XXII 
LOCAL POLITICS 
219 
and accused the parent body of using its old name for 
the furtherance of the interests and ambitions of a 
small clique. By 1910 the old Colonists’ Association 
could no longer be said to be in any way representative 
of the farmer’s interests, and Lord Delamere and others 
determined to form another body that should be in a 
position to speak for the whole country. This body 
was formed and constituted what is now known as the 
Convention of Associations, or, more shortly, the Con¬ 
vention. This association, which as far as possible 
represents every locality and interest in the Protectorate 
connected with white colonisation, meets, except in 
urgent circumstances, but twice a year. It is attended 
by Delegates selected by every Association of any sort 
whatever. Indeed, the ambition of every class and 
sect to send such a Delegate was carried at first almost 
to ludicrous lengths, culminating in a notice, no doubt 
bogus, in the local paper to something like the 
following effect:— 
The Rat Killers’ Association Meets Next 
Wednesday 
Agenda : (1) To kill the rats in my back garden. 
(2) To select Delegates for the Conven¬ 
tion. 
Such Delegates are instructed by their Associations 
to introduce various matters for consideration. The 
institution as a whole is an attempt to form a local 
Parliament on' as broad lines as the exigencies of 
the situation permit. Among various bodies which 
send Delegates are—The Colonists’ Association, the 
Land-holders’ Association, the Pastoralists, the 
Coffee-planters, Ulu, Limoru, Uasin Guishu, 
Ndarugu, Kyamba, Lumbwa, etc. 
