I AM very happy to have the honour to write a few lines about one of the best friends I have had in my life, the late Pio Gama Pinto. It is with great sorrow that I relate the work of Pio when I recall the brutal murder that my friend met at the hands of his enemies who are also enemies of Kenya as a whole. I console myself with the fact that Pio's principles cannot be killed by the assassin's bullets.

Since the day I knew Pio I have regarded him as one of the greatest men in our time. Pio was the first Asian to win and penetrate the African hearts. Within a few years of acquaintance he won my heart and by 1952 he was the only non-African who had the confidence of the people and who knew something of what was taking place. He was the only Asian who was not afraid to identify himself with K.A.U. or militant African politics, He was not afraid to be seen with K.A.U. leaders or, to visit Kiburi House, the centre of African politics and nationalism, which was looked upon by the Colonialists as the centre of sedition and rebellion.

Pio was the only Asian who helped K.A.U. and African National Movements in general - more than any other non-African. I can never forget his help to me and other African politicians when we decided to run our own newspapers to fight the colonial newspaper monopoly. He did all he could to see that each and every small newspaper went forward. His advice and practical help in this work will never be forgotten.

In the early years of Kenya Trade Unionism, Pio acted as advisor and gave practical help to every Union to establish sound Trade Union principles and practices. As he was not an officer of any one of them, he was free to help all of them without any rivalry - a thing that no other trade unionist could do. All early trade unionists will never forget Pio's work to establish trade unionism.

When K.A.U. leaders were arrested, Pio did not stop his communication with active K.A.U. leaders and supporters. Instead he went on as actively as before and as a result was arrested and detained.

During the long and difficult years of detention Pio faced great temptation being the only Asian among the African "Mau Mau". But this did not tamper his courage and determination to continue his fight for Kenya's freedom and independence. Pio remained firm and faithful to the cause to the last minute.

On his release Pio went straight into active service for K.A.N.U. He did a lot in the early organisation of K.A.N.U. and the establishment of "Sauti ya KANU". He played a very prominent role in the "Release Kenyatta" campaign. While he was fighting for, our release he never forgot to send us at Lodwar food and a little money.

His role in the KANU Election Campaign of 1961 is great and his contribution towards KANU's victory is greater than that of any other single person. In the 1963 election. Pio was in charge of the Nairobi Election Campaign and he worked for all the Nairobi and many other candidates to victory without himself looking for a position. He helped me personally in my election campaign. When the KANU Head Office turned down my nomination and denounced me, Pio was one of the many friends including Mbiu Koinange, Joe Murumbi, Fred Kubai, Achieng Oneko, J. D. Kali and others who came to my House to meet Kandara leaders to find out the truth. Pio was the only Asian among the Africans who came. After this meeting the KANU Head Office was convinced that I was in fact the right candidate and as a result the Vice President of KANU, Mr. Oginga Odinga, was sent to Kandara to supervise a new selection meeting in which I swept all the votes and my opponent got none. I was accordingly declared the KANU candidate.

Pio was the only politician I know who did so much without himself holding any position - the only man I know who has done so much to get others into positions without looking, for one himself. He went on to work for KANU after Self-Government and Independence as actively as before, right until his assassination. He never sought for position and it was I and other friends who persuaded him to contest the Central Legislative Assembly and Specially Elected Member seats which he won.

At a Public Rally with Bildad Kaggia and Joe Murumbi in 1963

Pio was regarded by many Africans not as an Asian but as a real African. He was well known and trusted by many Africans of the Central Province - even more that a Black African.

The murderers who sat down to plan Pio Gama Pinto's death are not enemies of Asians or of Pinto's family but are enemies of all true nationalists, all true Africans, enemies of Kenva. enemies of progress and enemies of humanity. The death of Pio was not of a lone Asian but the death of a great nationalist,, a great freedom fighter and a true socialist who did not hesitate to share with his friends whatever little he had. In Pio's death Kenya suffered an incomparable loss because Pio one of the very few people in the world who are prepared to do everything without expecting any reward. Since his death all of his friends and especially I have noted that the gap left by him has not been filled by anyone else, I have not been able to see anyone in our midst who is tireless, selfless and unambitious It will take many years if at all, for, this gap to be filled.

In conclusion I must console all Pio's friends, his family and myself by the fact that although Pio is dead, what he stood for, his beliefs, principles and the teachings of his actual life will live forever,. Pio Gama Pinto's name will rank with that of the great leaders of our country. May we continue to follow his example.