The Chant of Savant

Friday 29 August 2008

Is Zanzibar a county or a country?

The heat is on. Bigwigs, in Zanzibar and Dar es salaam, are in a hot soup as they are faced by a heck on union. Noises are heard everywhere. They’re dissenting and conflicting ones. Trust is gone. And on its place there are misunderstandings and misleadings.



There are those saying the county of Zanzibar is a country. They say. It must be recognized as thus and it will remain so ad infinitum to loan words from Ali Juma Shamhuna who recently said so!

Others are saying. Zanzibar is a county that was a country before it united with Tanganyika to make Tanzania. This stand, for the first time, has united all Zanzibar people from all political divides.

This is the county that was a country that wants to go back to being a country within another! Is this possible within the union?

Others think. The Zanzibar Revolution Government must be struck off so as to have one country-Tanzania. This, in the main, is the take of Mainlanders. Zanzibar people are agitating for three government in lieu of one that will take away their prestige. What is not clear is where will the funds to run and finance three governments will come from for such country in destitute that depends on begging? Those propounding this are not giving any alternative however.

Now the discussion is quarrelsome and murky. A few days ago, I heard some parliamentarians in the union house saying the solution for all these bugaboos and brouhahas is to strike off the so called government of Zanzibar. Will Zanzibar swallow this bitter pill?

While this was uttered in Dar, in Zanzibar, the deputy chief Minister, Ali Juma Shamhuna does not want to hear anything of this nature. Supported by former old guards like Adam Mwakanjuki and of course by Amani Karume though not expressly, not to mention the non-status ones, Shamhuna is ready for whatever.

There are those saying this is is but a litmus test to President Jakaya Kikwete and CCM in general. Things become even worse for Kikwete thanks to his predecessor’s role of a lame duck as far as tackling union matters is concerned. The country is currently fractured. No one knows for sure what will follow. The future of the union and the country in general are doubtlessly unpredictable.

For long, union matters have been swept under the carpet by CCM’s maneuvers in Dodoma. But this time chances are anything can happen.
Today I will take words and statistics from Kongwa’s MP Job Ndugai who avers that his constituency has the population of 300,000 just like Pemba. But Pemba has many MPs in the union Parliament while Kongwa has only Ndugai. It is very logical.

It is make or break. Hear what Lucas Seleli MP for Nzega-CCM has to say. "Firstly we better kill the union God forbid, you will later laugh at me, but the peace that prevailed in 50 years will never be available, the loss of breaking the union will be bigger for the other side (Zanzibar)"


He went on saying that Zanzibar people are humiliating Mainlanders for making laws which govern Mainland whilst Mainland does not do so for Zanzibar.

Such fierce words from CCM's stalwarts can not be underestimated. Something is cooking up there in the upper echelons of power.

Now this being the language of the business in the house and of course in the government, what else are we waiting for? Where will we import the likes of Mwalimu Nyerere to prevail and preside of the matter?

Will the currently brains really solve this problem and do away from this impasse?

Seriously mark my words. Shall the union ‘be killed’ those enjoying fat pecks for being rulers will never enjoy the calm, peace and gains they are now abusing.

When one looks at the geopolitical map of Tanzania, indeed Selelii is pretty right. Zanzibar will be ungovernable possible thanks to the long time division and marginalization of its population based on ethnicity.
And this is an open secret that those feeling marginalized will like to see the union going.

Is this really a reasonable thing to do?
Time will rightly tell.
Source:Thisday August 29,2008.

Wednesday 27 August 2008

Musharraf’s End: Lessons for Africa



Parves Musharraf

Although former Pakistan’s dictator, Parvez Musharraf was a headache to America and the world in general, he was cloned, parented and supported by George W. Bush to fight Al-Qaeda in neighbouring Afghanistan. Now he is in the process of parking.

Is it a blow to the US and a thumbs-up for Al-Qaeda and democracy all over the world? Is it the writing on the wall that at last, Bush is also exiting? Will Musharraf vacate for good or he’ll be running the country by proxy? How will Pakistan's army sink this in?

Musharraf's exit is welcome and a big lesson for all under the yolk of dictatorship and military juntas, especially in Africa. It is no secret that Africa is gasping under anarchic dictators. Africa has more dictators than all continents put together. In addition, many African empirics such as Theodore Obiang Nguema (Equatorial Guinea), Meles Zenawi (Ethiopia), Joseph Kabila (DRC), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Paul Kagame (Rwanda) and Denis Sassou Ngwesso (Congo) take their orders direct from Washington or Belgium.

Musharraf's exit is proof that the army has realized how they goofed by being manipulated and abusively used to deter and thwart the will of the people. This, indeed, proves the fact that even if tyranny is backed by military and superpower might, it comes to an end.

Indeed, Musharraf used the army to sabotage Pakistan. Now that the army has come of age, the same should be emulated by African parliamentarians and armies. In many African countries, dictators have stayed in power for long by manipulating Parliaments and opposition. Now that Musharraf ‘impeached’ himself before being impeached, African Parliaments have a precedent to start cleansing their countries by getting rid of dictators.

Being a self made lynchpin in "the war on terror," Musharraf thought he could be a life President. He actually misunderstood the dynamics of modern politics just like Saddam Hussein and others. Now that the moment of truth has come, Musharraf has to be brought to books for the crimes he committed. What a great lesson to our goofing dictators that have turned their countries to private estates!

Africans need to start shaping their countries and destinies. Will our imps fall on their own swords after Musharraf ? For better or for worse, this is a challenge we have to face and do the right thing.

Source: The African Executive Magazine August 27, 2008.

Kijiwe chapokea ripoti ya WEPA

BAADA ya kukabidhiwa ripoti ya WEPA (Wasamehe Epuka Aibu) na wajumbe niliowateua toka kwenye kijiwe chetu wakiongozwa na Mbwa Mwitu, niliona ni vema kuhutubia wanakijiwe wote ili wajue mipango yangu katika kuokoa uchumi wao.

Wajumbe wa kamati ni Jonisoni Mwananyika, Saidia Wema, Dk. Eddie Washea n.k. Ni wanachama watiifu wa chama changu ingawa nyadhifa zao zinawakataza kisheria.

Nilianza.

Ndugu wana kijiwe watukufu, kwanza sitaongelea suala la Muungano na Kijiwe kile cha Makunazini. Nauacha ujifie wenyewe ili tuone. Kama wana kijiwe hamuupendi basi uache ujifie. Kama wakitaka na waende.

Kwanza wana nini iwapo wamekuwa wakinywa kahawa yetu bure ilhali hawana hata mbuni mmoja? Ila wajue nasema. Huko hakutakakalina na namuonea huruma ndugu yangu Karumekenge hamuwezi Madevu. Nawaonyeni sana kwa hili.

Haya mawazo ya kiuhaini ya akina Shehe Muhuna hatawasaidia. Watadhni wanatunyoa sisi leo nao kesho watanyolewa hata kukatwa mashingo. Mazibu yakizibuka sisi hatutakuwapo wala kutoa msaada. Hatutakubali hata wakimbizi watokanao na choko choko na fyoko zao. We waache tu.

Ndugu wana kijiwe, nani ana muda wa kupoteza kwenye mambo ya hovyo kama haya badala ya kuchangamkia ulaji na ziara za nje? Zinalipa. Hamuoni mie na bi mkubwa tulivyochana kinomi nomi?

Najua watu wengi wenu mnangojea kwa hamu nini ntasema kuhusiana na ripoti ya kashfa ya WEPA. Sitaiepa kama EPA.

Kuna watu wasiojua vijiwe vya kisasa vinavyoendeshwa. Wanaohoji kwanini nimepokea ripoti hii kimya kimya na kuamua kuibinafsisha.

Kwanza niwajibu. Mimi ni rais wa kijiwe na mlinichagua wenyewe mkijua nitakuwa na madaraka makubwa karibu na Mungu. Je, ni vibaya kutumia mwanya huu kufanya vitu?

Mgosi Machungi alitikisa kichwa na kupayuka. “Wewe ni msanii husemi ukwei”.

Nasikia sana kejeli zenu. Wapo wanaosema mimi ni msanii. Naungana nao mia kwa mia. Utawala ni usanii. Ni sawa na abracadabra. Unadhani ni mchezo wa kuwaweka watu sawa ukiwaaminisha mambo ni shwari wakati ni tete.

Lazima uwe msanii kweli kweli kufanikisha hili. Wakilala njaa unasema wanashiba. Na bila ya usanii utapata wapi moyo wa kuwasamehe mafisi wanaowahujumu watu? Huu ndiyo utawala.

Nilikoha kidogo na kuendelea. Wapo wanaosema wajumbe wa kamati yangu licha ya kuwa waajiri na wateuliwa wangu, baadhi yao ni watuhumiwa na marafiki zangu. Sasa mlitaka niwateua maadui zangu wanikaange kwa kitu kilicho wazi? Lazima uteue watuhumiwa wanaojua kila kitu ili watakapoondoka wakiri na kusema kila kitu kama ilivyo hapa.

Niaminini haki itatendeka hata kama ni kwa wachache. Haki ni haki bwana na kufa kufaana na isitoshe bila kujuana mambo hayaendi.

Wengine wanasema nimekuwa hakimu, mwendesha mashitaka, wakili wa utetezi, mzee wa baraza na askari wa mahakama. Kwa zengwe kama hili ungekuwa wewe ungefanyaje? Ni nani huyu ajivuaye nguo hadharani tena mbele ya maadui zake? Hekima husema, umdhaniaye ndiye siye na aliyesimama achunge asianguke.

Wataalamu wangu wa masuala ya fedha wakiongozwa na Mstaafu Mkullu waliniambia hii pesa siyo ya serikali.

Ni ya watu. Hata hawa marafiki zangu mnaowaita mafisadi ni watu. Na serikali huundwa na watu. Na serikali yangu ni ya watu na watu wenyewe ni wao. Mimi ni kipenzi cha watu. Hivyo na chaguo la Mungu.

Kwa kuzingatia hili kwa makini sana, natoa msamaha usio rasmi kwa mafisadi hawa. Wasipolipa pesa hii kufikia Desemba 31 2015 watajua mimi ni nani.

Mungu anasema tupigwapo shavu la kulia tugeuze na la kushoto. Pia anasema umpende adui yako yaliyobaki muachie Mungu.

Nimefanya hivi kwa kuzingatia utulivu, mshikamano na amani ya kijiwe. Siwezi kuruhusu jambo dogo kama WEPA kutugawa. Hii amani mnayolingia itapotea na mtanilaumu mimi.

Kabla ya kumaliza mara mzee Ndevu alipayuka. "Amani haipo na kama amani ni nyinyi kutuibia jua mmechelewa tutachenjiana siku si nyingi.”

Sikumjali ingawa ni vidonge tosha.

Niliendelea kupeta.

Wapo wanaoshinikiza niwataje mafisadi. Hata kama sitawataja, ukweli ni kwamba msiwaone waungwana wakijinata na kutanua mitaani, tumeishachukua mali, pasi, hata wake zao.

Mara Makengeza anahanikiza. "Wataje unaficha wa nini kama wewe siyo mwenzao na mmoja wao? Mbona wewe na mkeo ni mafisadi waliokubuhu?" Nyuki mwingine. Sikujibu. Nilijifanya sijaipata hiyo.

Sikumjibu. Kama kawaida yangu nilijifanya kutosikia na kuendelea na hotuba yangu.

Ndugu wana kijiwe. Wapo watu wamekuwa wakinishinikiza nitaje mali zangu na mke wangu. Huu ni utovu wa nidhamu. Hawajui kuwa mali zangu na mke wangu na marafiki zangu ni sehemu ya siri za usalama wa Kijiwe hata taifa?

Nani awezaye kujipaka petroli halafu apite katikati ya moto? Mie si juha kama nyinyi mnaoibiwa mchana mkamtafuta mwizi usiku. Nitakilinda kijiwe changu kwa nguvu zangu zote na kupamba na kupambana na WEPA.

Leo nitajibu hoja zote za wakosoaji wasio na akili timamu. Wapo wanaohoji ni kwanini nimeamua kurejesha pesa ya kashfa ya HAPA kwa mlango wa nyuma bila kufikisha watuhumiwa mahakamani.

Kwanza mnawajua watuhumiwa hao ni watu wa namna gani? Mara Kapende alihanikiza. "Ni wewe mkeo na maswahiba zenu."

Kama kawa sikuhangaika na kujibizana na chizi. Niliendelea kughani bila kujali kama wasikilizaji wanaambua kitu au la.

Kwanza lazima nijisifu kama wana kijiwe mmeshindwa kunisifu. Uchumi wa kijiwe unapaa si kawaida. Ni zaidi ya hata dege la rafiki yangu Luwasha aliyewashwa na kijiwe cha Nonihino.

Nitajisifu sana ingawa wengi wananilaumu eti sisikilizi vilio vya wana kijiwe.

Kwani mimi ni daktari? Mimi ni mkuu wa kijiwe siyo kasisi wala daktari. Wanaoona mambo hayaendi si waende kwa vigagula wakatambikie? Ila naonya. Nendeni kwa vigagula wa madhabahuni na mitaani lakini msiue mazeruzeru.

Nikirejea kwenye kashfa ya HAPA, nimeamuru wajumbe wa kamati waunde akaunti ya IBA (Initial Banking and Auditing) ili kuweza kutunza pesa zitokanazo na jamaa zangu mafisadi.

Hii akaunti ya IBA ni kiboko. Ingawa jina lake ni iba isichukuliwe kuwa ni rahisi kuiba kutoka IBA. Naomba niwahakikishieni kuwa hakuna hata senti moja itakayoibiwa hapa IBA.

Kwa mamlaka niliyopewa na katiba ya kijiwe, naomba nitoe changamoto kwa mafisadi.

Rejesheni pesa yetu kabla sijawa. Nimesahau! Hata hivyo niseme nini iwapo kila kitu kipo wazi mbele za hawa wadanganyika wana kijiwe.

Sijui nani aliwaroga kudhani kuwa kurejesha pesa ni mchezo! Nilijisemea kimoyo moyo na kuendelea.

Ndugu zanguni, nawaomba muelewe. Serikali yangu haina mchezo wala simile na mafisi. Nitawafuata hata huko porini walipo. Nitawasaka hata hawa wa mitaani. Hili wanalijua wazi na ndugu wana kijiwe mnalielewa fika.

Sasa nitakuwa mkali kama mbwa wa getini. Sina mchezo na mtu. Iwapo niliridhia kutimuliwa kwa rafiki yangu Luwashwa nitashindwa nini kuwapatiliza hawa mafisi?

Hata wawe marafiki zangu lazima cha moto wakione. Kabla ya kumaliza zilizuka vurugu kiasi cha kuwa patashika nguo kuchanika.

Wanakijiwe waliniandama kwa mateke na magumi hadi nikajikuta kwenye hospitali ya vichaa ya Muhimbini nikiwa nakodolewa na vichaa waninyotoe roho.

Onyo. Nchi ya Tanzia haipo ingawa inaweza kuwapo na kuwa karibu na kila msomaji. Ila ni kwa wenye bongo siyo bongo lala. Ni kwa wakereka siyo waathirika.

Tuonane 2015 nitakapoanza kuwashughulikia wezi wa WEPA na kutimiza ahadi zangu.

Chanzo: Tanzania Daima Agosti 27, 2008.

Tuesday 26 August 2008

Ni rahisi kutabiri kilichoko nyuma ya EPA

Tarehe 18 Agosti, rais Jakaya Kikwete alipokea ‘ripoti’ ya tume ya kuchunguza kashfa ya wizi wa dola 133,000,000 uliofanyika katika benki kuu ya Tanzania (BOT).

Taarifa ya Ikulu kuhusu makabidhiano hayo ya kimya kimya inaeleza kuwa Kikwete alikabidhiwa ripoti hiyo na mwenyekiti wa timu iliyokuwa inafanya uchunguzi huo, Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali, Johnson Mwanyika.Mbali ya Mwanyika, wajumbe wengine wa kamati hiyo waliohudhuria hafla hiyo ni pamoja na Mkuu wa Jeshi la Polisi, Inspekta Jenerali (IGP), Saidi Mwema na Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Taasisi ya Kuzuia na Kupambana na Rushwa (TAKUKURU), Edward Hosea.

Ukimuondoa Mwema, wajumbe waliobaki wanaguswa na tuhuma nyingi tu. Mwanyika anatuhumiwa kutoa ushauri mbaya kwa serikali kwenye zoezi zima la ubinafsishaji sawa na mtangulizi wake Andrew Chenge maarufu kama bilionea wa vijisenti jambo linalochukuliwa kama ni ufisadi.Hosea anatuhumiwa; kwanza, kuiendesha TAKUKURU kwa maslahi yake binafsi ukiachia mbali kuwahi kutumiwa na waliokuwa wakubwa serikalini kuwasafisha wakati kashfa ya Richmond iliyomsomba waziri mkuu wa zamani, Edward Lowassa ilipokuwa ikifumka.

Je kupokea taarifa kimya kimya bila vyombo vya habari ni dalili za nini? Je tutakachoambulia ni tofauti na tulichotegemea? Kuna nini nyuma ya pazia? Kwanini rais anaanza kufanya mambo kisirisiri ukiachia mbali kupuuzia miito mingi ya kumtaka apambane na ufisadi? Je hii haiwezi kutafsiriwa kuwa naye ni sehemu ya ufisadi? Maswali ni mengi tu kuliko majibu.

Hebu angalia tungo hii. "Msione ma-gentle men wanapita mitaani wamefunga tai, tayari wengine tumewafilisi, tayari magari, hati za kusafiria na hata nyumba zao zimekamatwa, matajiri wa EPA wana hali mbaya kweli". Huu ni uongo na usanii. Wataje tuwajue na wapelekwe gerezani siyo kuendelea kutanua mitaani.Mbona hii inakinzana na misingi yote ya utawala bora? Kwanini rais ‘anajipiga mtama’? Maana katika maagizo yake ya awali, aliagiza timu hiyo iwe inatoa taarifa kwa umma mara kwa mara juu ya uchunguzi wake baada ya kuiteua na kuitangaza kupitia Katibu Mkuu Kiongozi, Luhanjo, Januri 9, siku tatu baada ya Rais kukabidhiwa ripoti ya awali ya uchunguzi uliofanywa na Ernst & Young. Rais alikabidhiwa na CAG Januari 7.

Ni kitu gani kimemfanya rais kuunyima umma taarifa hii muhimu kabla ‘hajaishughulikia’ ajuavvyo? Kunani hapa? Taarifa kutoka ikulu, ilipobanwa, ielezee ni kwanini rais ameibinafsisha ripoti ya tume zilisema: ‘‘Baada ya (rais) kuwa ameisoma na kuitafakari ripoti hiyo, ataitolea maamuzi katika siku chache zijazo na taarifa rasmi ya maamuzi hayo ya rais itatolewa kwa wananchi."Tulidhani rais aliunda tume ili kutoa fursa kwa wananchi:Kwanza kujua ukweli ni upi baada ya kusumbuliwa na uvumi na utata mwingi juu ya kulindana na kupotosha mambo.

Je hofu ya umma hatimaye imedhihirika?Pili, kutoa mapendekezo yao kwa vile pesa iliyoibiwa ni yao. Rejea maneno ya rais ya kwenye hotuba yake mbele ya bunge. "Kumekuwa na maneno ya hapa na pale, hizi fedha ni za nani, za serikali au si za serikali, hizi ni fedha za watu, hata timu iliponikabidhi ripoti nikauliza, mmepata kiasi gani wakaniambia Sh53 bilioni, nikawauliza mnazo, wakasema ndiyo," alisema na kuongeza:"Niuliza mbona hamjaziwea katika Mfuko Mkuu, wakasema si za serikali, zitakuwa za serikali labda ikizichukua, hadi sasa zipo katika akaunti maalumu hazina".


Ingawa rais amejiridhisha kwa maneno matamu na mengi kuwa amegusa mzizi wa EPA, ukweli ni kwamba bado ni ngonjera, mizengwe, kuhadaana na kulindana kama kawa. Hapa ndipo watanzania wanapaswa kutia akilini kuwa wana kila sababu ya kufikiria kulitaka bunge lim-impeach rais kama mambo yataendelea hovyo kama yalivyo sasa.Sasa nani amempa rais mamlaka ya kuunda tume hapo hapo akawa ni mwenye kusoma mapendekezo yake peke yake kwanaza ili hatimaye kutoa ‘jibu’? Swali kuu linalojitokeza mara kwa mara ni je rais anaogopa au kutaka kuficha nini na kwanini?

Kwa vile bunge letu limeishaunda tume kushughulikia ufisadi na kutenda haki, ingawa siyo muarobaini, basi kuondoa utata na kutoaminiana huku, Bunge liunde tume huru lichunguze kashfa ya EPA upya na kutoa ripoti kwa wananchi ili wajue ukweli ambao wamekuwa wakiungojea kwa muda mrefu.Rais kisheria yuko kusimamia serikali. Haiingii akilini serikali ile ile inayotuhumiwa kushiriki ufisadi ijiundie tume na kujipa ripoti na hatimaye kutoa jibu. Likitoka jibu litakuwa si jibu bali jipu tu lisilotumbuliwa.


Kuna utata mwingine. Waliounda tume ni wateuliwa wa rais. Hivyo, wanafanya kazi kwa niaba ya serikali yake na hata kwa shinikizo na maelekezo ya rais mwenyewe. Wakikuta serikali imekosea hawana ubavu wa kusema hivyo. Rejea tume ya jaji Walioba juu ya rushwa iliyouawa na utawala kidhabu wa Mkapa. Je tutashuhudia mauaji ya tume nyingine karibuni? Kwanini kupoteza pesa na muda wa umma kwenye vitu vya kisanii?Bunge ni taasisi ya wananchi na wabunge wanawakilisha wananchi moja kwa moja bungeni ili kuichungua na kuishauri serikali. Huu ndiyo mgawanyo wa madaraka na utawala bora. Hivyo, kwanza tukubaliane. Kwa kumwamini rais na kumpa madaraka ya kujichunguza tulifanya kosa ambalo rais anazidi kulitumia kutuhujumu kwa mara nyingine. Anayetilia hili shaka arejee rais kushindwa kuwawajibisha watuhumiwa wa ufisadi ambao miongoni mwao ni wajumbe wa tume tuliowataja hapo juu. Hii ni sawa na kumwamini nyani achunguze kesi ya ngedere wakati wote ni wezi wa mahindi.


Akitangaza kuanzishwa kwa uchunguzi huo, Januari 19, 2008, Luhanjo, alisema:"Baada ya (Rais) kuipitia taarifa ya Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Serikali na ya mkaguzi wa nje, yaani, Kampuni ya Ernst and Young, rais amesikitishwa na kukasirishwa na taarifa ya kuwepo vitendo vya ukiukwaji wa makusudi wa sheria, kanuni na taratibu za uuzaji wa madeni ya nje vilivyofanywa katika taasisi muhimu na nyeti kama vile Benki Kuu.Mbona naye rais anavunja sheria kwa kuwa hakimu, mwendesha mashitaka, mtuhumiwa na wakili wa utetezi? Kinafichwa nini hapa? Je watanzania watafanya uzembe waamini atakachokuja nacho rais? Kilichomsikitisha na kumchukiza ni nini kama anatenda kile kile hata zaidi?

Kwanini tusijifunze kutoka Kenya? Waziri wa fedha, Amos Kimunya, alipotuhumiwa kuiuza hoteli ya kifahari ya Grand Regency na gavana wa banki kuu ya Dr. Joseph Mullei ilipobainika kulikuwa na ukiukwaji wa taratibu katika tenda na ajira, waliwasilisha barua ya kujiuzulu ili kupisha uchunguzi na haki itendeke? Tujikumbushe EPA ilipofumka. Rais hakuwataka Gavana wa benki kuu, marehemu Daudi Ballali, waziri wa fedha Zakhia Meghji wala katibu wa wizara mwenye kutuhumiwa moja kwa moja Gray Mgonja wapishe wengine ili uchunguzi ufanyike kwa haki. Na isitoshe, tume ya EPA itamkamata nani iwapo mtuhumiwa mkuu na mwasisi na mtekelezaji wa kadhia hii aliishauawa?


Rais ameshindwa tuseme amekataa kuunda hata tume ya kuchunguza kifo tata cha Ballali!Kwa mujibu wa hotuba ya rais kwa bunge ya tarehe 21 Agosti hii, mafisadi wa EPA wameshinda na serikali imedhihirisha kuwa nao ubia. Rais amepata wapi mamlaka ya kutoa rikizo na upenyo wa 'kuweka mambo sawa' kama yeye siyo mmoja wao?Mwisho, hotuba ya rais aliyoitoa bungeni ilikuwa tupu na aibu tupu. Kwani haijaangalia matatizo ya msingi na kutoa majibu sahihi zaidi ya kuzunguka zunguka kwa maneno ya kuokoteza. Ila wakati umebadilika na watanzania wanapaswa kubadilika kwa spidi ya roketi kama watataka kupata maisha bora kwa kila mtanzania.
Chanzo: Dira ya Tanzania Agosti 26, 2008.

Monday 25 August 2008

TUCTA: is it brain game and brain and goofing?

For those that goofed to have taken the threat by Trade Union Congress of Tanzania (TUCTA) to take to streets seriously, are likely to be chary about the whole a-dime-a-dozen business of pressing the authorities to increase workers’ salaries and benefits shall this time this be foiled. As the situation seems, workers and those dreaming about all this side shows should get ready to stay put shall they be marginalized or any attempts made to silence them. Their boss Nestory Ngulla has already proved to be a puppet-cum-traitor.


We’re told they would take to stage a boycott on Monday 25 August 2008. Now the secret is openly open that there will be no sit-in whatsoever thanks to the conspiracy by Ngulla and Jakaya Kikwete. What will workers do thanks to what happened vis a vis Monday's sit-in?

For long, TUCTA has been issuing threats almost every year to no avail. Some people think: there is something fishy going on in the upper echelons of power and TUCTA shall worker don’t get what they ‘deserve’.Will it be sheer ignorance to smell a rat in the whole matter? Why doesn’t TUCTA swallow itself whole and tell us what’s up in lieu of ballyhoos and hoo-ha? Ngulla please be serious this time. And you should for the sake of our well being and your integrity. You may be serious.

But without delivering, your seriousness will be as good as nothing sir.Shall matters pertaining workers’ rights remain as stagnant and moribund as they’re, chances are there will be assumptions -be they wrong or right- that there is a sell-out.What’s indeed going on between the government and TUCTA? Workers need to ask and know shall they truly contemplate about doing away from this longtime and chronic anathema.

The government need to know. This time things may take another turn. Shall this be, our sick economy will be badly affected.What makes matters worse is the fact that while the authorities are issuing threats to thwart any demonstrations, they are sitting on grand corruption that affects the general public! What does deserve heavy hand between exercising one’s rights and sitting on corruption shall we be realistic? Why should we always be on nadir?Either ignorantly or knowingly, workers have put their hope on the wrong horse so to speak.


But as the things go, political manipulation is likely to scuttle their solidarity. Do workers know this really? If they do, then, will they allow themselves to be used and abused this way?What adds insults to injuries is the fact that the authorities is relying on unnecessary police muscles to curb and thwart demonstrations as if the same police people are not workers! This is a problem not a solution.Workers’ rights are not a political or discretionary matter so as to be treated with abracadabra sort of things. Their rights are truly theirs not government-given hocus pocus.
They deserve them the way they meet their obligation on top of dully discharging their duties. This is but a two-way traffic. They fulfill their responsibility and the authorities, the same way, must fulfill theirs but not this going on shill shall stance.


If workers really want to achieve their goals, they’ve to make sure: they condemn the authorities for tampering with their constitutional rights to boycott and expressing their views freely and fearlessly. All proscriptions and strings attached to their right to take to exercise their right should be crumbled down before doing anything. And they should state categorically that the imbroglio will go on until when justice seen being done.


What I’ve never understood is this. Sometimes, it takes the authorities many months and sometimes years of feet dragging to lay hands on corrupt elements that have been implicated directly to stealing from the public. But when it comes to thwart workers rights, it is just the matter of urgency! Will we be able to advance of sick economy with such negligence and double standards really?

I stand to be corrected. But isn’t this systemic corruption that gears us to trump on workers’ rights?Doesn’t this bulimia forcing workers to steal from our institutions as a way of revenging for not being given their rights? In this brain and blame games who is the loser and who is the gainer? Indeed this is corruption in itself shall we face it point blank.Why should workers’ rights depend on politicians who in essence are not workers but shop talkers?


Do authorities know that humiliating workers is nothing but discouraging them so as to force them to silently embark on sit-in pretending they are working? Mwenye akili atie akilini if indeed we want to deliver this country from the miseries it is in. And one way of doing so is to give the workers their rights.


TUCTA, is it brain and blame games and goofing or facing the real situation? Mark my words. We need a permanent solution to this problem. Therefore this encounter must be for ever not just a single day side show. Will this be? Time will surely tell. Indeed it time to unravel the mystery of the conspiracy between Kikwete and Ngulla.

Wednesday 20 August 2008

A dirge for Mwanawasa.






Former President of Zambia, Patrick Levy Mwanawasa is no more. He died on 19 August in Paris where he was admitted suffering from a stroke.

The whole world is saddened and grieved for this great loss. Africa has lost a true son of hers. One thing is evident. Mwanawasa was an icon when it comes to fighting graft.
To emulate and remember him, Africans as a society must hate and fight graft at all levels. Mwanawasa died young by African standards. Young generation needs to put in mind that, by emulating him, they can stand up and fight for their rights.
Currently, Africa is laden with corrupt imps we wrongly call presidents. Let's give them hard time to see to it that it becomes difficult for them to govern and steal from us.
To get a glimpse on who Mwanawasa actually was, here are his own words admitting some failures: "It has not been possible to reduce poverty and I feel sad about it," Levy Mwanawasa said, describing the issue as "one of my failures".
Such words need a big heart that Mwanawasa had. How many African potentates can openly utter such words? Take a leaf.

May God reward Levy Mwanawasa.
My condolences to Zambians and all peace lovers all over the world.
Mwanawasa, we, indeed, shall miss you badly.
Nkwazi N Mhango.

Will Zanzibar Hamper East Africa Union?



Map Tanzania's Coastline

There are grumblings and rumblings from disgruntled voices about the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. The Zanzibar people have expressed that they are being exploited by Tanzania mainland.

Recent remarks by the Deputy Chief Minister of Zanzibar, Ali Juma Shamhuna that Zanzibar is a sovereign country and will remain so ad infinitum are taken as the stand of Zanzibar’s revolutionary council’s government. Won’t this cock it up for the unification of East Africa?

The union that was hurriedly entered in 1964 shortly after Zanzibar’s revolution is the only one surviving in Africa. Thence, the union has never been overhauled because of constitutional amendments myopically, aimed at safeguarding the interests of the ruling party.

Some analysts think the union prevailed thanks to the wisdom of the founder of Tanzania, the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. His party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) no longer decoys Tanzanians due to its involvement in several scams. Even before the death of Nyerere, CCM, as its former secretary general the late Horace Kolimba said, had lost direction.

Now the signs of fallout are obvious and tangible. Tanzanians are worried. Will Jakaya Kikwete, the current president swim in this perilous ocean? Tanzania is likely to curtail the unification of East African States for her failure in tackling queries resulting from the union.

Tanzanians say the union belongs to the rulers in lieu of the people. The mainlanders think Zanzibar is favoured in this union since they are having many Members of Parliament in the union Parliament plus some strong portfolios.

Despoilers are saying; the union is archaic and old enough hence needs an overhaul. Some query why a small chunk of land the size of one biggest district of Kahama must be more important than other regions? Theirs is the full union whereby Zanzibar will become just a region. Zanzibar people do not want to hear this. They’re hell bent to see to it, if things remain the way they are, that the union go. Currently, Zanzibar people are saying even in the union of East Africa, Zanzibar must be treated as a country.

If Tanzania can not competently take in shock waves from a tiny country like Zanzibar, will it be able to outfox those coming from big brothers like Kenya and Uganda?

More on the union, Zanzibar people have even gone further to recapture one matter of the union. They took back the gases and petroleum docket that is supposed to be a union matter. They’ve also established their independent airports authority contrary to the articles of the union.Slowly, the over touted union is getting some cracks that are likely to break it.

Another hitch that looks like a bad augury to Zanzibar people is the fact that since the death of its founder, Amri Abeid Karume, almost all heads of the Revolutionary Committee were appointed and passed by Dodoma-the headquarters of CCM. Zanzibar people feel they are being ruled by superimposed mumbo-jumbos made in the Mainland.

To add insults to injuries, there is a fierce misunderstanding between ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi and its arch foe-Chama Cha Wananchi. This imbroglio started in 1995 during the first multi party elections that saw CCM rigging votes in Zanzibar. Since then, the so-called Mtafaruko or imbroglio has hovered over the whole nation.

This being the situation Tanzania is plunged into; chances are that it will curtail the efforts of unifying East African countries. Legally speaking, Tanzania has no legal locus standi to enter any agreement or instrument on behalf of Zanzibar shall she remain defiant. Another blow is likely to be hastened move of allowing trouble laden Burundi and Rwanda into the fold without following laid down procedures.

There is yet another contentious issue. Tanzanians feel their country is not prepared enough to join the union of east Africa as it may cause economic and social problems. Unfortunately, even the government hasn’t taken any appropriate measures to curb this wrong argument.

And sometimes they’re right. Lack of strong and visionary government is a chief suspect when it comes to why mineral-rich Tanzania is economically lagging behind Kenya and Uganda. Recently, there were some allegations that Kenya and South Africa benefit more with tanzanite than Tanzania, the only country with this mineral on the planet. This fear somewhat holds water due to the ailing economy resulting from systemic grand corruption and lack of visionary regime in the country.

Once again, this makes the union of East African countries to be the creature of rulers in lieu of people; therefore superimposed and unrealistic. Where will the likes of Nyerere come from, if at all, the current rulers are myopic and corrupt. Kikwete has already proved to be a let down.

Whilst this is the situation in Tanzania, in other East Africa turf like Kenya, Kibaki is aging and has his share of problems in chaotic-post-election imbroglio while in Uganda; Museveni is busy looking for the loophole to manipulate the constitution so as to remain in power. Will the East Africa Union really survive?

Source: The African Executive Magazine, August 20, 2008

Mpayukaji apata kichaa cha muda tokana na ufisadi




BAADA ya kuwa nikisikia habari na matukio ya ufisadi kila siku, niligeuka chizi kwa muda na kuanza kuokota makopo huku nikipayuka hovyo hovyo.

Ndivyo alivyoniambia mshirika wangu wa Bedroom Mama Ndiza. Mwanzoni nilidhani alikuwa akinitania.

Bahati nzuri na yake sikufanya kama yule kichaa wa Muhimbili aliyeachiwa na vichaa waliokuwa wakimtibu awaue vichaa wengine sawa na ufisadi unavyowamaliza vichaa wengine wanaochekelea.

Hebu sikiliza stori yangu na yako ya kutisha na kusikitisha.

Mama watoto anasema eti mara aliniona nikiingia ndani. Alinibomu uchache lau watoto weende cho…shindwa na ulegee. Neno gumu japo la kawaida. Silitaji.

Anasema niliingia homu nikipiga miruzi kama kawaida nikijiandaa kumpa nilizokuwa nimetoka nazo kwenye kubangaiza.

He! Akitegemea ningempa lau gwala, mara nikaanza kupayuka. "We mama nawe fisadi kama wale wafanyakazi ambao wamekuwa wakitishia kuandamana ilhali wanamtishia jamaa nyau. Angalia kila wakitishia kufanya kweli, wakubwa zao wanafanya kweli kwa kudakishwa mishiko nao wanawafanyia kweli wafa kwa ngwamba kwa kuwagawanya."

Eti nilitoa mimacho kama yule bingwa wa zamani wa wanaume wenye shepu na sura mbaya. Mwe! Mara eti nikanena. “Wewe mwanamke. Unataka pesa nikaibe wapi iwapo majambazi wameishazikomba kila kona? Nenda MAWA ukachukue kama kweli hii NGO iko kwa ajili yenu na siyo majizi wakubwa.”

Mama Ndiza naye alijibu bila kujua anajibizana na chizi: “He! Mume wangu, yamekuwa hayo tena! Hujui hizo NGOs ni ulaji wa wake waliochagua madume ya mbegu siyo wewe mchovu?"

He! Nasikia nilitaka kumpa displini kwa kunipa ukweli. Mara kwa vile mama amepanda juu kimakwelini alinidhibiti ile mbaya nami nikaamua kubwaga manyanga kama ambavyo jamaa wamebwaga manyanga kwa mafisadi wa EPA.

Anasema niliendelea kupayuka. “Kaya hii ingekuwa na watu siyo vijitu na mbwa mwitu si tungelianzisha mapema kuliko kujigeuza mapanya na fisi hata wadudu tukigugunana sisi kwa sisi. Hivi we mama unajua kuwa Mtibwa K1 na K2, SPM Mgogolo navyo vimeliwa na hawa mafisi wetu wenye nyadhifa zao? Sasa kwa taarifa yao kama wanakaya wameamua kujisaliti kutokana na woga na uchizi wao basi mimi naenda kuongea na mshirika wangu Osama ili tuwatie adabu. Haiwezekani Kaya ikaendelea kunajisiwa na kidume tena Nabii mzima naangalia. Kama wale mbwa tuliodhania simba wameonyesha umbwa wao basi nami nawaonyesha usimba wangu."

Mama Ndiza alidhania utani eti. Mara niliingia ndani na kuchukua mundu na panga tayari nikatokomea mitaani kuelekea kwenye mitaa ya kina Richmond, TICTS, EPA, ANBEN, Tanpower, Fosnik na gendaeka wengine.

Huwezi kuamini. Eti nilipokuwa nikikatisha mitaa ya Kinondoni nikakuta shangingi moja la kigogo mmoja likiwa linangoja taa ziruhusu nikaanza kulipiga mashoka!

Nasikia waathirika walishikwa na kihoro na kuanza kutoka nduki baada ya kuona kichaa nafanya vitu vyangu.

Eti mke wangu aliyekuwa akinifukuza alisikia nikisema. "Kum…. zenu. Kama Cheka Cheka anawachekea basi mimi siwachekei bali mtacheka na mapanga na mashoka.”

Ajabu siku hiyo hata wale mbwa wakali walinigwaya kwa muda wakitafakari jinsi ya kumuokoa kigogo shangingi wa shangingi na shangingi lake.

Nasikia kwa hasira nilipiga mashoka kama saba hivi mlango ukaanguka na kigogo shangingi akatoka nduki. Ole wake ningempata ningetoa somo kwa waliobakia wajue kuwa sasa ukichaa wangu ndiyo dawa ya ufisadi.

Kwanza niwape stori upya. Unajua kama siyo magazeti kuandika kuwa SPM Mgogolo imegawiwa kwa vijisenti vya Kimarekani milioni moja badala ya milioni 26 zilizokubaliwa ingawa Dk. Silaha anasema thamani yake ni milioni 500 mwenzenu yasingenikuta haya ya kuwa kichaa kwenye utu uzima.

Pamoja na uzee na ustaarabu wangu nasikia siku ile nilipata nguvu za ajabu na ithibati sina mfano. Nasikia nilitoa amri mkuu wa Kaya aachie ngazi kabla sijamfuata huko iku… we koma we.

Nasikia hata wale mbwa wa jamaa walinigwaya na kuona mapwenti niliyokuwa nikimwaga. Nasikia nilisema kuwa mimi nimewahi kula na Raila Odinga chakula cha mchana kwenye ile hoteli aliyoikomboa ya Grand Regency. Eti nilisema kuwa tulisoma wote kule Ujerumani ya Mashariki tulipojifunzia uzalendo na uijinia!

Nasikia eti nilisema kuwa wanakaya wetu ni wavivu wa kufikiri hata kuishi kama alivyosema fisi mmoja mkubwa. Niliwazodoa kwa kuwa mafisadi wa kimawazo wakijiruhusu kufisidiwa na kila fisadi hata wasio na mikia kama akina Richmonduli.

Nasikia nilipaka ile mbaya. Hivi unaweza kuamini kuwa nilitishia kumshitaki mkuu wa Kaya Umoja wa Mataifa kwa kushiriki mauaji ya zeruzeru na vikongwe ili wawatoe makafara kufanikisha ufisadi wao?

Eti nilihoji ukibaka wa lisirikali kwa kukubali kuwadanganya wadanganyika kuwa pesa za EPA zinarejeshwa wakati si kweli.

Yaani eti nilitoa data si kawaida. Nasikia nilijfanya mchumi kiasi cha kusema kuwa uchumi wa Kaya ni mfu maana unaibiwa na kubunguliwa na wadudu watu kila uchao.

Turejee kwenye kubomoa shangingi la shangingi. Eti baada ya kuona fisadi amekimbia nami nilitoka mkuku kuelekea mashariki mwa Kinondoni.

Eti nilipofika maeneo ya Oysterbay ndata walinita mikononi wakaanza kunishushia mkong’oto.

Eti nilisikika nikiwaambiwa kuwa wao ni sawa na nepi zitumikazo kuficha uchafu. Eti niliwapa changamoto kuwa waangalie ufisadi wao na vijimishahara masihara yao. Eti niliwatukana kuwa wanapenda dezo kama maiti kwa kung’ang’ania kupanga ngwala ngwala bila kulipa huku majuha wachache wakitanua kwenye mashumbwengu.

Nasikia bosi wao aliyekuwa na kitambi cha rushwa aliwaamrisha waache kupiga kichaa.

Nasikia aliwalaumu kwa umbwa wao. Eti aliwashauri kuanzia siku hiyo wavunje ndoa yao ya kulinda mafisadi wakati nao ni wachovu.

Kilichomkata makali ni maswali yangu kuwa kama SPM Mgogolo ilinunuliwa kwa dola milioni moja hizi milioni 25 alichukua fisadi gani na alizifanyia nini? Eti nilitaka uchaguzi wa mkuu wa Kaya urudiwe na waliotoa takrima wanyongwe!

Nasikia waandishi wa habari walipokuja kuandika maneno ya kichaa mimi walitimuliwa, ingawa wachache waliyasikia kwa mbali wakaamua kuyarusha.

Eti walizuiwa wasiyaandike maana yangewaamsha waathirika na kujua kuwa wanatapeliwa na kila msanii kama ilivyo kwa wafanyakazi wanaotishia kuandamana wasifanye kweli.

Eti hata wale mashehena wanaotaka shehe mkubwa aachie ngazi nao niliwatolea uvivu. Eti nilisema kuwa kibushuti mmojawapo anayewadanganya ni mrundi na fisadi hakuna mfano. Eti nilimtaja kwa jina Khalifisha Khanisi.

Eti nilisikika nimepandisha mwenembago aliyekuwa anataka atulizwe kwa kunywa damu ya mafisadi. Eti jini wangu alitaka damu ya Tunituni na Cheka cheka kabla ya kuletewa nyama ya Richomonduli.

Nasikia nikiwa nimehanikiza kwa kupayuka mgosi Machungi alikuja haraka na kunivisha tunguli iliyofanya nirejee kwenye hali yangu ya kawaida. Baada ya ndata kujua kuwa kumbe nilikuwa nimepandishwa mashetani na mzuka wa kuchukia ufisadi waliamua kuniachia bila kunifungulia kesi.

Maana nasikia ujumbe wangu uliwachoma kiasi cha kugeuka ghafla kuwa wapiganaji kimoyomoyo.

Baada ya kupoma ndipo nikajua siri ya mbweha wajifanyao kondoo kujizungushia walinzi.

Kumbe wanakimbia ufisadi wao! Wanajua siku moja waathirika wanaweza kupata kichaa cha maisha ya kifisadi na kuwatolea uvivu kama nilivyomtolea uvivu shangingi na shangingi lake.

Eti nilisema nikitoka pale nakwenda kwenye mkoa wa Zenj kumshikisha adabu Karumekenge na wale wanaoleta fyoko wakati kile kipande cha nchi ni kipande na siyo nchi.

wooi nahisi mbavu zinauma kutokana na mavune. Acha niende kwa daktari ila nitakuwa makini nisipasuliwe kichwa badala ya mbavu au kuachwa na machizi wakanidedisha.

Kila la heri.

Chanzo: Tanzania Daima Agosti 20, 2008.

Thursday 14 August 2008

No Kagame! ICC not a Tool for Colonialism and Imperialism

Rwandan empiric Paul Kagame, was recently quoted inculpating and dismissing the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a new form of imperialism created by the West to control the world's poorest countries. The court "has been put in place only for African countries, only for poor countries," Kagame told reporters in his monthly briefing. "Every year that passes, I am proved right," he added. "Rwanda cannot be part of that colonialism, slavery and imperialism."

Kagame was referring to the ICC’s call for an arrest warrant to be served on Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on war crimes charges over the conflict in Darfur, where Rwanda has some 2,600 peacekeepers.

One still wonders the rationale, seriousness and truth of his contention. If Kagame is a man enough, he should stop begging from western countries he’s castigating and accusing of plotting against African countries. Why should he trust the same International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), the creature of the same international community?

He’s been in power on the strength of genocide that he perpetrated. His has always been posing as a Rwandan messiah who stopped genocide little knowing the world knows the vital role he played in starting genocide. Now seeing his lies no longer hold water, Kagame is now trying to find a loophole. Will he succeed this time?

Why should Kagame ring the bell after the indictment of his Sudanese counterpart? Why should he see colonialism and imperialism today? Is Kagame now self sufficient that he does not need the west he is accusing of being "imperialist and colonialist"? Isn’t this double standard of Kagame whose regime has been in power thanks to the United States (US) backing?

Look at how the man is making even more blunders. He’s quoted recently saying. "Two thirds of the countries that have signed for this ICC are these poor countries. When they were signing (the treaty) they did not know what they were signing. They don’t know they were signing for the rope to hang themselves"

Kagame is telling lies. African countries aren’t the zombies he wants to paint. They knew, and still do, what they signed. Shall they take Kagame’s insults seriously; these countries need to agitate for his indictment to show that they knew and know what they signed. Even Rwanda knew what it was signing save that it didn’t know that one of its own would fall within the jurisdiction of the court. This is out of the question.

Kagame has been trying to interfere with the jurisdiction of ICTR in Arusha. He has sensed danger after finding that he can not perform his abracadabra with The Hague that has proved to be tougher. Even his Gacaca courts (a law unto itself sort of stuffs), have failed to solve the mystery of who participated in genocide and Kagame himself. If anything, Gacaca is used to punish those with different views from Kagame’s.

As I am writing, the former killer of Serbia, Radovan Karadzic is behind bars after another Slobodan Milosevic died facing the same. These are not from Kagame’s poor African countries he is brainwashing and condemning for signing what they did not "know". Somewhat African potentates behave like babies. A baby wets the bed he sleeps in. then, with tantrums, starts crying!

Kagame is accusing the west for imperialism. But he forgets what he did, along with Ugandan strongman Yoweri Museveni in Democractic Republic of Congo (DRC), is but the same! He seems to have forgotten that the same west grinned like a Cheshire’ cat when he and Museveni invaded DRC! Is this the way he thanks them for its conspiracy and duplicity? Doesn’t he know that shall the same west withdraw its supports his draconic regime will crumble over night?

When arrogance nears its demise, it creates seeds of self-destruction. The same applies to Kagame. Even Saddam Hussein whose bloodthirsty administration was created, supported and backed by the same west has such bulimia as Kagame. But when the same found that the genie was getting out of the bottle, everybody knows what followed for the tyrant.

Idi Amin who was created by the western camp to punish Milton Obote for allying with Eastern camp, when he no longer had any profit to them, was left to be overthrown by Tanzania. Jean-Bedel Bokassa, Joseph Mobutu Mohamed Siad Barre, and Jonas Savimbi suffered the same.

Kagame should go back and study history. Is Kagame’s time approaching? Time will rightly tell. African countries should never agree to be brainwashed and abused. Instead they should rally behind ICC to see to it that all those that committed crimes against humanity are brought to book urgently regardless who they are.
Source: The African Executive Magazine August 13, 2008.

Mikono ya Kikwete imejaa damu

Nilisoma habari ya kuchefua na kutisha kuhusiana na vifo vya mazeruzeru nchini mwetu iliyoandikwa na Vicky Ntetema wa BBC ambaye maisha yake yako hatarini na anaishi kwa kujificha kutokana na kuchukiwa kwa kazi yake.

Siyo siri. Kwa sasa Tanzania ina sifa mbaya kuhusiana na haki za binadamu hasa mazeruzeru na vikongwe wanaouawa kutokana na imani za kishirikina.

Kwa mujibu wa Ntetema ni kwamba mazeruzeru takribani 25 wameishauwa hasa katika mikoa ya kanda ya ziwa.

Kwanza niwapongeze Ntetema na BBC kwa ujasiri na mapenzi yao kwa haki za binadamu. Wao wameanza. Wengine wafuatie kufichua jinai hii dhidi ya ubinadamu.

Kinachonishangaza na kunisikitisha ni kuona rais wetu akilichukulia suala hili kama la kawaida! Sijamsikia akielezea mikakati ya kupambana na uchafu huu. Kama kawaida yake ya kufanya mambo mazito kuwa mepesi na mepesi kuwa mazito, rais ameonekana akifanya ziara mikoani akila na kunywa na kupewa uzee wa kikabila bila kuchukua hatua mujarabu!

Hii ni nini kama siyo kushindwa kuongoza nchi? Bahati mbaya hata vyombo vya habari vimeshabikia habari za kisiasa kiasi cha kuacha kuvalia njuga janga hili la kuuawa watu wasio na hatia. Kifo cha mtu mmoja Chacha Wangwe na habari za EPA vimechukua nafasi kubwa kuliko zile za maisha ya jamii ya watu fulani katika jamii. Sasa iko wapi dhana nzima kuwa vyombo vya habari ni sauti ya wasio na sauti (The voice of voiceless)? Tubadilike.



Yanatangazwa maandamano Zanzibar ya kumlaani waziri mkuu Mizengwe Pinda kwa tamko lake kuwa Zanzibar si nchi.
Nasikia maandamano ya mashehe wakitaka shehe mkuu ajiuzulu. Yanatangazwa maandamano ya kila aina. Lakini ajabu sijasikia maandamano ya kumshinikiza rais awatendee haki mazeruzeru na vikongwe wanaouawa kwa sababu za kishenzi na kishirikina!

Je zaidi ya kulinda uhai wa binadamu likiwa ni jukumu la kwanza na kubwa kuliko yote, kazi ya serikali ni nini?


Ajabu serikali imeweza kukomesha uwindaji haramu wa wanyama wanaotishia kutoweka kama faru na tembo lakini imeshindwa kuwalinda mazeruzeru? Au ni kwa vile wanyama wanaingiza pesa nyingi zitokanazo na utalii tofauti na mazeruzeru na vikongwe?

Nchi inapofikia kushindwa kulinda uhai wa watu wake basi nchi hii imeharibikiwa na inaelekea kubaya. Leo wachawi wanaua mazeruzeru na vikongwe. Kesho watataka watu wafupi au wenye vipara na kadhalika.

Ingawa mimi siyo mshauri wa rais katika lolote, lakini kama raia wa nchi hii namtaka rais aunde mkakati na kuongoza kampeni kupambana na janga hili dhidi ya binadamu.

Je rais hasomi hizi taarifa za kuchefua juu ya uchafu unaofanyika kwenye nchi yake? Kama anasoma na hachukui hatua, kazi yake ni nini na analipwa kwa lipi?


Ajabu utamsikia rais huyo huyo akijigamba kuwa nchi imetulia. Bado ana mawazo yale yale ya kisiwa cha amani kisicho! Alituahidi maisha bora kwa watanzania. Hata mazeruzeru na vikongwe ni watanzania. Wana kila haki ya kuishi bila kubughudhiwa wala uhai wao kutishiwa na mtu au kikundi chochote.

Tanzania inayoweza kushuhudia na kunyamazia mauaji dhidi ya watu wake haina maana na wanaoiongoza hawana maana kabisa. Juzi waliuawa waliodhaniwa kuwa ni majambazi toka nchi ya jirani ya Kenya. Pamoja na kukabiliwa na makosa ya jinai, serikali ya Kenya ilikuja juu kutaka maelezo. Maana hili ni jukumu la serikali yoyote yenye akili na kujua wajibu wake.
Kadhia ya mauaji ya vikongwe na mazeruzeru ahitaji tambo na lugha za kisiasa balia amri toka kwa rais kusimamisha mara moja jinai hii.

Ntetema ameisharahisisha kazi. Ingawa ni kinyume cha maadili kuwataja sources, inapokuja kwenye haki za binadamu hasa uhai wake, sheria inaweza kupindwa akatoa majina ya wale aliowahoji wakakamatwa na kuhojiwa ili kujua ukubwa wa tatizo na jinsi ya kuushughulikia. Maandili yapo kulinda haki za binadamu.

Watuhumiwa na washiriki wakuu wa jinai hii ni waganga wa kienyeji. Wanajulikana. Ajabu wakati zahama hii ikiendelea, kuna vyombo vya habari hasa magazeti na wakati mwingine radio na runinga zinatoa air times kwao kutangaza upuuzi wao na serikali inaangalia tu!

Hali ni mbaya. Imefikia hata mahali wabunge wanafanya vitendo vya kishirikina bungeni halafu serikali inawaficha! Hawa ndiyo wangebanwa kwanza waeleze ukweli ili kunusuru maisha ya watu wasio na hatia.

Bahati nzuri sana, rais mwenyewe aliishaonja joto ya jiwe ya ushirikina pale Mwanza alipovamiwa jukwaani na kuangushwa. Hivyo kama atakuwa makini basi anajua hatari ya janga hili.

Ajiulize. Kama imeweza kutokea kwake pamoja na ulinzi na wapambe wote, hali inakuwaje kwa watu maskini wasio na ulinzi wala sauti? Au wauawe wanasiasa na waandishi wa habari ndipo rais achukue hatua?


Tanzania imgeuka nchi ya hatari kwa mazeruzeru na vikongwe kuishi. Ingawa wote hatutakuwa mazeruzeru, tutazeeka na kuwa vikongwe. Bahati mbaya wakati ule tutakuwa hatuna ubavu wa kusema wala kutenda.


Nchi yetu iko vitani ingawa haijatangaza. Najua rais ni mwanajeshi. Anajua mbinu nyingi za kijeshi. Kwanini asianzishe kampeni ya makusudi nchi nzima ili kuwanusuru mazeruzeru na vikongwe huku akikomesha jinai hii na kulisafisha jina la Tanzania?

Chanzo kikuu cha ushirikina na tamaa ya mali ni ufisadi. Ufisadi wa serikali kutohoji watu wanavyopata utajiri wao vimejenga mazingira mazuri kwa watu wachoyo na makatili kuwaua wenzao eti kufanikisha biashara na mapenzi. Ni biashara na mapenzi gani halali vinaweza kufanikishwa kwa damu na viungo vya mtu?

Nadhani ni Tanzania pekee ambapo mtu anaweza kuamka na kujitangaza mganga au mchungaji na akatibu au kuhubiri miujiza bila kushughulikiwa. Huu nao ni ufisadi wa kimfumo na kiakili. Leo nchi yenye madaktari na matabibu wengi eti inaridhia watenda miujiza na waganga!
Kuna haja ya kuanza kuachana na ukale. Waganga na wachungaji wa kujipachika lazima wasomee. Bila ya hivyo wasiwe na haki ya kuendesha shughuli zao ambazo nyingi ni mama wa jinai hizi za mauaji.

Bila kubadili mfumo wetu wa mapato na umilki mali watu wengi watapoteza maisha. Ajabu pamoja na rais kuandikiwa makala milioni kidogo ataje mali zake ili na waliomzunguka wafanye hivyo, amezidi kupuuzia na kujifanya hasomi! Huu nao ni mlango mkuu wa ufisadi. Rais anaogopa nini kutaja mali zake kama hazina walakini?



Ntetema anasema viungo vya binadamu vinauzwa kwa shilingi 2,000,000! Ni Tanzania pekee ambapo binadamu anaweza kupangiwa bei na wahalifu na serikali ikaangalia tu huku ikiwaaminisha kuwa itawaletea maisha bora.


Nashauri kampeni za kuokoa vikongwe na mazeruzeru zivuke mipaka ya itikadi na imani. Vyama vyote vya siasa na mashirika ya dini yasimame kidete kuhakikisha jinai hii inakomeshwa mara moja. Na hiki kiwe kigezo mojawapo cha ufanisi wa serikali.

Pia rais aangalie suala la ujinga na umaskini kwa watanzanania walio wengi. Apambane na ufisadi unaoleta umaskini na hatimaye ujinga na wendawazimu wa kuwa na imani za kishirikina.

Wakati wa uongozi wa Mwl Julius Nyerere vitu hivi havikuwepo. Ni kwa sababu hakuna aliyeweza kumilki mali bila kutoa maelezo ya alivyoichuma. Hii ilizuia kuzuka kwa tamaa ya kutafuta pesa kwa kila njia-money by all means illegal and legal.

Kuanzia kazi ya Ntetema itambuliwe na serikali na apewe ulinzi ili aendelee na kazi zake. Bila kufanya hivyo mikono ya Kikwete itaendelea kububujika damu ya mazeruzeru na vikongwe.
Busara ya leo ni toka kwa Tolstoy. "Huwa tunaishi kwa ajili yetu pindi tu tuishipo kwa ajili ya wengeni" Basi tuishi kwa ajili ya vikongwe na mazeruzeru.
Chanzo: Tanzania Daima Agosti 10,2008.

Ufunuo kwa nchi ya Tanzia

KWANZA namshukuru Mungu kunifunulia yaliyojificha niwaonye wajoli wake.

Tazama, napata usingizi mzito ghafla! Sikutegemea ningelala. Mwenye nyumba anikaba.

Kunidai imekuwa kero. Ana shida. Hivyo shida zake zimalizwe nami! Kama kupata pesa katikati ya wizi wa kitaifa ni mchezo mbona yeye hapati hadi anifuate fuate utadhani kuishi kwenye ubavu wake wa mbwa wa urithi niko peponi.

Hayo tuyaache si peke yangu

Kweli Mungu aweza kila kitu. Amenipa usingizi mnono na maono ili kuwanusuru wajoli wake. Tazama naonyeshwa nchi ya Tanzia ikiwa mikononi mwa fedhuli mmoja maruhuni sharmuta. Ni mtu mwanaume apendaye kujichekeshachekesha lakini hatari.

Fedhuli huyu anaitwa Njaakaya Kikwekwe. Ni mtu mwongo sina mfano. Ni mtu wa kuogopwa kuliko hata ukimwi. Tanzia, kama mzoga wa tembo unaogugunwa na tumbusi, mbwa mwitu, fisi na wadudu unang’aa kwa juu baada ya kupigwa jua. Ndani hamna kitu!

Fedhuli huyu ni Niwewe kweli mwenye kutia kiwewe. Wengine humuita Kiwewe. Jamaa ni machukizo na maanguko. Akisaidiana na mafisi, mbweha na chui, watu wameinajisi nchi ya Tanzia.

Tazama naona hasira za Mungu zikiwashukia wajoli wa Tanzia. Ana maya nao. Wamekubali kuwekwa rumenya na Njaakaya na watu wake. Anawapatiliza kwa kuridhia machukizo. Anawapatiliza kwa kutochukua hatua. Dhambi hii itawatafuna hadi wafanye kweli.

Naona mbwa mwitu wakivaa ngozi za kondoo. Wako mezani mwa fedhuli wakila na kunywa. Wanawahadaa kondoo kuwa watawanusuru il hali wako pale kuwararua.

Naona mbwa fisi wakichunga jokofu la nyama! Mwisho wao ni nini? Wamehongwa mabaki na mapupu kiasi cha kuhatarisha usalama wa wajoli waliwao kama kondoo wapumbavu waliowaamini wawaokoe wasijue lao moja-kuwararua!

Fedhuli ameigeuza nchi ya neema kuwa ya mabalaa. Amewaalika vinyamkera na vinyama vya usiku kuiguguna na kuinajisi nchi. Amepafanya patakatifu pa patakatifu kuwa danguro na nyumba ya uovu.

Nchi ya shibe imegeuka ghafla kuwa kambi ya wajoli wenye njaa ya kila kitu hata mawazo! Nchi ya maziwa na asali imegeuka ya machozi na vilio. Yale maziwa na asali vimegeuka usaha. Nani aliwahi kuonja machozi asikie chumvi yake? Vilio vinasikika kila mahali. Kila mahali ni sura zilizokunjamana. Maisha siyo maisha, si watoto wala wakubwa.

Kinachokera, fedhuli na watu wake waleta majanga wanazidi kuhanikiza wakiwahadaa wajoli kuwa huko waendako mambo yanaweza kubadilika wakati ndiyo yanazidi kuguma!

Wajoli, kwa upogo wa nafsi na akili zao, wanakubali na kuvuta subira. Ni balaa kiasi gani kwa kondoo kuvuta subira akingoja mchinja? Yupi mpumbavu kati ya kondoo achinjwaye akijaribu kuikata kamba lau anusuru shingo yake na yule avumiliaye akijua mwisho wa yote ni nini?

Tazama Mungu mwenye hasira anashusha mapigo kumi kwa nchi ya Tanzia.

Kwanza, gilba na uongo kila namna; wajoli wadanganyika wanazidi kuuamini urongo wakiziba milango ya fahamu wasing’amue uongo na dhihaka wafanyiwao na fedhuli na watu wake.

Pili, uvivu: Uvivu umekuwa ndiyo kila kitu. Watu wazima wenye akili na nguvu wameshindwa kuvitumia. Wamekalia matumaini yasiyokuwapo badala ya kuamka wakapambane na wabaya wao ambao wamo kazini kuwaangamiza. Mungu amewatia uvivu ili baadaye uwahiriki.

Tatu, rushwa: Tanzia ni mama wa rushwa katika bara la kusadika. Kwa juu inaonekana iking’ara. Kwa ndani, hata kaburi lina nafuu. Imetulia sawa na jua wakati ndani ni vimbunga.

Nne, mgawanyiko: Watanzia japo wanajiita ndugu na wamoja, wamegawanyika sawa na changarawe barabarani. Utaziona changarawe ziko pamoja lakini si rahisi kuzishikanisha hadi uzipitishe kwenye moto wa zege.

Tano, umaskini: Mungu kashusha pigo kuu kuliko yote. Nalo si jingine ni umaskini kuanzia ubongoni hadi maungoni. Tanzia inaongoza katika bara la kusadikika kuwa na watu maskini na watawala wakwasi kulihali.

Walijaliwa mali. Lakini wameruhusu wageni kuja kujichotea huku wakiwahonga watawala vibaka na vipofu wa Tanzia bakhshishi. Watanzia ni maskini kuliko hata chawa. Kwani chawa hula kwenye maungo ya wenzake lakini bado akabakia mdudu asiye na ubongo wa kupambanua mambo.

Sita, roho mbaya: Watanzia wameingiwa na shetani wa roho mbaya. Wameanza kuchinjana wao kwa wao kuusaka ukwasi kwa njia za kiza. Katika nchi ya Tanzia matupinkere wako hatarini kutoweka. Badala ya Watanzia kukabili chanzo cha masahibu na msiba wao kuwa ni utawala mbaya wa fedhuli Janga, wamegeuziana wenyewe silaha.

Nchi ya Tanzia inaendeshwa na nguvu za giza kuanzia kwenye nyumba za ibada hadi kwenye vigwena vya wachawi wajiitao waganga. Nchi imemezwa na ushirikina hakuna mfano. Ajabu washirikina na wachawi katika nchi ya Tanzia hufanya uchawi wao hadharani wakiutangaza hata kwenye magazeti na radio.

Kama Misri na Firauni, fedhuli hana wasi wasi. Kwani anajua aina ya wajoli anaowatumikia kujenga mhimili wa machukizo yaitwayo CCM au Chetu Cha Maendeleo ambayo maana yake ni Chenu Chekeni ni Maaanguko.

Saba, wizi: Fedhuli na wezi wenzake wamezishambulia hazina za Tanzia na kuziibia kiasi cha nchi kuendeshwa kama duka la Mwarabu. Nchi iliyosifika kutoa huduma za jamii bure sasa inaziuza. Heri ingeziuza zikiwa ni huduma kweli na siyo utapeli kama ilivyo Tanzia.

Nane, ulevi: Watu wa Tanzia ni walevi duniani hakuna. Heri wangelewa pombe ingepigwa marufuku. Wamelewa matumaini. Wanakalia mkia kama nyau wakidai wamekalia kochi. Nchi nyingi za jirani zimeshindwa kukalika kutokana na machukizo yasiyofikia hata robo ya walevi wa Tanzia wanayofanyiwa.

Tisa ukahaba: Tanzia ni nchi kahaba hakuna mfano. Imewekeza kwenye madanguro na ulevi huku rasilimali za taifa zikisombwa na wageni.

Kumi, utaahira: Watanzia ni mataahira zaidi hata ya hayawani. Wana macho hawaoni. Wana masikio hawasikii. Wapo wapo wasijue wapelekwapo ni machinjioni! Nikiwa nalala. Mara nasikia sauti ikinena ‘busara hii.’

Mzigo wa ujinga siku zote ni mzito. Mzigo wa upumbavu ni mzito zaidi na mzigo wa maarifa wala hauna uzito. Maarifa hurahisha maisha wakati ujinga na upumbavu hufanya hata maisha rahisi kuwa magumu. Mzigo wa upumbavu ni sawa na ule wa zebaki wakati wa maarifa ni sawa na ule wa maji. Mzigo wa zebaki ukipasuka aliyeubeba atauawa na zebaki lakini wa maji utampoza mbebaji.

Mchwa hana mikono wala kichwa cha kubebea ndoo ya maji wala zege. Je, hukoroga na kulisomba zege lake vipi? Ashukuye ukweli huu aangalie kichuguu. Je, kichuguu si nyumba bora kuliko ghorofa? Japo hapewi sifa yake? Ukiondoa miti na milima, mchwa ndiye kiumbe wa kwanza kusimamisha ghorofa kwenye uso wa ardhi. Laiti ardhi ingepata mdomo na ulimi ikasema, ukweli huu ungeuona na cheti cha ithibati ya uvumbuzi wa nyumba za maghorofa angepewa mchwa. Je, kingemsaidia nini wakati hana shida na mali zaidi ya utii wake?

Mchwa hana panga wala shoka lakini huangusha magogo! Je, busara ya mchwa kupewa kiwiliwili kidogo na kichwa kikubwa si ishara ya maarifa?

Heri washikao mambo haya maana yatawafaa. Wayapuuzao yatawapuuza na kutumikishwa na wale wayashikiao. Duniani hakuna jipya bali namna mpya ya kulifanya la kale kuwa jipya. Waulize wanadamu wote. Watakuwa na vitu vipya hata misamiati mipya. Lakini kuna vitu si vipya hata kama vitafanywa vipya. Waswahili hawakuwa na kompyuta wala gari. Walitohoa maneno haya toka kwa walioleta vitu hivi.

Lakini Waswahili hawa hawa hawakuwa na ukame wa utu wala imani za dini. Jina la Mungu linapatikana katika kila kabila na lugha. Sawa na chakula hewa na kifo ni ukweli kwamba Mungu na dini si vitu vipya bali vya kufanywa vipya. Hapa ndipo masilahi ya binadamu yamewekwa juu ya ukweli na uasili wa maumbile.

Chanzo:Tanzania Daima Agosti 13, 2008.

Tuesday 12 August 2008

Kuna uwezekano tukamkumbuka Mkapa ingawa…..

Ingawa inasikitisha, tuendako watanzania wanaweza kumkumbuka rais mstaafu Benjamin Mkapa licha ya kushutumiwa kujineemesha kupitia mamlaka huku akiiuza nchi kwa wawekezaji. Analaumiwa yeye mkewe familia na marafiki.

Hawatamkumbuka kwa vile alikuwa mwema na mwenye kufaa. Watalinganisha masahibu yao ya sasa na yale ya wakati wa Mkapa halafu wapate hitimisho hata kama ni la aibu na kuchukiza.

Mkapa, angalau kwa miaka mitano ya mwanzo alionyesha organizaisheni na umakini. Katika kipindi hiki yeye na watu wake hawakuwa wameishaanza kujichotea na kugawiana mali ya umma ili kujinufaisha.

Je utawala wa sasa wenye miaka mitatu umeishafanya nini katika hili? Una zigo la kashfa-EPA, Richmond, TICTS, Twin towers, Meremeta, Deep Green Finance,TANESCO (uliyorithi kwa Mkapa) na nyingine nyingi. Imani ya wananchi imeshuka kuliko wakati wowote. Rejea ripoti ya RIDET yenye kulalia upande wa serikali.

Hata ukiangalia namba ya walaji na ulaji utakuta kuwa Mkapa angalau hakuwa na walaji wengi kama sasa. Hakuwa na mtandao ukiachia ile ya mkewe kupitia NGO yake ya ulaji na shughuli nyingine za kutia mashaka.

Je serikali ya sasa kwa hili ikoje. Kuna mitandao karibu katika kila kitu. Ipo mitandao ya kichama na ya kitaaluma hasa waandishi wa habari. Wapo waandishi wakereketwa wa nchi na wale wa kulamba matapishi ya watawala wakiwasifia kwa kila upuuzi. Hawa ni wengi. Hata vyombo vyao vya habari vinajulikana. Vingine vimepatikana kwa pesa za EPA na Richmond.

Leo utasikia majina kama Rostam, Lowassa, Karamagi na mengine mengi hasa baada ya wahusika kuhusishwa na Richmond na wakabaki na ushawishi mkubwa chamani na serikalini. Hapa ndipo tofauti kati ya Mkapa na Kikwete inapozaliwa.
Ingawa hakukuza uchumi, Mkapa alisifika kubana mzunguko wa pesa kiasi cha kuipa thamani na kuleta nidhamu katika baadhi ya mambo kama vile ukusanyaji kodi ingawa kodi ilitumika vibaya. Hata matumizi mabaya ya serikali, awamu ya sasa inaongoza. Rejea kugundulika kwa matumizi hewa zaidi ya shilingi trilioni moja kwenye wizara.

Mkapa alibinya mzunguko wa shilingi kiasi cha kuipa nguvu.
Hakuiba pesa nyingi sawa na zilizoibiwa chini ya utawala wa Kikwete.

Mkapa hakurithi watendaji toka kwa mtangulizi wake Ali Hassan Mwinyi ambaye alimkandia sana. Kikwete alirithi karibu kila kitu toka kwa Mkapa. Rejea baraza lake la mawaziri kuundwa karibu na wale wote waliokuwamo kwenye utawala wa Mkapa. Bado hujaongelea NGO za wake wa wakubwa.


Mkapa aliingia kwa mgongo wa Nyerere wakati Kikwete kwa ule wa Takrima. Haya ni madai ambayo hayajapingwa na utawala wa Kikwete na Kikwete mwenyewe!

Kuna mambo ambapo Mkapa na Kikwete wanafanana. Mkapa hakupambana na rushwa zaidi ya kupoteza pesa ya watanzania kwa kuunda tume ya Warioba. Kikwete kwa upande wake hataki hata kuongelea rushwa ukiachia mbali kutoa matumaini na kutafuta sababu za kusingizia kama ambavyo juzi alilaumu kuongezeka bei za mafuta kuwa chanzo cha masahibu ya watanzania. Jambo hili si kweli. Maana watanzania walianza kuumia hata kabla ya mafuta kupanda bei.

Wataalamu wa uchumi wanasema ufisadi hasa wa EPA na Richomond ndivyo vyanzo hasa vya masahibu haya.

Kitu kingine kinachofananisha Mkapa na Kikwete ni ile hali ya kujizungushia marafiki na wana familia katika kuendesha nchi. Rejea kuundwa kwa NGOs tata za WAMA na EOTL. Katika hili Kikwete amempiku Mkapa kwa kuruhusu mwanae na mkewe kujiingiza kwenye siasa za chama cha mapinduzi hasa walipogombea na kutumia jina lake na kupita.

Je sasa ni kwanini watanzania wanaweza kumkumbuka Mkapa wakimuona kuwa bora kuliko Kikwete?

Kwanza Mkapa alikuwa akijibu tuhuma zilizokuwa zikiukabili utawala wake kitu ambacho Kikwete anakiogopa na kukikwepa kuliko kitu chochote. Makapa alipobanwa na vyombo vya habari kuhusiana na rushwa, alijibu alipokuwa Singida. Ingawa majibu yake hayakuwa majibu kitu zaidi ya kuwataka wenye vyombo vya habari nao kueleza walipokuwa wamepata mitaji ya kuvianzisha, angalau majibu yake ya hovyo yalionyesha msimamo wake.

Wakati wa utawala wa Mkapa ingawa aliwaridhisha wawekezaji na mataifa ya nje, angalau alikuwa na la kuonyesha. Kwa sasa Kikwete hana chochote cha kuweza kuonyesha zaidi ya rundo la kashfa alizozikalia bila kujulikana atazishughulikia lini.

Mkapa alipoingia hakutoa ahadi zozote zaidi ya Marehemu baba wa taifa kuwaaminisha kwa maneno tu kuwa Mkapa alikuwa Mr. Clean na angewatumikia vyema. Ingawa haikuwa hivyo, alikuwa hadaiwi sana kama Kikwete aliyeahidi pepo chini ya kile alichokiita kuwapeleka watanzania Kanani kwenye nchi ya maziwa na asali toka Misri (kwa Mkapa) jambo ambalo hajatekeleza zaidi ya kuwapeleka Misri zaidi ya alipowakuta.

Tukija kwenye uchumi, Mkapa anaweza kuonekana bora kuliko Kikwete. Ingawa aliuza mashirika ya umma kwa bei ya kutupwa ili kukidhi matakwa ya wanunuzi waliomkatia chake, ingawa alikuwa na ushawishi wa kuweza kupata misaada hata kama siyo mingi.

Kwa sasa kila uchao, Kikwete anapata mashinikizo toka kwa nchi fadhili kuwa kama hatashughulikia ufisadi watakata misaada yao. Rejea onyo kama hili la hivi karibuni lililotolewa na nchi kumi na nne fadhili zikiongozwa na Denmark.

Mkapa alisifika kwa kujenga na kubomoa hoja. Kikwete kwa bahati mbaya si kwake binafsi wala wasaidizi wake, hakuna mwenye kichwa kinachochemka kuweza kufanya hivyo. Kama kuna analolimilki si jingine bali kutoa ahadi hewa kila uchao na kuchukulia mambo nyeti kirahisi rahisi. Rejea anavyocheza cheza na ufisadi.

Mkapa ingawa alizidisha matatizo ya Muungono kwa kuwachia Salmin Amour na Amani Karume wafanye watakavyo, hakupambana na upinzani mkali juu ya Muungano kama ilivyo kwa sasa kwa Kikwete ambaye hali inavyoonekana, naye ataliahirisha tatizo la Muungano kama alivyofanya Mkapa.

Tuhitimishe. Ukiwaweka kwenye mizani watawala wetu wawili, ingawa wote hawana manufaa kwa taifa, angalau Mkapa anaanza kuonekana bora kuliko Kikwete. Hii ni baada ya kuangalia muda wa miaka kumi ya Mkapa na mitatu ya Kikwete. Utakuta kuwa Kikwete amechafuka mapema tofauti na Mkapa ambaye angalau kwa miaka yake mitano ya mwanzo hakuwa na kashfa lukuki na kubwa kama hizi za utawala wa Kikwete. Hata katika uteuzi wa watendaji, Mkapa alikuwa makini zaidi ya Kikwete ukiachia kupotoka kwa kumteua waziri mkuu Fredrick Sumaye aliyegeuka mzigo kwake lakini akamaliza ngwe yake tofauti na Edward Lowassa aliyeteuliwa na Kikwete akaishia kumuachia aibu asiyoweza kuifuta hata kwa miaka milioni moja.
Hakika, kwa aibu na hasira tutakuja kumkumbuka Mkapa ingawa hafai na hajajibu tuhuma zinazomkabili za kujipatia utajiri akiwa madarakani kinyume cha sheria. Hapa hatujawadurusu watawala wetu kichama. Je Kikwete atatufikisha wapi? Ni suala la wakati. Je kuna haja ya kungoja hadi tufikishwe huko.

Hili ni changamoto kwa watanzania wote wakubwa kwa wadogo wanaogumiwa maisha kila uchao.

Wito maalumu, namtaka Kikwete akomeshe mauaji ya mazeruzeru haraka kwa kupiga marufuku shughuli haramu za uganga zilizoshamiri hapa nchini.
Chanzo: Dira ya Tanzania Agosti 12, 2008.

Wednesday 6 August 2008

Senegal: Is Abdoulaye Wade Destroying his Legacy?


The man we thought to be a doyen of democracy in Senegal, Abdoulaye Wade, professor of law and the winner of Liberal International Prize for Freedom in 2003 used the Parliament to illegally extend his five year term to seven years!

Encouragingly, the opposition boycotted this gimmick. Police threatened to arrest anyone who dared to demonstrate or come near Parliament that blessed this pernicious plat. Tumultuous rumour is rife. Possibilities are, though without denouement, Wade is paving way for his son Karim to succeed him. What a disgrace-cum-sacrilege of the kingship in the making! If, indeed, this is the elite Africa has, Sophocles’ wisdom that when wisdom brings no profit to be wise is to suffer will hold water for ever!

Wade’s struggles to the top took him over twenty years. He first ran for presidency in 1978. He’s touted as a liberal and democrat altogether little knowing he’s but a self-seeker. When he clinched victory, many thought the saviour they had waited for had come.

"The first great objective of my political life was to get rid of a system in Senegal. Midnight has struck, the system is dead," he said after being elected president. He said he wanted to get rid of a rotten and dead system. Which system? Did he mean something else as we see it today? Maybe, and indeed yes.

This Machiavellian gimcrack ploy is becoming an order of the day in African tawdry politics. It started in Zambia. Former president, Fredrick Chiluba threw all caution to the wind and wanted to run for a third term. His madness was foiled thanks to the mature Zambian parliamentarians.

Next came Bakili Muluzi in the neighbouring Malawi. The parliament did not consent to being used against the people. It blotted the genie from getting out of the bottle. Since then, Muluzi has become another symbol of shame after Dictator Kamuzu Banda.

Thereafter, Nigerian Olusegun Obasanjo after tasting the honey wanted the whole beehive. He, too, was broken off by democratically mature Nigerian parliament. Now Senegal is the limelight of political predatory.

Slowly, Africa is cascading down to this civil coup d’Etats perpetrated by those we wrongly thought were there for the people. A couple of days ago, the scenario in Senegal forced me to re-read Chinua Achebe’s Man of the People turned into Henrik Ibsen’s Enemy of the People. Indeed, I found a typical replica of what these two doyen writers predicted; the chief Nangas of today. This was the then Africa.

If this is the way Africa is being abused; chances are that military regimes are likely to resurface. For what was done in Senegal can instigate armies to contemplate taking power as it was before they were banned. And it’s tantamount to military take over.And shall this happen, nobody should blame.

Most of those attempting to defalcate in the constitutions as it happened in Senegal are the same betes noix that came to power by the support of the majority.Wade, just like Mwai Kibaki in Kenya and some others came to power as the harbingers of second liberation in their countries. But sadly, after sipping a lot from the cup of power, they become absolutely intoxicated and insane so as to attempt abuse the same hand that fed them.

We’re talking of post-democratic beings. There’re those that came to power illegally such as Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Meles Zenawi (Ethiopia),Yahaya Jammeh (Gambia), Muamar Gadaffi (Libya), Dennis Sassou Ngweso (Congo), Foure yadema (Togo), Omar Bashir (Sudan) and other many more that are manipulating their constitutions to remain in power.

I can’t believe why a professor and a president like Wade can behave like illiterate Samuel Doe or Valentine Strasser. Apart from that, Wade, an octogenarian is acting like a rookie that in lieu was supposed to admonish others in the matter pertaining to democracy and good governance.

Importantly, Africans must stop yelling and believing that the AU can solve this anathema. Think tanks all over the continent should organize themselves to see to it that we enlighten the people to turn against such contraband regimes. These self made regimes should go without any proscriptions.

As a professor Wade is supposed to know: his maniac can cause political instability and chaos. This apart from endangering the country politically, will send it into economic mayhem. Kenyans know this too well thanks to the recent political predatory and vandalism.

"We have told everyone we will shave our heads to be like Mr. Wade," "After that we are going to stand naked in front of the presidential palace to proclaim that we are like new-born babies and that a new Senegal is born."

These two quotes come from Wade’s supporters then when he was an illuminating figure- not the let down he is today. Will such courageous voices keep mum as their man becomes another self made African tyrant? This is but a challenge to Senegalese and Africans in general. Will Senegalese fluff and bluff or blot the genie though it is out of the bottle? Will those who vowed to strip naked and shave stop doing it for the sake of their nation?
Source: The African Executive Magazine August 6, 2008.

Ndoto ya majuha wawili

TAZAMA niko nimejilaza. Mama Ndiza amelala ngomani. Hivyo niko na baridi yangu nikiwaza hili na lile. Ila pamoja na yote nitalala.

Kwanza naota. Eti niko kwenye jumba la kifalme huku Mama Ndiza akiwa na bonge la NGO ya ulaji; nisijue niko kwenye ubavu wangu wa mbwa, tena wa mama mzaramizi! Siwezi kujilisha pepo kama majuha.

Namuona mama aliyenawiri akidaka mipesa kama hana akili nzuri. Yeye hajali wampao hata wawe vyangu na vibaka, yeye anasunda tu! Hayo tuyaache niliyatongoa wiki iliyopita kiasi cha kuwaudhi bibi Anna Tamaa Makapi na Zahma Kishweshwe.

Tazama. Naona ombaomba wawili majnuni. Mmoja mkubwa na mwingine mdogo akiwa ameshikilia magongo aliyochongewa na huyu wa kwanza. Wanataka kutoana macho wakigombea umaskini badala ya utajiri! Wanabishania ujinga eti urafiki wao unawaletea umaskini wakati unaletwa na ujuha wao!

Mmoja anaitwa A-mini Karum Keng na mwingine Njaa-kaya Kikwekwe. Hawa ombaomba wavivu waliachiwa urithi na wazazi wao mzee Zenj Bai na Tang Nying-ka. Ebo! Wana majina utadhani Wachina na si Wamakonde!

Majuha wetu hawa waliachiwa ardhi tele hasa kwa huyu mkubwa mpenda sifa. Huyu wa pili, yaani mdogo mwenye magongo, yeye kaachiwa kipande cha kiamba. Hana ardhi wala mali. Humtegemea huyu mkubwa ambaye naye ni juha kiasi cha kushindwa kutumia akili na mali lukuki aliyoachiwa na marehemu wazazi wake.

Wao bila aibu wameshikilia kuombaomba huku wakijisifu kuwa familia zao zimetulia kwa sababu watoto na wake zao nao majuha hawalalamiki kwa ugumu wa maisha utokanao na kutotumia akili kwake.

Watalalamikaje iwapo kila mtu anaiba atakacho wakati atakao? Watalalamikaje iwapo wake zao wanajifanyia kila ufuska, wao wasijali? Nao wako kwenye ufuska wao. Kila mtu fuska na ufuska wake awe mkubwa au mdogo.

Na ufuska huu umefanya watu washindwe kudai haki zao na wengine kutotimiza majukumu yao. Mbona kwa majirani moto unawaka kutokana na makosa hata madogo kuliko hii zahama wanayofanya majinuni hawa ngulumbili?

Majuha hawa wawili ambao baba zao walikuwa maarufu na marafiki si chochote bali kero kwa familia zao. Kutokana na huyu mkubwa kuachiwa urithi mwingi lakini akawa hamnazo, amekuwa akimtumia hamnazo mwenzake kama kikaragosi chake kufanya upuuzi wao. Humpangia alale saa ngapi, ale nini na avae nini.

Maana kila saa wako wote kwenye upuuzi wao wauitao maisha! Watoto wa huyu gendaeka wa pili wengi wanaishi kwa huyu juha mwenzie mtepetevu.

Pamoja na wote kujaliwa kuwa marafiki wakiufaidi utajiri wa juha mkubwa ambaye naye anaanza kuishiwa, wamefuja kila kitu kiasi cha kuanza kusababisha ugomvi pande mbili.

Watoto wa juha mkubwa wanalalamika. Haki zao zimezidi kuibiwa na kupewa watoto wa juha mwenye magongo. Kisa? Eti juha mkubwa kwa kutoa masharti kwa juha mdogo ameridhika aendelee kukondesha wanawe ili kulinda ushufaa uchwara huu.

Watoto wake wanashangaa. Mbona wengi wana elimu hata mali kuliko huyu juha mdogo ambaye kimsingi utajiri alio nao ni wa mawazo?

Wapo wanaodai: kama baba yao ataendelea na ujuha wake basi urafiki uvunjike. Maana huyu juha mdogo kalianzisha. Eti baadhi ya watoto wake vizabizabina wanasema naye ni mwanamume.

Hivyo hapaswi kupangiwa maisha na juha mkubwa wasijue alikomtoa zama zile! Kwao wanadhani mwanamume ni kuota ndevu na kuvaa suruali, wasijue mengine mengi!

Ila wamesahu kitu kimoja. Juha mkubwa akicharuka akawatimua watoto wa juha mdogo, kijumba chao cha fito hakitawatosha. Isitoshe baadhi ya watoto hawajui kuwa bila ya juha mkubwa kuendelea kumtawala juha mdogo angeishapigwa na watoto zake zamani.

Maana wale watoto aliozaa na mama wa Kimanga halafu akawatosa wana hasira naye. Kama si huyu juha mkubwa kutumia misuli yao juu ya baba yao, mbona alishalizwa zamani gani! Wamesahau walivyo vizalia vya watwana waliotawaliwa na mmanga zama za zama!

Kinachokera ni ile hali ya majuha wawili kila mmoja kujifanya mjanja wakati wote majuha. Juzi juzi juha mdogo kapata ushawishi wa baadhi ya watoto wake eti anataka adai uhuru kutoka kwa juha mkubwa, asijue uhuru gharama!

Majuha huwa hayakosi vituko. Yanatapanya mali yaliyorithi halafu yanaenda kuombaomba kwa majirani. Nasikia juha mkubwa yupo kwenye majadiliano kufanya urafiki na jamaa wengine wajanja ilhali huu wa majuha, tena juha mdogo umemshinda! Kweli ujuha ni mbaya kuliko hata ndwele, maana ndwele yaweza pata mganguzi.

Mwambie anapotea. Utatukanwa na kupewa majina utadhani nawe juha kama wao! Kinachokera cha majuha hawa ni ile tabia ya kuombaomba wakapewa halafu wakawaibia watoto wao.

Majuha hawa ni wapenda matanuzi. Kuadhimisha siku za kuzaliwa kwao ni sikukuu na mapumziko, huku maelfu ya pesa yakitumika kwenye upuuzi huu. Wamejizungushia wapambe na kupeana utawala ndani ya utawala wasijue wao ni omba omba vichaa na majuha.

Jamani hata juha alindwe na walinzi wenye ‘mapurendi’, bado juha ni juha. Tena juha huyu huwa juha zaidi kwa vile hupofuka asione mambo kama yalivyo, bali aambiwavyo kama walivyo wetu majuha wakuu. Kutwa kucha wako ngomani wakitembea hata miji ya mbali kubomu na kutangaza ujuha wao!

Juzi juha mdogo kagundua akiba ya madini kwenye kipande cha ardhi alichoachiwa na wazazi wake. Wacha aanze kumgeuka yule juha mkubwa akisema kuanzia sasa kila mtu asimjue mwenzake.

Anadhani kapata utajiri asijue kuwa na akiba ya madini si dili, bali kutia akili!

Mbona juha mkubwa ana vitu kama hivyo kwenye mashamba ya marehemu baba yake lakini havimsadii zaidi ya kuachia wenye akili wajifaidie yeye akiendelea kufaidiwa na aibu ya kubomu?

Majuha kweli yana mambo. Yaani juha mdogo hajui kuwa juha mkubwa akiamua kuvunja uswahiba huu wa majuha, muathirika wa kwanza atakuwa yeye. Kiardhi chake kidogo hata hakitoshi kuzalisha chakula cha kulisha utitiri wa watoto aliowazaa kama panya.

Kitu kingine, yeye hana mabaunsa wa kumlinda likizuka vagi. Maskini kasahau kuwa hata alipotaka kurithi ukuu wa ukoo wake ni juha mkubwa aliyemuokoa kwa kutuma mabaunsa wake kusimamia wizi uliofanywa kupatikana mkuu wa ukoo!

Juha mkubwa anajisifia kitu kimoja. Watoto wake wengi wamekula unga na kuvuta mibangi kiasi cha kugeuka makondoo. Wenye akili lau kiduchu kawamaliza kwa kuwakatia chumo la wizi kwenye fuko la familia. Juzi kulikuwa na wizi wa EPA yaani ‘Ewe Pakua Achana-nami.’

Mitoto yake mijambazi mbona imejizolea pesa ile ya kuomba na kuishia kuwa na utajiri lukuki!

Wengi wanaojua utajiri wa juha mkubwa wanashangaa ni kwanini anang’ang’ania usuhuba na juha, tena maskini, wakati anao uwezo wa kulisha familia yake bila kumtegemea mtu!

Na wale wanaojua uchovu wa juha mdogo wanashangaa anakopata jeuri kudai anavyodai. Au ni hivi viakiba kidogo vya madini vilivyogunduliwa kwenye kiamba chake?

Ama kweli juha kweli juha.

Ananikumbusha kipindi fulani. Watoto wa juha mdogo walikuwa wakipita mitaani wakijidai kuwa kuna siku watakuwa wakwasi kutokana na wajomba zao wa kimanga kuwatupia mabaki!

Watu wazima mnategemea vya wajomba au ni yale ya mtoto wa nyoka ni nyoka? Mbona mababu zenu hawakuwa omba omba? Au ni yale ya simba kumzaa mbwa? Majuha yatamalizana vipi, nani anajua japo waweza bunia? Akili kichwani. Waambiwa walo juu, walo chini wataambua wenyewe.


Source: Tanzania Daima Agosti 6, 2008.

Monday 4 August 2008

The dirge for Chacha Zakayo Wangwe







IT is very sad indeed. Chacha Zakayo Wangwe, MP for Tarime, is no longer with us! Gone is the man who roared like a lion as he spoke about political and economic issues that he deeply cared in Tanzania.


Indeed, when Wangwe’s voice was heard, many Tanzanians seemed to listen carefully to what he said. Being a forceful critic, along with Dr Willbroad Slaa and others, Mr Wangwe was not fearful to expose government misdeeds as he did so well during the revelation of the EPA scandal.

I can comfortably say he was a man and a half. I believe so. When one looks at his struggles in life, one has to nod that Wangwe was a real person who sought to inspire people to exercise their individual rights guaranteed in the national constitution. Indeed, Wangwe was a challenge to many of us as he sparked our minds on issues of public interest in the nation.

Following his political rhetoric as a member of NCCR-Mageuzi, I became so interested in Wangwe’s public issues that analyzed well the plight of poor majority Tanzanians. I still remember Wangwe in the way he used to roar at public rallies in urging Tanzanians to join a new political party other than CCM. For example, when CCM played God by toying almost everybody around, Wangwe was fearless in exercising his freedom of speech to speak out the abuse of authority by CCM. Now, this firebrand is a dead candle! Dead is Wangwe, but not what he stood against such as the violation of the rule of law, corruption and abuse of power. I know that many may probably say that Wangwe was a troublemaker, especially when the recent fallout between him and other official members of Chadema became a public issue. I

know, for sure, that disagreements or conflicts are natural and that people can’t avoid them. What seems to be true is that Wangwe did not close all communication channels in effort of resolving the conflict. And, indeed, that made him a strong man in finding a solution to the problem.

I, for one, would take all good in-puts that Wangwe donated to Tanzania’s struggles against corruption and maladministration - anathema that still eats our country.

Now, Wangwe is gone. I send my heartfelt condolences to the family, and voters in Tarime. I have one word for all, and that is make sure that Wangwe is replaced by a person, who has the same convictions, which can move forward his dreams. Let gone be the other side of Wangwe we think we did not like or appreciate. He was a human being like you and I. We thus need to appreciate whatever good he left behind as we move on with our lives.

Against all odds, Wangwe, though, a neophyte, even a rookie, stood a high ground to foster whatever he believed in.

Again, that is what he knew too well so as to fight amidst turmoil. Who can be the first to throw a stone to he who labours under ghoulish?politics of lies that Wangwe fought nail and tooth? This, indeed, is what helped all of us to know what was going on in this country. As bad as trouble makings may seem, we need to learn one thing from Wangwe, and that is, he was a man of character, dignity, and respect as he fought for the rights of every Tanzanian.

But a point should be noted that when we heroically fight, we must do so for the good cause of the nation in lieu of self-seeking prosperity. At this time when the nation is on the move of cleaning evil, let us remember that people like Wangwe contributed immensely to the nativity of tough stance against Mafisadi, even though the fight has not yielded much as we expected.

The Mafisadi, he used to pursue are smiling and congratulating each other; many of us are grieving for the loss of Wangwe. But the death of Wangwe should act as a catalyst in lieu of deterrence. Once one hero goes automatically another emanates. I thus strongly believe that voters in Tarime will eventually give us another person of his caliber.He did what many elites failed. Whilst they complained and feared for their dear lives, Wangwe came forth with full force to see to it that Mafisadi pack and hit the road. And indeed he did. One can see this by counting the number of the already hammered Fisadis, especially from high government offices.

If anything, I mourn Wangwe as I remember the precedent he set for all of us.
Go Wangwe for the job fare-thee-well done. But you were a hero. Accord my salaams to Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, Edward Sokoine, Horrace Kolimba, Hussein Shekilango, Seth Benjamin, and others whose blood was shed in the planting of a beautiful tree known as Tanzania.
To the Fisadis, rest assured that you will never get away with it despite the death of the great fighters. We shall pursue you ad infinitum. Fare-thee-well Chacha Zakayo.
Source: Thisday August 4, 2008.