Lord Erroll’s 1941 Murder in Nairobi: The Colonial Scandal That Shook Kenya
NAIROBI, March 1941 — The body of Lord Josslyn Victor Hay, the 22nd Earl of Erroll and a central figure in colonial Kenya’s elite social scene, was discovered at the Nairobi City Mortuary with a fatal bullet wound near his left ear.
Lord Erroll, 39, widely known as the most flamboyant member of Kenya’s British settler aristocracy, was killed under mysterious circumstances in the early hours following an engagement dinner at the exclusive Muthaiga Club. The shocking murder stunned the colonial establishment and ignited a scandal that gripped both Kenya and Britain.
According to reports from the time, Lord Erroll had earned a reputation as Nairobi’s most infamous playboy, frequently involved in affairs with the wives and daughters of influential settlers. His charm and connections within the so-called Happy Valley Set—a hedonistic group of wealthy white aristocrats known for their indulgence in alcohol, drugs, and extramarital affairs—made him a controversial but prominent figure.
At the time of his death, Erroll was romantically linked to at least twelve women, many of whom were married. His most high-profile relationship was with Lady Diana Broughton, the 26-year-old wife of Sir Jock Delves Broughton, a 56-year-old baronet who had recently relocated to Kenya with his wife in 1940.
❖ Troubled Love Triangle
Sir Jock and Lady Diana had moved to Kenya on the eve of the Second World War, quickly immersing themselves in the country’s colonial upper class. Before their marriage, Sir Jock reportedly signed an agreement stating that if Diana fell in love with another man, he would allow her to leave and provide her with financial support.
Lady Diana soon began a relationship with Lord Erroll, which culminated in an engagement dinner held at Muthaiga Club in Nairobi. Among the guests that evening was Sir Jock himself, who was said to have offered his blessing despite visible signs of emotional distress. Witnesses later recalled a heated exchange between the two men during the night.
In the early hours of the morning, Lord Erroll was found dead in his Buick near the junction of Karen and Ngong Roads. The murder sent shockwaves through the colonial community.
❖ Sir Jock Arrested, Later Acquitted
Police investigations quickly focused on Sir Jock Delves Broughton, who was arrested and charged with Lord Erroll’s murder. However, after a highly publicized trial, Sir Jock was acquitted due to lack of sufficient evidence. Despite his release, suspicions persisted within both legal circles and the general public.
Alternative theories later emerged, including speculation that one of Erroll’s many lovers—jealous of his engagement to Diana—may have orchestrated the killing.
❖ Aftermath and Further Tragedy
Following his acquittal, Sir Jock returned to England. In December 1942, he died by suicide at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool, ingesting a lethal dose of morphine. His death came just five months after his release from jail.
Lady Diana, meanwhile, married Gilbert Colville, a wealthy landowner, in January 1943. The marriage ended in divorce in 1954, leaving her with a substantial settlement. In 1959, she married Lord Thomas Cholmondeley Delamere, head of one of Kenya’s most prominent colonial families, thereby acquiring the title Lady Delamere.
Rumors surrounding Lady Diana’s personal life continued to attract attention. It was widely known among colonial circles that she maintained a romantic relationship with Lady Patricia Fairweather, and the three—Diana, Patricia, and Lord Delamere—were said to have lived in a ménage-à-trois arrangement at their Nakuru estate.
❖ Case Remains Unsolved
To this day, the murder of Lord Erroll remains one of Kenya’s most enduring unsolved crimes. The case has inspired books, documentaries, and even the 1987 film White Mischief, underscoring its place in colonial Kenya’s scandalous history.
