Frederick FN Noronha wrote: From what I understand ........ (i) Pio's politics were obviously and clearly far to the Left of those who came to power in Kenya post-Independence (ii) He couldn't have been assassinated for the cause of Kenya's independence, because he was shot *after* the British left (iii) Though the reasons for the killing are still occasionally discussed it could be political vendetta or rivalry.
COMMENT: Pio's political leaning to the left IMHO was unlikely to have been related to his sudden and tragic post-independence demise. After all he was a senior working member of the very 'party' which came into power post-Independence. It is difficult to decipher IF there was "vendetta" and IF so, whether it was personal or political - unless one was privy to all the internal meetings which took place post independence, what was said, HOW it was said and who may have been offended or deprived of power. The Gama Pintos from Assagao are family to my family. They are known best for their generosity, their concern for the downtrodden, their stand against colonialism, and for speaking their mind - having consistently thrown caution to the wind i.e. "Bindas". So .... anything is possible. On the other hand, if one observes politics, it is reasonable to expect that politics is riddled with users and backstabbers. Pio, most likely, became a victim of users who (not unexpectedly) became back-stabbers. Political expediency is not a fictional term. Have you not heard me state over and over again: Politics is NOT for decent folks who have other fruitful things to do? jc PS: The Gama Pinto brothers&sister never appeared to understand and/or believe (except perhaps Sevigne ....late in her political career) that the poor and disadvantaged are never really free from colonialism. The Kings and Queens change but the pawns always remain pawns, the tamasha notwithstanding. Crucially, the 'brothers' did not understand that Kenya may have been their home BUT not so as far as the Kenyan nuevo power-brokers were concerned. To them, they were just Indians who did not know their place .... at the back of the room!
