As already mentioned Goans were among the first to establish in trade and invest money in local light industries and therefore they had identified themselves with the progress of the young Colony. In recognition of these services Goans were given a seat on the Municipal Council of Nairobi which privilege was secured through the efforts of Mr. J. M. Campos and he had the honour to be the first nominated member. Others followed him, like Dr. R. Ribeiro, J. M Nazareth, Dr. A. C. L. D'Souza, etc. However with the expansion of municipal services a Commission was appointed under the Chairman of Sir Featham to establish Local Government. In his Report Goans as foreigners were excluded from the privilege of having a representative on the Municipal Council. This however was not said in respect of Goans only but generally of all foreigners, but when the time came to frame Rules under the Local Government Ordinance of 1928, Goans were very shrewdly kept out on a protest from a sister Community and in order to retain a certain balance of vote in favour of Europeans, Goan interests were sacrifieed to give one extra representative to them. Ever since 1928 Goans have been deprived of the civic rights in Towns of Nairobi, Mombasa and laterly in Kisumu. It cannot be denied that this was due more to placate opposition opinion rather than follow the Law by the letter. However, it should be appreciated that a Community, which enjoys ordinary privilege and pays all the municipal rates deserves a representative to safeguard its interest.
In the City of Bombay, there have been, not only Goan Municipal Councillors, but four Goans have held the honoured posts of Mayors of Bombay and similarly in Karachi and other big towns. If Goans could hold such posts in India, I ask what objection there could be for a Goan to be a municipal father in another part of British Commonwealth of Nations.
Efforts should be made to represent our case to Government on these lines and secure our rights.
Representation on the Kenya Legislative Council are based on communal system-five seats being allocated to Indian and it is a matter of pride, that in an open election Dr. A. C. L D'Souza was elected on the Central Legislature to represent the Indian Community and he has certainly served them well, but now communal feelings play a greater part in these elections hence a Goan, however capable he may be, stands very little chance of securing a majority vote.
White Paper No. 191 has established central organisation of the East African Governments of Kenya, Uganda, Tanganyika and Zanzibar and it is an opportune moment to press our claim for representation on that body by nomination to safeguard the interest of Goans in the High Commission services.