- 22.3.63. Obotte’s house in Kampala . Present: Obotte, Kiriya – Minister Without Portfolio, Rabin and Karni.  

We brought regards from our minister of Defense, and how much she was impressed with Mr. Bootie on her resent visit to Uganda .  He said he was very happy with her visit.  Then we reported on the progress of the courses where there are Ugandan Cadets in Officers Course and In Flight Course.

Rabin asked whether there are established plans for their absorption in tasks in Uganda .  Bootie replied that there will be no problems with the infantry officers, as for the flyers, they have plans to establish an Air Wing to assist the army. Said he would like to send another group of his men to participate in Officers and Flying Courses.  They have plans of enlarging the army.  In June they intend to bring to parliament a resolution on an additional Budget for the establishment of one more  Training Base in Karamaga,  where the border meets with Kenya, Sudan and Kongo – so that the army will not concentrate just in one place.  In the new base there will be room for 900 additional men.  He would request from us a team of instructors to help them in establishing the Base.

In answer to a question he said that there would only be Israelis and his own people – no other foreigners. He then requested an additional officer, to come and construct a general  Scheme for establishing a Defence Structure in Uganda .  This man will be working with Kirya – for alternatives, action Steps.  The report will be submitted to Obotte.  After its confirmation, it will be executed.

We presented him with an Uzzi submachine gun, and a silver box decorated with the symbols of the 12 tribes. In parting he said:  “I wish we had only 12 tribes, but here every village is a tribe.”