The Chant of Savant

Tuesday 30 September 2008

Where is the rule of law?

A FEW days ago there was shocking news that a certain businessman implicated in many scams was appointed to give a keynote speech in the forum for the development of Tanzania.

This drew ire from the general public. Though, our people, for long, have been regarded as inept and stupid, this time around they stood up and registered their anger.

Going back to the folklore, there is a tale of a baboon that stole much corn so as to be regarded richer than the farmers whose corn it stole. To add injuries to insults, the baboon used to help farmers who were hit by drought!

Needless to say, Tanzania is an underdeveloped country. She badly needs development. But who’ll bring this needed development and how? Pretexts and chest beatings, aside, are we really determined to bring this development? How, if the speakers, dominoes and advocates we intended to send to discuss with stakeholders are totally rotten and suspicious?

This weakness reminds me of former President Benjamin Mkapa who used to make us believe that privatization was the magic bullet for our attainment of development, something that proved to be a lie. It too reminds me of upbeat and grandiose dreams of our rulers that they would meet Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) something that has proved to be another setback for the nation.

True, we’re off the cliff hanging to penury. Reason? Stinking corruption and poor planning are the causes almost in everything. Shockingly, we steal dote and tope as if everything is normal! We still day dream that the future of our country is in the dirty hands of thieves!

You cannot attain any development without stamping out corruption. You cannot attain development without walking on a tight rope as far as the rules of the game are concerned. What a grandstanding, so to speak!

How can development emanate from begging in lieu of planning and working diligently and hard? What has never been underscored is the truth that talking tough is one thing, and acting smart is quite another. What fallacy for the country with all organs of the state in place to appoint and consent to a wrong person in realizing her dreams and advocacy of development?

Methinks even those that are ready to chip in to see to it that we revamp our sick economy will never take us seriously. For we have never been serious in anything.

Going back to the folklore, when one looks at how mineral-opulent Tanzania is languishing in begging, he will surely be shocked and disgusted. What is wrong with these people? He would ask.

Let us go to Europe or America. But without taking corruption seriously head on nothing will come forth. Ask me. What have we done reminiscent to Richmond, EPA, TICTS (I like calling it ticks), IPTL, Radar-and-presidential-jet, purchase scams?


Does it mean we don’t know the parasites behind these anathemas? Ask our authorities of tangible efforts to arrest the same; much will be said. Some will languish in nonexistent human rights, others in legal technicalities.

But when all this hanky panky is going on, our economy is at its pearl harbour. Let us face it point blank. Our red herring in this dilemma is nothing but greed and myopia.

We’ve been hearing songs and mantras about the rule of law and good governance. Where are these creatures? Like in the tale of the lampoon of the baboon, those singing these slogans are the same chaps behind all the malpractices and mega corruption.

Who’s taxing another to come clean? We’ve people, respectable as they are; and would like to remain so whilst they don?t deserve it. They’re openly implicated in wrong doings for the detriment of the same country. Yet still, they aver.

They want to develop our country. Some of them have never even bothered to mount their defences. Lies and pretexts are the only things we know. We’re told some days ago. Some of these jet set smoothies we see on the streets have already been ’dealt with’ with regards to EPA. How many? Who knows if these saying so do not want to divulge any information as if this whole business of the state is their private matter?

What has never been clear for such mandrills and mongrels is the fact that the tree the baboon is priding to be his is not his. The other day I read an article in which one analyst was blaming corrupt business swindlers, especially Indians and their conspirators - our unfaithful rulers. This is when the president of ANC, Jacob Zuma was implicated in corruption thanks to Schabir Shaik whose lull left Zuma tarnished.


Our rulers are innocent and trustworthy when it comes to telling us whose this country is. They always say this jiggery-pokery. ’’We’re hither (in power) to serve you.’’ Do they really serve us? Do they live up to this? If not, then, why don’t we tax them even recall them or jib from being driven to the purgatory?

There have been a lot of noises urging for example the president to act on the above enumerated mega corruption scams. Suppose the president for reasons known to him stays put to see to it that these scams are dying a natural death. What will the general public do to address this and make sure they get what they need and deserve?

To prove that our people are to blame, let me get out of this topic for a while. There have been so many noises regarding the killings of people with albinism. To this effect, our noble government has never come up with any serious strategy to curb this. Tell me; what have our people whose sisters and brothers are butchered have ever done to see to it this comes to an end?

Of late I am told?the killings are still going on indiscreetly as if there is no government! The EU some days ago chipped in. With its coca like force, slowly everything relegated to normalcy and everybody is doing business as usual!


Let me surmise. Our development will never be realized if we do not stop acting like the baboon in the lampooning pun in the folklores. Never should it happen to appoint controversial people to advocate our development. The right thing to do for us is to make sure that these villains and freebooters are brought to books.
Source: Thisday September 30, 2008.

Uhuni, ufisadi na somo tokana na Mbeki

Wasomaji wangu wengi huwa wananiona kama mshambuliaji. Kwao huwa sioni jema la mtu. Kama huna jema kwanini mimi nikutengenezee jema ili iwe nini? Mimi siyo mwandishi changudoa kujikomba kwa wakubwa.

Safu hii leo inakuja na sifa za kweli za shujaa ambaye anaondoka madarakani akiwa anang’aa ingawa amefanyiwa uhuni na mafisadi nchini mwake.


Rais wa zamani wa Afrika Kusini, Thabo Mvuyelwa Govan Mbeki, mpambanaji wa muda mrefu dhidi ya ubaguzi wa rangi hakuwa mtu mbaya kabisa. Ukiachia mbali kuwa kutojua kilichokuwa kinaendelea nchini na chamani mwake, anaondoka akiwa msafi na shujaa wa kuigwa.

Mbeki hakuwa kupe wala mpenda madaraka kama watawala wengine vidhabi barani mwetu. Hakuwa king’ang’anizi. Ingawa alionekana kulewa madaraka sawa na walevi wa madaraka wengine, hakuwa fisadi. Rejea kuondoka bila kuhusishwa na uchafu wowote kwa muda wote mrefu aliokuwa madarakani.


Ingawa ameondolewa kihuni, Mbeki atabaki kwenye vitabu vya historia kuwa angalau hakupend ufisadi. Alimtimua kazi makamu wake wa rais Jacob Zuma kutokana na tuhuma za kushiriki ufisadi. Lilipotokea hili, Mbeki hakuwa na cha mwenzetu au atataja siri zetu. Aliweka nchi mbele kuliko chama huku akiongoza kwa kuwa mbele badala ya kufanya hivyo kwa sanaa na ujanja ujanja.

Ingawa anashutumiwa kuwa aliingilia kwenye kesi ya ufisadi inayomkabili hasimu wake Zuma, bado ukweli uko pale pale kuwa Zuma ni fisadi na hata asherati aliyewahi kukiri hata kutembea na binti wa rafiki yake tena muathirika.

Cha kushangaza ni jinsi taifa hili tajiri barani linavyoweza kumtosa msomi na mtu msafi aliyetoa mchango mkubwa kwake likamkumbatia mtu wa darasa la nne tena mwenye kunuka kila kona!

Changamoto ni je huyu msanii ataweza kuunganisha chama na nchi akiweka mbele maslahi ya nchi badala ya tamaa yake ya ukwasi na madaraka? Je huu ni mwanzo wa kugawanyika kwa chama kikongwe kwenye mapambano dhidi ya dhuluma cha African National Congress (ANC)?

Hata hivyo, kama kweli Mbeki aliingilia kwa namna yoyote kwenye kesi, kufanya hivi kumemgharimu sana. Ameondoshwa kimya kimya kana kwamba hana mchango kwa taifa lake! Na hakika hii ni aibu kwa taifa la Afrika Kusini siyo kwa Mbeki.

Mbeki hataisha kwenye vitabu vya historia. Ni rais wa kwanza kuondoshwa madarakani na chama alichokiongoza. Hii si kawaida kwenye siasa chafu na za kifisadi za kujuana za Kiswahili. Hata hivyo Mbeki hakutetemeka wala kulia zaidi ya kuachia madaraka ambayo yameanza kugeuka utata mtupu.

Mbeki mpigania amani na msuluhishi wa kupigiwa mfano, atakakumbukwa kwa juhudi zake zilizoleta serikali ya umoja wa kitaifa (Government of National Unity (GNU)).


Ingawa Mbeki alilaumiwa kumkingia kifua imla wa Zimbabwe, baadaye alijua kosa lake na kuamua kuwasuluhisha Mugabe na hasimu wake waziri mkuu Morgan Tsvangirai.



Hata hivyo Mbeki anaondoka aking’ara kama nyota huku ukweli ukingoja kuchukua nafasi yake. Maana aliyemfanyia uhuni naye atafanyiwa. Kwani imenenwa: aishiye kwa upanga atakufa kwa upanga. Mbeki kama binadamu anaweza kusikitika hata kujenga chuki. Lakini ukweli ni kwamba wealiompindua ingawa wameidanganya dunia kuwa walitanguliza maslahi ya nchi, ukweli ni kwamba walitanguliza maslahi ya Zuma ambaye kimkakati na kila namna hana jipya wala ajenda kwa taifa. Atapata wapi ajenda wakati yu fisadi anayenuka ukiachia mbali kuwa kihiyo?

Ukichunguza ni nani ametanguliza nchi na maslahi ya binafsi, utagundua kuwa Mbeki ametoa funzo kubwa kwa bara zima la Afrika kuwa madaraka ni wingu la kupita sawa na nguo ya kuazima. Wenye madaraka wakiyataka wape.

Mbeki amejitofautisha kuwa si mtu tegemezi ima wa kujikomba kwenye chama au kutegemea mitandao kama wengine wafanyavyo. Ameacha uchumi imara ukiachia mbali amani. Amejitahidi kuukuza na kuulea uchumi ambao waliompindua wamekuwa mstari wa mbele kuuhujumu.

Ingawa uhuni aliofanyiwa Mbeki unasikitisha, Afrika inapaswa kujifunza somo moja kuu. Kuwa kuna haja ya kuanza kufikiria kuwa-recall watawala waovu na wabovu waliotamalaki barani kwetu.

Huu ni wakati muafaka kwa vyama tawala vya Tanzania Uganda na Rwanda kujifunza kitu. Kwani vimeziteka nchi zao na kuwang’ang’ania viongozi wabovu na mafisadi chini ya dhana mbovu za uwenzetu.

Mbeki angekuwa king’ang’anizi angeweza kutunisha misuli hata kukataa kuachia madaraka. Alikuwa na watu wengi kwenye serikali yake waliomuunga mkono na kumpenda. Rejea kujiuzulu kwa mawaziri 11 na makamu wa rais hata walipoombwa waendelee kuwamo serikalini.

Mbeki anaondoka akiwa mweupe na msafi. Hakujilimbikizia mali wala kushirikiana na wafanyabiashara wezi kama kwenye nchi zetu. Wala mkewe hakuwa na NGO kama ilivyo sasa kwenye nchi nyingi ambapo wake wa wakubwa ni wezi wakubwa kupitia NGO zao za uongo.

Mbeki ameondoka bila kuacha utata kama ilivyowahi kutokea hapa kwetu ambapo rais mstaafu anashutumiwa licha ya kufanya biashara akiwa ikulu na kujilimbikizia utajiri lukuki, anadaiwa kujitwalia mgodi wa makaa ya mawe wa Kiwira ambao serikali ya sasa imeshikwa hata kigugumizi kutoa maelezo. Rejea kushindwa kuwataja wamiliki wa Kiwira ahadi iliyotolewa mbele ya kikao kilichoisha cha bunge na waziri mkuu na waziri wa nishati na madini. Kulikoni hapa? Je huu nao siyo uhuni? Je hawa siyo wanaopaswa kuwa re-called?


Uhuni na unyang’au aliofanyiwa Mbeki ingawa unaumiza, unapaswa kutoa somo moja kuu kuwa kung’ang’ania madarakani iwe ni kwa nguvu ubabaishaji au usanii ni masuala yanayopaswa kupigwa buti.

Mbeki umeondoka ukiwa shujaa kuliko ulivyoingia madarakani. Kazi yako pevu imekoma. Tunangoja kuwaona wahuni waliokupindua watachangia nini zaidi ya kubomoa mema uliyofanya. Tanzania tuna uzoefu na hili. Yako wapi mema aliyoacha Nyerere?

Leo wahuni wanaweza kujiona washindi. Kesho itawafichua. Tuulize. Yako wapi matunda ya ushindi wa Tsunami na safari ya kwenda Kanani vilivyogeuka kuwa vitendawili. Ulilza tena. Yako wapi maisha bora kwa kila mwananchi?

malizia. Je tumepambana na ufisadi zaidi ya kuupamba kiasi gani? Kuna mambo ya ajabu. Nani angeamini kuwa paka angepewa maziwa ayalinde? Imetokea ambapo katika chama fulani watuhumiwa wakuu wa ufisadi wameteuliwa eti kuchunguza ufisadi.

Imetokea ambapo vigogo fulani wa taasisi nyeti waliotuhumiwa kwa rushwa na ufisadi unaonuka waliteuliwa kuchunguza kashfa ya EPA. Imetokea ambapo wezi wakuu wameteuliwa hata kuwa wawakilishi wetu nje.
Nenda salama na kapumzike Thabo Mvuyelwa Govan Mbeki.
Amandla.

Chanzo: Dira ya Tanzania Septemba 30, 2008.

Wednesday 24 September 2008

Kikwete, Charity Begins at Home!




President Jakaya Kikwete
Peace lovers, the world over, still have their hands closed for the peace to work in Zimbabwe as it is currently doing in Kenya. As Zimbabwean New Prime Minister-designate, Morgan Tsvangirai put it: the devil is in facing the basics and the ball is in Robert Mugabe’s court.

The recent power sharing in Zimbabwe is something that other countries facing the same debacle should emulate. Among these countries is Tanzania whose Zanzibar’s imbroglio, has already taken toll on the development of this rich but poorly managed country. Tanzania played a great role in brokering peace in Kenya and Zimbabwe. Why does she seem to love others more than she loves herself?

Zimbabwe, once Africa’s food basket has turned into a begging basket. What happened in Zimbabwe is not new in Africa. It is going on in Zanzibar where Opposition Party, Civic United Front (CUF) still stays put to recapture its oft-robbed win. Unfortunately, Zanzibar being a junior partner in the Union of Tanzania has been eclipsed by the giant and given a raw deal. For how long will we play double standards?

Sages have it that " a doctor can not cure himself." Tanzania, whose diplomacy paid dividends in Kenya and Zimbabwe, has failed squarely when it comes to assuage -let alone solving- the same in Zanzibar.It is indeed the right time to remind the players to arrest this imbroglio.

No country can be run and excel without peace and tranquility. Zimbabwe’s saga must act as an eye opener.Though the high and mighty in the upper echelons of power do not subscribe to this, the truth is, they can not hoodwink and toy the hoi polloi for ever. Indeed, their time buying and bigotry are the cause of poverty.They sing development whilst they dance underdevelopment. They preach water and drink wine. This is hypocrisy will do us no good.We can not live on fibs anymore. In Togo, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi and Cameroon to mention but a few, the ruling parties are bulldozing and intimidating the majority.

One thing however receives accolades and kudos. At least Africa is coming of age. Though at a tortoise speed, Africa, has proved it can solve its problems shall the brain be used. This should not let us languish in chest beating as we let other crises in Africa slip by and go under.

Mugabe was hell bent not to talk to the opposition just like Amani Karume in Zanzibar. Why then has he swallowed his pride? Is it because his protector, South African President, Thabo Mbeki is standing down soon and Jacob Zuma who does not see eyes with Mugabe comes in?

African morose potentates have something in common. They behave like babies. The baby wets his or her bed; then starts crying with all tantrums as if somebody else has done so! What a shame!

By coming of age and facing the reality for Africa, maybe, we’ll soon see Ugandan strong man Yoweri Museveni and Kiiza Besigye; and Amani Karume and Seif Sharrif Hamad in Zanzibar on the round table talking sense and peace. In many African countries, opposition still badly needs to do what happened in Kenya and Zimbabwe.

Before winding up, let me congratulate Tanzania for her initiatives in the Comoros, Kenya and now Zimbabwe. What remains to be seen is how Tanzania will come clean on Zanzibar as she faces and takes up this challenge.

Dictators have conned the world by organizing fake elections and using the army to silence the hoi polloi. Tanzania, as a leader in peace initiatives in the region, must avoid the 'do as I tell you but not as I do' mentality. She must lead by example.Tanzanian authorities must put their house in order before going to help their neighbours. The time for solving Zanzibar’s imbroglio and others in Africa is now .
Source: The African Executive Magazine September 24, 2008.

Wiki ya maajabu ya Mpayukaji

KUTEULIWA Endelea Chenga na Chama cha Maulaji na Mafisadi (CCMM), kuchunguza uovu na uoza wakati yeye ndiye mkuu wa genge la maangamizi la uchafu na uovu kwenye kaya.

Yaani wanadhani sisi ni wapuuzi kama wao? Wanadhani tumesahau kuwa Chenga aliiba njuluku zetu na kuzificha kisiwani kwa mother kule Uingilishi?

Kweli vibaka ni wepesi wa kusahau wakidhani nasi tutasahau na kusamehe kama alivyofanya mkuu hivi karibuni. Eti bila aibu alisingizia haki za binadamu utadhani wanakaya wadanganyika siyo binadamu!

Watu walishangaa kuona hata mkuu akimwaga chozi la mamba eti kumruhusu kijana Mapepe kukata rufaa wakati aliishanyongwa! Huu ni ushahidi wa usanii ambao wengi tumekuwa tukinyooshea kidole. Sijui nani anamdanganya nani katika upuuzi huu?

Ajabu, la pili katika wiki iliyopita kwenye kaya yetu Tanzia ya Wadanganyika ni kuokoka kwa jambazi Tunituni wa Makapu aliyetangaza kuwa atakuwa akijihusisha na mambo ya Sir God wakati tunamdai njuluku na miradi yetu kibao aliyoiba na nkewe aitwaye Annae Binti Tamaa Makapu. Hawezi kuokoka akabaki na Kiwila.

Upuuzi huu unanikumbusha kisa cha Paka na tasbihi ya vichwa vya dagaa. Hakuna tofauti na kitubio cha nyani kuacha kula na kuiba mahindi. Rejesheni mali zetu kwanza ndipo mtangaze upuuzi wenu wa kuokoka.

Hivi ni kwa nini kila kibaka siku hizi anakimbilia kwenye dini kama yule fisadi Rost tamu wa Laziz? Je, huu si uvivu wa kufikiri na ufisi wa viongozi wa dini wanaokumbatia fisi hawa wanaoisumbua kaya yetu?

We kibaka mkubwa rejesha njuluku zetu na ule mgodi wa kuchimba makaa ya mawe kule Kiwila.

Jambazi mwingine wa zamani aitwaye Freddie Sumuye eti kumtetea kijana mapepe akashindwa kukemea majambazi wenzake kina Eddie Luwasha, Emmie Mpimbi, Yusufa Makambafu na Kimdunge Ngumbaru mwehu.

Kwanza huyu anadaiwa kukopa mashirika ya kaya njuluku ambazo hakuzirudisha. Pili ilidaiwa na mchungaji tapeli, Chiristofu Mtu kula kuwa amejilimbikizia mimali kibao ya wizi.

Hajawahi kujibu! Jibu tuhuma kwanza ndipo uchonge kumtetea Mapepe. Au ni yale ya machozi ya mamba na mchawi kumlilia mtoto aliyemuua na kumla nyama?

Wanuka jasho kuendelea kuingizwa mkenge na Nistori Nguru aliyewahadaa kuwa alikunwa na kuizimia hotuba uchwara ya jamaa kiasi cha kuachana na mpango wa kugoma ambao nilipanga kuutekeleza mwenyewe hivi majuzi.

Sasa nasema tena kwa kinywa kipana. Wafanywa kazi si mabwege kama nyinyi. Lazima waandamane na kugoma ije mvua au jua. Huwezi kujua. Huenda na wafanyakazi punda ni mabwege kiasi cha kuendelea kufa na tai shingoni. Mei simo nshasema zamani.

Ajabu, jingine ni kurejea kwa wanakaya toka Uchina wakiwa na medali zote za ulaji mahanjumati huko nao ni muujiza ingawa umekuwa ukijirudia kila mwaka.

Naambiwa walishindwa kwenye michezo yote lakini wakashinda kwenye kubukanya, kushangaa na kujinoma kule Beijing. Hawa watalii uchwara sitawaongelea sana. Maana walitia aibu sina mfano. Ingekuwa Uropa mbona wangezamia wasirejee kwenye likaya lililozamishwa na ufisadi.

Muujiza mwingine tulioshuhudia tukabaki bila kuamini ni waliwaji waliotoa kura wakawapa walaji kula kuzidi kuvumilia ujambazi wa Richmonduli na EPA.

Niulize kwanini mwizi Luwasha aliyetimliwa kutokana na wizi anaendelea kulipwa njuluku za kustaafu wakati alitimliwa na Son of Kyembe? Kwa nini asipelekwe lupango akanonihino kwenye debe au mtondoo? Au ni kwa vile ni beste wa Chekacheka?

Kaya hii kweli ya mataahira. Jitu linakwapua mabilioni bado linaongezewa maulaji mengine kwa kisingizio cha likatiba viraka na uchwara. Kama nyie mmeridhia mie simo na wala sitakuwamo hadi nazikwa.

Luwasha ameuwasha kujisafisha baada ya kusafishwa na chama cha majambazi. Amewahonga wahariri na wana habari kanjanja kama Deiwaka Balila Mbweha, ambaye anaendesha gazeti la fisadi Rostitamu la Rau. Changudoa huyu wa kimaadili amejitoa mwili na roho kuhakikisha anashiba mabaki ya uoza wa mafisadi.

Hata changu ana nafuu. Dume zima linatumiwa na kujikomba utadhani halina ubongo! Hata kama Balila kasomeshwa na mafisadi awatetee, ukweli ni kwamba hajasoma kitu wala kuelimika.

Afadhali angerejeshwa vidudu. Maana usomi siyo kutumia makamasi kufikiri kama afanyavyo. Bahati mbaya, kama changu huyu ana watoto ajue basi anawaharibu.

Nao watakuwa vyangu kama yeye. Hasara namna gani? Au ni yale yale ya Silver Rwamunyama changu wa machangu, msemaji wa mkuu wa machukizo?

Kwa haya nipayukayo wapo wanaoweza kudhani nawatukana wanakaya. Anayeona nawatukana wana kaya anieleze ni kwanini wameshindwa kulianzisha kikaeleweka?

Ni kwa nini wananunua magazeti ya umbea kama Rau? Yaani wanapoteza njuluku zao kusoma sifa za mafisadi! Gomea magazeti yote ya mafisadi muone kama hawatadondoka kama kupe kwenye mgongo wa ng’ombe. Nguruwe ni nguruwe hata ukimpaka lipstick anabakia kuwa nguruwe.

Kuonyesha kaya ilivyo na watu matutusa, hebu angalia mafisi na mafisadi wanavyozidi kufichuana huku umma ukinenua. Juzi ulifichuliwa ujambazi wa tapeli mmoja chiriku wa kuwaimba wenzake asijue yake yanajulikana bali watu wanalimbika.

Nani alidhani Joni Kombo wa Kombahaha angekuwa fisadi tena wa kuiba njuruku za wanuka jasho wanaokesha kama majogoo wakiumiza makoo yao majukwaani? Ajabu jingine, eti mgosi Yusufa Makambaye anasimama na kuapa kuwa atamtoa mtu udenda hasa yule aliyevujisha uchafu huu? Kwani kutapisha uchafu ni kosa jamani?

Huyu mgosi naye sijui kaingiliwa na nini? Kwa Mapepe na Luwasha anakinga kifua! Kumsafisha kibaka Luwasha, yumo. Kunani mgosi kutumiwa kama dodoki au nawe umekatiwa? Nani anajua? Zee wewe una nini au ni yale ya Kimdunge Ngumbaru Mwehu –mtu mzima hovyo?

Kwa vile Kombahaha ni jirani yetu huenda ataelewa busara ya methali hii, ‘Chikomekome cha mkuyu, mkati muli nyerere’ maana yake siyo kila ving’aravyo ni dhahabu.

Kama Kombahaha alikuwa hajui kuwa watu wanamdeku, basi aambiwe. Tunajua alivyoshirikiana na kibaka wa Malawi Bakuli Miluzi kuubia umma wa Wamalawi maskini kiasi cha kuibuka na shule mbili huku akiwa kihiyo.

Joni, acha utoto we mtu mkubwa sasa. Pia elewa watu wanakujua kuliko unavyojijua. Rudisha njuluku za wachovu uendelee kula za huyo mjinga wa Kiyao.

Ajabu jingine la wiki hii ni kuumbuana kwa mimama mizima tena wake wa vigogo wa kiama na kaya hii. Nani alijua kuwa waziri Lion na mama Jena ati Kahame wangevuana nguo hadharani!

Huu ulaji wa dezo una mambo. Yaani waume zao walikula kaya hadi wengine wakawa wanajipaka piko kuficha mvi ili waendelee kutula hadi tukawastukia.

Walipoacha wakawaacha wake zao nao waendelee kutula hadi sasa wameanza kulana! Jamaa yangu hupenda kuziita nafasi hizi za nguo za ndani sawa na zile wanazotoleana roho kina Mpimbi na Mapepe.

Sisi tunazidi kuwaombea mbomoane. Maana ugomvi wa kunguru neema ya nzige. Adui yako muombee njaa. Nasi tunawaombea nakama. Muendelee kuvuana nguo hadharani hata kutiana midole. Bado Annae Fisadi Abidullah na vitisho vyake uchwara.

Ajabu la mwisho, ajabu jingine ni waziri Bill Ngereza kukiingiza kijiwe cha Idodomya mkenge kwa kushindwa kuwataja wezi wanaomilki mgodi wa makaa ya mawe wa Kiwila. Hivi tutaendelea kugeuzana mabwege hadi lini bila kuchenjiana?

Ajabu funga kazi, ni kufungishwa virago kwa rais Thabo Mvunyelwa Mbeki wa Bondeni baada ya chama chake kumuona analeta gozi gozi na kupakaziana. Nilitamani ingetokea Danganyika.

Wenzetu wa Bondeni usipotimiza matarajio yao wanaku-recall kama bidhaa mbovu. Je, na wana kaya watajifunza hili toka Bondeni? Nani anajua?

Kazi kwenu tia akilini.

Chanzo: Tanzania Daima Septemba 24, 2006.

Monday 22 September 2008

As Thabo Mbeki heroically exits




Though the political long and noble journey of Comrade Thabo Mvuyelwa Govan Mbeki may seem to have lapsed in a tragicomedy, chances are, just soon, we will remember him.

He exits without any participation let alone in economic corruption. What an ideal and exemplary leadership!

He did not stage any fight when ANC called shots as to "recall" him back as if he was unwanted material. The sage has it. Whoever live by sword he will die by it. Ours is to patiently wait and see. How many kit and caboodle of swindlers and freebooters Africa does have that need to be recalled? Sadly they have hijacked Africa and her people. The sage has it, the good ones never live longer as in the case in point.

Mbeki's journal is nobly over. Jacob Zuma's uphill one is commencing. Will he deliver? Time will surely tell.

Mbeki goes with a legacy. He believed in what he believed in especially democracy and liberation.

Differently from other African Potentates like Yoweri Museveni, Paulo Kagame, Theodore Nguema, Meles Zenawi,, Robert Mugabe, Omar Bashir, Omar Albert Bongo, Hosni Mubarak, Denis Sassou Ngweso, Yahya Jammeh, Muamar Gadaffi, you name it, Mbeki did not live in phantasmagoria and bulimia.


Go Mbeki go. Fare thee well for the job fare-thee-well done. You had a vision-cum-mission despite being foiled and recalled.

You have ushered in a new dawn for Africa in that country should come first and party last.

You answered the call nobly and open minded and hearted. Go doyen go. Never say anything. God himself will speak one day.

Africa thieves we call presidents that hide behind rotten-party politics have to take a note.

You were a lion of a man Mbeki. But never turn back. The world will speak itself on your behalf. Go join Nelson Mandela, Kenneth Kaunda, Joachim Chissano, Ali Hassan Mwinyi and others whose legacies shine. Step aside and look on. Time will come when the side stone that builders rebuffed will be the best of all stones.

The man is the one that stands alone.
Cry not Mbeki. For your legacy will for ever defend you as it speak for you. Cry not. For you are not leaving in shame like Benjamin Mkapa, Bakili Muluzi, Fredrick Chiluba and other hyena like mumbo jumbos. You have left as clean as when you stood to fight apartheid. What a noble exit!

Go Mbeki. But one thing is eminent. Rest assured. For what forced you out is nothing but opening Pandora's box. What even pains a lot is the fact that your shoes are so big that those day dreaming can step into them will soon find how wrong they are.Is Mbeki’s exit opening of Pandora’s box? Will this be like Gorbachev’s kaput perestroika for ANC as pro-white parties eye the state?



Nkwazi Mhango


Je Kikwete ametimiza matarajio huku muda ukiyoyoma?

Wiki ziliyopita tuliangalia jinsi ziara za mara kwa mara nje ya nchi za rais Jakaya Kikwete zilivyo hasara na balaa kwa taifa.

Wiki hii tunajadili balaa jingine kuhusiana na Kikwete hasa unapokuja mstakabali wa taifa. Hatufanyi hivi kwa kumchukia bali kumpenda. Maana kumekuwapo na madai uchwara kuwa vyombo vya habari vinavyomkosoa vinatumwa na wabaya wake kufanya hivi. Huenda vipo vinavyotumwa. Lakini siyo safu wala gazeti hili. Kinachotusukuma kutoa mchango wetu kwa Kikwete ni kutaka wananchi wetu waishi maisha waliyoahidiwa naye. Basi.


Hakuna ubishi: rais Kikwete tangu aingie madarakani hajakidhi matarajio ya watanzania ukiachia mbali ahadi alizozitoa kwa hiari yake mwenyewe.

Ni miaka takriban mitatu tangu ‘achaguliwe’ kwa kishindo cha Tsumani ambacho kinaanza kugeuka Tsumani kweli hasa kimadhaa.

Wakati wa kampeni, hata baada ya kutawazwa, Watanzania walionyesha kuwa na matumaini makubwa naye. Taratibu, mambo yalianza kuchacha. Aliyedhaniwa ndiye akawa siye! Alipounda serikali yake mabaka na mabaki ya Benjamin Mkapa (rais wa awamu ya tatu), watu wakaanza kujua kilichokuwa nyuma ya pazia. Walianza kuelewa. Kipya kinyemi japo kidonda.


Mara maneno yakaanza kusikika: Msanii, Fisadi, Chekacheka na mengine mengi. Bahati mbaya naye aliridhika na utani huu ingawa unabeba ukweli. Hakujibu wala haonyeshi nia ya kufanya hivyo! Je anajua madhara yake kwa utawala wake huko tuendako?

Katika kuwatathimini watawala wazuri na wabaya kuna dhana nyingi. Tunasema watawala. Kwa sababu siku hizi Afrika haina viongozi. Walikwishatoweka. Na hatujui kama watarejea.

Katika kuelezea aina za watawala, wachambuzi tuna aina nyingi mojawapo zikiwa, wenye masikio makubwa na midomo midogo. Hawa ndiyo wanaotufaa. Husema machache na kutenda mengi. Hawa ni nadra kuwapata katika kizazi cha sasa cha rushwa na ubabaishaji.

Wapo wenye midomo mikubwa na masikio madogo. Hawa ni wengi. Hawa hawafai. Ni waongo na waropokaji. Kama MC, wanaweza kusema lolote bila kuchelea matokeo ya maneno yao. Wanaweza kuwaahidi watu asali wakawapa usaha na shubiri. Wanaweza kuahidi pepo wakatoa jehanamu. Wapo. Na ni wengi kweli kweli. Wapo kila nchi, wizara, mkoa, wilaya na kijiji.

Hawa kama matapeli wamewaumiza wengi. Tofauti na matapeli ambao huumiza watu binafsi, hawa wameumiza mataifa.

Kuna kundi la tatu ambalo ni matokeo ya jicho langu. Hawa ni wale wenye midomo mikubwa lakini bila masikio. Hawa ni wengi kadhalika.

Je Kikwete ndugu msomaji unamuweka kwenye kundi gani? Yapo makundi matatu. Lile linalofaa; lisilofaa na hatari kabisa. Yaani la mwisho katika darasa la leo.

Ili kukupa picha kamili ngoja tutoe mfano mwingine. Jamaa mmoja mjivuni alikwenda hospitalini akiwa amefungwa kamba mkono mmoja huku mwingine ukiwa umevishwa glovu. Waliomuona walimshangaa wasijue alichokuwa akikitaka na kukimaanisha!

Alipofika alianza kuwatandika makonde wagonjwa! Baada ya kumaliza alianza kujisifu yu bingwa wa masumbwi duniani! Wenye akili walihoji. Ubingwa gani wa kushindana na wagonjwa? Leo utasikia watu wasio fikiria wakiimba amani amani na mshikamano. Je kweli Tanzania inavyo vitu hivi au ni kujilisha pepo? Tungekuwa na mshikamano tusingeibiana. Rejea ujambazi wa EPA na Richmond.

Turejee kwa Kikwete na kichwa cha mada. Je tangu aingie madarakani yapata miaka mitatu amefanya nini unaloweza kujivunia kama mpiga kura na mtanzania? Je ametimiza matarajio yako au amenoa kwa kiasi gani? Je huko tuendako anaonekana kuweza kuidhi au kuzidi kuyapoteza?

Mengi yameishaandikwa na kusemwa juu ya utawala wa Kikwete. Ingawa Kikwete amekuwa mgumu kidogo wa kubadilika, kuna haja ya watanzania kutoshika tama na kukata tamaa. Kuna haja ya kubadili mbinu za kuhakikisha wanapata kile tulichochagua. Hawakumchagua Kikwete kwa kumpenda kama Kikwete. Walichagua ahadi zake na sera zake ambavyo, kwa bahati mbaya, ameshindwa kuvitekeleza. Yeye bila kutimiza ahadi ni sawa na hayupo. Anatengeneza ombwe. Ni jambo la hatari kwa utawala wake hasa kama watanzania wataonyesha hasira zao kwenye uchaguzi ujao. Wana kila sababu ya kufanya hivyo iwapo Kikwete hatabadilika. Amewaangusha na kujiangusha.

Wapo wanaosema: amewakumbatia mafisadi huku akiwatosa wananchi. Rejea kutoshughulikiwa kwa mafisadi wa Richmond na EPA bila kusahau kumpa ulinzi rais wa zamani Benjamin Mkapa, familia na marafiki zake kinyume na utashi wa watanzania.

Pia rejea kutoa msamaha kwa mafisadi alikokutangaza hivi karibuni alipokuwa akihutubia bunge, Agosti 21, ambapo alitoa siku 71! Kwanini asingoje mahakama zikatimiza wajibu wake ndipo aingilie kisheria badala ya kuvunja sheria? Je haraka hii ni ya nini kama hana maslahi katika kadhia nzima? Maswali ni mengi.

Rejea kuendelea kuwa kimya juu ya kurejeshwa kwa mgodi wa machimbo ya makaa ya mawe ya Kiwira uliotwaliwa na Mkapa na familia yake.



Rejea kupewa orodha ya wauza mihadarati kama alivyowahi kukiri Kikwete na asiifanyie kazi. Anangoja nini? Nani anajua? Je hawa ni akina nani kwake? Nani anajua? Ataanza kuwashughulikia lini? Kadhalika hakuna ajuaye isipokuwa yeye.

Kikwete hata hivyo anao muda wa kujirekebisha. Ukichukulia na uvumilivu na ustaarabu wa watanzania ambao mara nyingi watawala wamekuwa wakiuona kama woga, kama hatafanya hivyo huko tuendako anaweza kujikuta matatani.

Maana watanzania, kama wakenya, wameanza kubadilika taratibu. Rejea kwa mfano tukio la hivi karibuni huko Matemange mkoani Ruvuma ambapo wananchi wenye hasira waliozoea kuwaua vibaka walimuua polisi baada ya kumtuhumu kumuua ndugu yao.

Reja tukio la mwanzoni mwa mwakani mkoani Tabora ambapo wananchi walichoma nyumba za viongozi wa kijiji waliotuhumiwa kujihusisha na ufisadi.

Je hali kama itaendelea hivi na Kikwete akaendelea kung’ang’ania marafiki na washirika zake bila kubadilika, huko tuendako ni salama? Je kwa kumchagua hatujajitia hasara na kwenye matatizo?

Sasa ndiyo wakati wa Kikwete kuanza kutekeleza ahadi zake alizotoa bila kulazimishwa. Muhimu apambane na ufisadi badala ya kuuacha uanze kugeuka sehemu ya serikali yake.
Chanzo: Dira ya Tanzania Septemba 23, 2008.

Wednesday 17 September 2008

Leadership: Lessons from Canada

Those who genuinely struggle to pull Africa out of its vicious cycle of poverty experience great headache occasioned by African leaders. However, there are some places where some noble people in power are doing the right things as opposed to Africa’s predators.

I’m bringing a leader out of Africa. This is none other than Danny Williams, premier of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada.This leader has proved to be totally off hook when it comes to money maniac. While Africa is groping with deadly and groggy thieves; his Province is safe in his hands.

While the rulers and their wives are plundering their citizens in Africa,Williams has a different mindset and take. Since taking office in October 2003, Williams has built a reputation as a politician who is never afraid to battle Ottawa, championing the Province's fight over fiscal balance and equalization as he dishes out his money for the sake of the province. This stance has oft-disturbed his boss, Stephen Harper, Canadian Premier so as to be seen as two bulls fighting over power.

Paul Martin, former Canadian Premier found out how tough Williams could be when he was Prime Minister.This junior premier ordered Canadian flags lowered because of a dispute over offshore royalties. Stephen Harper's relationship with Williams has also been trying, as the two men sparred over royalties from the oil industry. Williams called Harper a "buddy of big oil."

This millionaire Premier whose fortunes are smaller than those of Mwai Kibaki, Moi’s and his children even of Uhuru Kenyatta recently was in hot soup after being accused by a mere junior police officer for talking on his phone while on the wheel contrary to the law of his Province. He admitted the wrong and things were straightened up. What an ideal behaviour! If it were in Tanzania, Kenya or Uganda, what would have become of the junior officer? Wouldn’t this be asking for trouble?

To know how murky the situation is in Africa, Kenyan thieves behind Goldenberg and Anglo-leasing marriage of convenience and Richmond and EPA scams in Tanzania, are off the hook, thanks to their connectivity and commonality with the current regimes there.


Back on Williams, when he was elected with a large Progressive Conservative majority in 2003, he openly told the public that he was not in politics for money. As Opposition leader, the millionaire lawyer donated his legislative salary to charity and promised during the provincial election campaigns to do the same with his pay cheque. Who can do this in Africa?

What makes Williams a creature of another world for Africa is the fact that those thieves we have in power are even richer than him. But still they are stealing.

Williams is a Rhodes Scholar and high-profile St. John's lawyer. He made millions in the sale of the region's cable-TV utility to Rogers Communications. His success in business earned him a nickname in the legislature: "Danny Millions." He was still in law school when he led a group of business people seeking the first cable television license in Newfoundland and Labrador. He grew the company into one of Atlantic Canada's largest communications companies, before selling it for $282 million prior to getting into politics.

It didn't take long for Williams to make a splash on the federal scene after becoming premier. Williams was furious that Martin made election promises in June 2004 to give Newfoundland and Labrador royalties from offshore oil developments, then backtracked at a First Ministers' meeting in Ottawa. So he stormed out of the meeting. "Our pride can't be bought…. We won't say yes to less," Williams told reporters in October 2004. "We had a commitment and (the Prime Minister) has broken that commitment."

Thereafter Williams pulled down Canadian flags from provincial buildings during talks to give Newfoundland full protection against equalization claw backs on offshore royalties. A month later, the flags went back up and a deal was made.

Harper's government hasn't found it any easier dealing with Williams, who has criticized the Conservative government for refusing to support the province's push for higher royalties from the oil industry.

And when the federal government announced it would cut money from social programs to save money, Williams said Harper doesn't reflect Newfoundland and Labrador's "red Tory" leanings.

In 2006, the province was hit by an audit scandal that revealed allegations of misuse of public money linked to representatives of all three parties.Sparking the scandal were Auditor General John Noseworthy's investigations into spending at the house of assembly. The report found four politicians misused approximately $1 million from their constituency allowances- peanuts compared to millions swindled in poor African countries among which Tanzania’s government forwent 133 million dollars!

In June 2006, Williams announced that Ed Byrne, a senior member of his party, would step aside as natural resources minister while the audit into financial matters at the legislature continued. Can Mwai Kibaki, Jakaya Kikwete or Yoweri Museveni do this when it comes to their close friends?

Williams has excelled in business as well as law. He was involved in the province's offshore resources industry through an oil-and-gas supply and services company, and has been formally recognized for his entrepreneurial success and charitable works.

The story of Williams speaks volumes. If one is accountable and with probity, he can play a great role in politics despite being a millionaire. Who in Africa is cut this way? It is time our leaders borrow a leaf from Danny Williams.
Source: The African Executive Magazine, September 17, 2008.

Nitaandamana kugoma na kuzira chakula

KWANZA niwape habari njema zisizo njema. Siku hizi nimepata kibarua cha kuandika umbea kwenye gazeti letu la Mawazo.

Baada ya kudaka kazi hii ya kujidai ilikuwa furaha si kawaida. Mama Ndiza wangu aliangusha bonge la pilau kusherehekea mumewe kupata kazi ya heshima na jina.

Niwaonye. Mimi si kanjanja kama wale wanaojipendekeza kwa jamaa na mafisadi wenzake kwa kuhongwa vyeo uchwara visivyo na heshima kwa jamii. Mie ni Kidume jeuri kama kawa.

Baada ya kuanza kibarua ngwengwe cha kuandika umbea, nilijiona nimeula nisijue nimeliwa! Kwanza malipo yalikuwa ni kwa manati ukiachia mbali kuwa mchinjo ile mbaya. Hayo tuyaache.

Baada ya Nistori Nguru aliwaye na wakubwa kutangaza: wafanyakazi, sorry, wafanywa kazi za kipunda wangegoma, nilikuwa wa kwanza kutia nia kufanya kweli. Eti linasema lilikunwa na hotuba uchwara ya mkuu! Furaha yenu ni mauti yetu. Amekukuna wewe si sisi wafanywa kazi. Acha usanii kwenye maisha yetu na vizazi vyetu. Acha kunyonya na kunywa jasho na damu zetu.

Nakumbuka. Ilikuwa tarehe, ohoo! Nimeisahau! Hilo si ‘big deal’. Baada ya kujua tarehe ya mgomo wa wafanya kazi kaya nzima, nilijiandaa kuingia kivyangu vyangu ili kieleweke.

Nilikwenda chombingo nikakata mzinga wa pombe kubwa. Kwa vile mie ni bingwa wa ngonjera kama Cheka cheka, nilimkopa Mama Ngenge muuza ulabu na kupata tani yangu. Tangu ajue mimi ni paparazzi, ananigwaya kama ndata! Akileta gozi gozi namlipua kwenye pepa na biashara yake ndiyo bye.

Baada ya kutoka kwa mama Ngenge wa Ngwengwe nilikwenda kwa mama Ndiza wangu. Nilikwisha kuutwika. Sikumkopesha. Nilitangaza siku ya mgomo na maandamano kupinga wafanywa kazi kudhalilishwa na kunyonywa na makupe watu wenye siri kali ya kuwaumiza wenzao.

Nilipanga kugoma kwenda ofisini. Pia niliazimia kutofanya kazi yoyote isipokuwa kazi ya kugoma na kuandamana. Hata ningekuwa peke yangu. Siku hiyo nitasusa kazi zote kuanzia umbea hadi zile za usiku na mshirika wangu. We koma we!

Nikiwa na msigara wangu mkubwa, si bangi kumbuka. Nilizidi kujaza mafuta ili nitoe nishai tayari kufanya kweli.

Kwanza nilimtwangia simu bosi uchwara wangu mwenye jina kama kijumba kidogo. Nilimpa laivu kuwa nimetangaza mgomo baada ya kuona Nguru analeta gozi gozi na longolongo. Alidhani sijui kuwa amekatiwa na Chekacheka ili awatwishe mkenge wavuja jasho wa kaya. Mie siyo bwege kama yeye wala wao.

Lazima nifanye kweli. Ohooo! Patachimbika bila jembe na patakuwa hapatoshi. Na huu siyo utani wala usanii kama wao.

Nitachukua pyolilo yangu mdomoni huku sigara kubwa ikitoa moshi kama treni. Huyo nitaanza safari kuelekea Ikulu kumuona mheshimiwa.

Kabla ya kuondoka, nilikumbuka. Kuna wastaafu wa jumuiya mfu ya Afrika Mashaka waliotwishwa mkenge kwa miaka 31. Nitataka nao washirikiane nami kuwakomesha wanyonyaji wa jasho letu.

Pia nakumbuka. Kuna wajawazito wanaofanya kazi ya kuongeza idadi ya wana kaya lakini wanaonewa na manesi uchwara pale Anama, Mwanamanyala, Tekeme na kwingineko. Nao nilitaka waandamane na kugoma hata kuzaa ili tuone nani mjanja.

Pia nawakumbuka wale wazee wa mituringa wanaosafiri bure huku wenye magari wakilalamika. Nitataka waandamane kudai wanunuliwe mashangingi kama wabunge. Wanalinda taifa wakati wanaojiita wakubwa wakati ni wa hovyo ni wezi wanaotuuza kama wale wa Richmond na WEPA.

Katika kusukuti nilikuta wana kaya ni woga sana. Hivyo nimeamua kugoma na kuandamana peke yangu.

Kabla ya kuanza safari ya kuelekea Ikulu, nitaandaa hoja zangu.

Mosi, wezi wote wa WEPA na Richmond wapewe nishani za uzalendo na ushujaa na wake zao huku watoto wao wakiajiriwa kwenye taasisi zote nyeti. Kisa? Wanajenga kaya kwa kuwa na ukwasi wa kutisha ukiachia mbali kuchangia ufanisi na ushindi wa kiayama.

Pili, wafanyakazi wote kuanzia wa ndani hadi wa nje walipwe mshahara sawa bila kujali huyu ni daktari, polisi, mbunge wala rais. Kima cha chini kiwe shilingi milioni saba. Zitapatikana wapi? Kaya ina madini mengi kiasi cha kuuza kwa tani.

Hapa hatujaongelea mbuga za wadudu na wanyama zinazochezewa na wanaoitwa wawekezaji wakati ni wachukuaji. Pia kaya ni tajiri kuweza kusamehe wizi kama wa WEPA na Richmond. Una habari hata Marekani haiwezi kusamehe dola milioni 133 ukiachia mbali zile tusizozijua?

Tatu, mawaziri wote waendeshe magari yao wenyewe na yawe ‘Beattle’ si mashangingi. Na hili liwe onyo. Kama wataendelea kulega lega, tuwatimue kazi nchi ijiendeshe yenyewe.

Nne, kama tutashindwa kutekeleza mapendekezo haya, tutafute mwekezaji tumuuzie kaya tugawane kila mtu apate zake akapige ulabu na sigara kubwa.

Tano, kuanzia sasa mkuu alipe kodi pamoja na mkewe huku akilipwa mshahara kima cha chini maana hajaonyesha kufanikiwa kwa kiasi cha juu. Kwanza, anafanya nini iwapo mafisadi wanazidi kutanua huku yeye akitanua ughaibuni? Au naye tumfute kazi nchi iendeshwe na sungu sungu.

Sita, wavuta bangi wote wateuliwe kuwa washauri ili ijulikane kuwa kaya sasa inaendeshwa na walevi kuliko machizi. Wakishaliweka wanatumia uwazi na ukweli. Maana ukiona watu wanaoitwa waheshimwa wanavyofanya mambo kibangi bangi, afadhali hata ya wavuta bangi. Maana hawana muda wa kuficha ficha.

Saba, wafungwa wote waliofungwa kwa wizi wa kuku, mikufu, pochi na vitu vidogo vidogo wapewe nishani na fidia na kuachiwa mara moja huku mafisadi wakinyongwa na wawekezaji wote wafukuzwe kayani: wameshindwa kuleta maendeleo.

Nane, ofisi zote za kaya zigeuzwa mabaa na madangulo ili uchangudoa na ulevi uliojificha kwenye ufisadi ukose soko. Shule na vyuo vyote vifungwe na kugeuzwa super markets. Maana kila siku vinazalisha wasomi lakini wezi na woga.

Bangi, ukabaji, ubakaji, uongo, gongo na uzururaji vihalalishwe. Mbona akina nonihino wanalewa mamlaka na hawapigwi marufuku? Mbona mafisadi wanaikaba kaya na kuibaka na hawafungwi?

Kusema ukweli liwe kosa la jinai na mwenye kulitenda anyongwe. Hapa tutaweza kuwakomesha akina Nipe Mapepe wa Naweye. Hamkuona alivyonyolewa bila maji?

Hoja zillikuwa nyingi kiasi cha kuweza kujaa gunia. Tufupishe stori.

Baaada ya kuhakikisha hoja zangu nimeziandika kwenye bango kuuubwa nitanza kupiga mkuu kuelekea kwenyewe.

Kwanza nitapita kwenye ofisi ya Nguru niibonde mimawe huku nikimwaga mitusi yote niijuayo. Pili nitapitia kwenye ofisi yangu niwachambe wanaosalitiana wakitenda ufisadi huku wakijidai wanaupiga vita. Makanjanja wote kuanzia wa pale hadi Ikulu watanikoma siku hiyo. Nitachukua pili pili ili kama ndata watajitokeza kunikwaza niwamwagie niwaache wakilia.

Mwisho sitakuwa na msalie wala usuhuba na mafisadi. Nitakumbushia kesi zote za ufisadi kuanzia Richmond, WEPA, TICTS, IPTL, ANBEN, Fosnik, Kiwira mine, Meremeta, Deep Green Finance, MAWA, EOTF, rada na ndege mkangafu ya jamaa.

Nitamkaribisha Mapepe Nipe wa Mawe aje tuwakabili akina Richmond na vijisenti bila kukisahau.


Chanzo: Tanzania Daima Septemba 17, 2008.

Tuesday 16 September 2008

When will CCM come of age?

SHOCKED and flabbergasted, I read the story that Andrew Chenge a.k.a. Vijesenti, a former cabinet minister expelled for allegedly being involved in mega corruption was appointed by Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) to probe the highly disputed UVCCM project.

It’s too bad of CCM and Chenge altogether. I cannot get enough of this.What is so special for CCM to act in two shakes whilst it sits on mega scams such as Richmond, EPA, TICTS, IPTL, Dowans, Meremeta and such? Is it because the money said to be swindled belongs to the party not the hoi polloi it has ignored for long?

When will individuals behind the disputed Kiwira coal mine be named as the Parliament was promised by the minister for energy and minerals? Isn?t this a pressing and an important matter for CCM? It still tantalizes me. How can one put lipstick on a pig and say it isn’t one as Barrack Obama America’s presidential aspirant would put it in facing the thing head on?

I just can’t understand the logic and motive behind this gimmick like stance. How can I, if the same person falls short of coming clean on allegations that he stashed over a million bucks in the off-shore banks in Jersey UK? Who’ll trust those who appointed him if at all they have never brought the guy to book, let alone squeezing him to bring back our money?


Who is fooling who in this abracadabra really? Doesn’t CCM really know the guy is a friend of some of the suspects in the deal? What justice can such a person do to Nape Nnauye that has already been lampooned for telling the naked truth? Will he be given two bites at the cherry really? Isn’t this buying time so as to vilify the boy even a lot more? Does Nape know this, especially the waters he is swimming?

There were some politicians in the past who faced the same situation and had the same expectations. What became of them?

To jog Nape’s mind a lot more, he’s to recall what befell another youthful politician when she aimed higher than those guys wanted her to.

What is CCM trying to look for, if everything, is clear and open that there are abnormalities in the so-called contracts to swindle vijana. Why doesn’t CCM want to face the reality that Nape’s allegations are not far-fetched as one may goof? Why expel the boy instead of suing him for defamation? Is this a purposeful move to intimidate, disqualify or gag the boy and get away with it? Is the number of villains behind this crime bigger than Nape mentioned?

What are Yusuf Makamba and Kingunge Ngombale Mwiru putting themselves on the line for and why if they have no stake in the same?

To jog your mind, let me bring the whole big picture to you. It was alleged by Nape Nnauye that the project involving UVCCM’s construction of one of its building smells, thanks to kickbacks. Nape did not mince words. He pointed a finger at Edward Lowassa, the former premier who was forced to resign for his role in the Richmond scam that saw the nation burning billions of shillings for doing nothing.

Another person implicated is the out-going chairman of the UVCCM, Emanuel Nchimbi. After this grimier reality came to light, CCM Secretary General Makamba summoned Nape. He humiliated the boy to the maximum. Good. The boy did not hit back. Things did not end up there. The UVCCM’s top organs sat and decided to show Nape the door.

After UVCCM pulled a plug on Nape, some bigwigs including Jakaya Kikwete (Chairman-cum- president), former PMs, Joseph Warioba, Cleopa Msuya and Fredrick Sumaye did not subscribe to this. They allowed the boy to ’appeal’ even though many still worry if justice is to be seen being done especially when controversial figures including ’Vijesenti’ were appointed to look into the matter.

The thing is, are these creatures clean enough to do justice they’ve been fighting to foil and suffocate after being implicated? Is this the ’mizengwe’ at work the ruling party has been accused of? I can’t just make it out. If anything, it is too good to be true and much is left to be seen shall we face it point blank.

Is it fair for a camel to condemn the cow for possessing a hump? Come on folks, Chenge, as an AG under Benjamin Mkapa, as it is said, gave such unethical and unprofessional advice that saw our country ushering in loss making outfits, prominent ones being Richmond and TICTS.Where will such a person scoop patriotism and new true love for the same ship he has already wrecked? Which miracles will CCM apply to make such elements be born again in the first place?

This sage reminds me of the tale of a merry-andrew that searched his pockets when he lost his bull thinking it was there. In such circumstances Jesus would ask: You Galatians who bewitched you?

As for Chenge, even if those who appointed him have trust in him, I beg to differ and distance myself. He’s not clean enough to do what he was appointed to do. If anything, there is only one thing he fits to do. To probe witchcraft related deeds in the House.
By the way, when will CCM come of age and do away with ’mizengwe’ and other hanky panky? What a defining moment for hoi polloi to differentiate chaffs from seeds! Will Nape turn CCM on its head?
Source: Thisday September 16, 2008.

CCM, Nape, Lowassa na siasa chafu za kulindana

Hakuna uzembe uliofanywa na Chama Cha Mapinduzi kama baadhi ya maamuzi yake tata na ya kuchukiza.

Uamuzi utakaoigharimu wa hivi karibuni ni ule wa baraza la umoja wa vijana wa CCM kumvua uanachama Nape Nnauye. Ingawa bado ni mapema kutabiri, kuna kila uwezekano kuwa maamuzi mengi ya CCM likiwemo na hili unazidi kuianika kwa wananchi kiasi cha kuichoka na kuichukia.

Angalia Nape anavyozidi kuichanganya na kuigawanya CCM. Vigogo wake akiwamo rais Jakaya Kikwete wameishaanza kumuunga mkono dhidi ya vigogo wenzao kama katibu mkuu wa CCM, Yusuf Makamba, Edward Lowassa na Emanuel Nchimbi ambao wanalalia upande wa ufisadi kulingana na tuhuma alizotoa Nape.

Hakuna ubishi kuwa mradi wa ujenzi wa jengo la umoja wa vijana una kila harufu ya rushwa. Kwa watu wanaochukia ufisadi, kilichopaswa kufanyika siyo ‘kumshughulikia’ na kumpatiliza mtoa shutuma bali shutuma zenyewe.

Ila kwa vile shutuma alizotoa Nnauye zinawahusu wateule wasioguswa wa chama kama Lowassa,Nchimbi na wengine , hili halikufanyika na saa nyingine halitafanyika. Litafanyikaje iwapo chumo litokanalo na jinai hili linaishia kwenye mitandao tawala ndani ya chama? Rejea kuchunguzwa kwa mawaziri Nazir Karamagi na Ibrahim Msabaha huku mhusika mkuu Lowassa akiachwa baada ya ‘kusafishwa’ na kamati kuu ya Chama chini ya uenyekiti wa rais Jakaya Kikwete. Rejea kutoshitakiwa kwa wezi wa EPA na Richmond. Rejea serikali kupokea pesa kinyume cha sheria.

Kama serikali na CCM visingekuwa taasisi fisadi, hakika Lowassa na wenzake wangekuwa gerezani huku wakiwa hawana hata chembe ya nyadhifa. Kuonyesha CCM na serikali yake vilivyo hatari, Lowassa bado eti analipwa mafao ya kustaafu. Je Lowassa anastahiki kulipwa mafao haya? Je Lowassa alistaafu au alifukuzwa?

Kwa watu waliojua jinsi katibu mkuu wa CCM, Makamba alivyomkaripia na kumdhalilisha Nnauye, walijua hatima yake bila shaka. Je kwa namna hii CCM inajijenga au inajibomoa? Je wananchi wanaonaje na kuchukuliaje jinai hizi? Je hili ni onyo kwa yeyote anayejua ufisadi unaowahusisha wateule kuwa atapatilizwa kama ilivyotokea kwa Nnauye? Je huu siyo unafiki wa wazi unaopingana na dhamira ya maneno ya rais Kikwete hata katibu mkuu wa CCM Makamba kuwa wenye ushahidi dhidi ya mafisadi wawapelekee?

Nani atapeleka ushahidi iwapo anajua fika utatumika kummaliza badala ya tatizo? Christopher Mtikila analijua hili fika. Alipomtuhumu waziri mkuu wa zamani Fredrick Sumaye kujilimbikizia utajiri utokanao na kuubia umma, alianza kuandamwa na Takukuru!

Kuonyesha kuwa mchezo huu wa kupatilizana na kulinda mafisadi na uchafu kwa CCM haukuanza jana, rejea jinsi katibu mkuu wa zamani wa CCM Horace Kolimba alivyokolimbwa baada ya kudai chama kimepoteza mwelekeo.

Unaweza kurejea pia kwenye sakata la EPA na Richmond ambapo Dr. Willbroad Slaa ameundiwa kila kashfa na mizengwe. Kisa? Kufichua ufisadi kwenye list of shame ambamo hata rais Kikwete mwenye anahusishwa na hajawahi kukanusha.

Je mpaka hapa CCM bado ni chama cha kumkomboa mtanzania au kumzamisha? Je mpaka hapa mafisadi hawajawa na ubia kwenye serikali na chama? Wana propaganda uchwara wa chama na serikali wanaweza kupinga vikali shutuma hizi. Lakini matendo yao yanasema kwa kinywa kipana kuliko ghilba zao. Je huu ni mwanzo wa mwisho wa CCM?

Tukimuangalia Nape na ujana wake, kufukuzwa kwenye umoja wa vijana ni onyo kuwa ama anyamaze apotee kisiasa au aendeleze mapambano wamkolimbe. Je Nape atangoja hili iwapo ana mifano safi kama ule wa Kolimba? Ingawa Nape kalelewa ndani ya chama na kwa pesa ya chama, anapaswa kung’amua kuwa chama cha sasa na kile cha nyakati za baba yake ni tofauti. Wakati ule chini ya Mwalimu Nyerere chama kilikuwa chama kweli na siyo kiama kama sasa. Kilikuwa na mwelekeo lengo na ithibati ya kuwakomboa watanzania.

Lakini baada ya Nyerere kuondoka na kila kitu cha maana ndani ya chama kiliondoka. Rejea kufa kwa Nyerere akilalamika kuwa chama chake kimetwaliwa na wafanyabiashara wachafu kama akina Jeetu Patel na wengine wengi ambao wamefikia hata kuwapenyeza watoto wao kuwa wabunge ili kulinda uchafu wao. Rejea chama kilivyomsafisha Lowassa huku kikimsifia rais mstaafu Benjamin Mkapa na mkewe wakati walitenda makosa tena makubwa kwa uchumi wa taifa.

Rejea kutajwa moja kwa moja kwa CCM kwenye wizi wa EPA na ujambazi wa Richmond. Rejea CCM kushindwa kutoa maelezo ilipopata pesa ya kuhonga kwenye uchaguzi ulioiingiza serikali ya sasa madarakani.

Nape kama kweli ana uchungu na nchi hii, anapaswa kutafuta chama kingine cha upinzani na kujiunga nacho. Vinginevyo anazidi kuhatarisha maisha yake. Wezi anaopambana nao hawana huruma. Ni wanyama kuliko wanyama.

Inapaswa Nape ajue. Kama anafukuzwa na kukaliwa vikao yeye badala ya watuhumiwa wenyewe anangoja haki itendeke wapi na vipi ndani ya chama ambacho kilikwisha kujitofautisha na uwajibikaji na uongozi bora?

Leo mguse mtu kama Mkapa na Mkewe kuhusiana na uchafu wao wakiwa madarakani. Utaundiwa kila mizengwe na kupatilizwa. Ukimgusa na kubakia wewe sharti uwe nje ya chama. Rejea anavyoandamwa mbunge wa Vunjo aliyevalia njuga uchafu wa Mkapa na mkewe na marafiki. Rejea waziri wa nishati na madini na waziri mkuu Mizengwe Pinda kushindwa kutangaza wamilki wa Kiwira inayodaiwa kutwaliwa na Mkapa kama walivyokuwa wameliahidi bunge. Wako tayari hata kuhatarisha nyadhifa zao ilmradi wasimguse Mkapa!

CCM kwa sasa ina wenyewe na wenyewe wanajulikana hasa unapoangalia serikali yake inavyoshughulikia ufisadi kwa kutoa hata misamaha kwa mafisadi.

Juzi juzi kulikuwa na tuhuma kuwa mtuhumiwa mkuu ambaye si mwanasiasa kwenye wizi wa EPA marehemu Daudi Ballali aliuawa. Nani amejihangaisha na kuchunguza iwapo wajanja wenye madaraka waliishamtumia kuuibia umma wakimuacha mchafu na marehemu?

Kuepuka kupoteza muda mwingi, ni kwamba Nape kapewa onyo. Kama ataendelea kung’ang’ania chama kilichokwisha kumchosha, yatakayomkuta huko tuendako asilaumu.

Kwenye mmomonyoko huu wa maadili na utu, Nape na wenye mawazo kama yeye wasitegemee kukibadili chama. Sana sana chama kitawabadili na watajikuta kwenye hali wasiyoweza hata kutikisa kope za macho. Nape waachie chama akina Nchimbi na Lowassa waliothibitisha kuwa wateule na maswahiba wa wakubwa wenye kunuka kama wao.

Tafuta chama chenye maana uendelee na mapambano badala ya kuyatafuta ya kuyatafuta. Jiunge na chama kingine na utumie kesi yako kama fimbo kwa waliokukataa. Wewe si wa kwanza. Dr. Slaa ni mfano wa kuigwa katika mazingira ya siasa chafu na nyemelezi kama zilizokukumba.

Wakati ukitafakari la kufanya, jirejeshe kwa yaliyomkuta Amina Chifupa alipotaka kugombea cheo ulichokuwa ukitaka kugombea asijue kina wenyewe.

Hakika CCM imeanza kujichimbia kaburi bila kujua.
Chanzo: Dira ya Tanzania Septemba 16, 2008.

Wednesday 10 September 2008

Kudos Ernest Bai Koroma and Ida Odinga




President Ernest Bai Koroma
Last year I wrote an article entitled ‘Taming First ladies.’ My aim was to slam on wives of the bigwigs in the upper echelons of power in Africa that steal from the hoi polloi. This, itself, is corruption that is sinking Africa to penury.

This September witnessed two rare, chivalric and exemplary events. In the first event the president of Sierra Leone Ernest Bai Koroma declared his wealth as opposed to the stance many African freebooters in power take.

The first person to do so was Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania. This won him accolades the world over. But all went under when it came to light that he stole a lot of money from public coffers shortly before leaving office. This hypocrisy has haunted Mkapa so much that he lives under the shameful mercy of his successor, President Jakaya Kikwete.

The second African president to do this was Umaru Musa Yar'Adua of Nigeria in June 2007. This was his second time as a senior civil servant. He was said to have declared his assets in 1999 when he assumed office as Governor of Katsina state.

More on Koroma, It needs a very big heart and the courage of the mad to declare wealth especially in a corruption-laden continent like Africa. His exemplary take should not be turned into what became of Mkapa when he later left the office.

My second heroine this time is Ida Odinga, wife of the Prime Minister of Kenya, Raila Odinga. Ida refused a hefty amount of $ 6,000 monthly. Hear what she had to say on this: "The legacy I have built is not worth $6,000 (£3,000). I thank Mr. Muthaura for appreciating that there is a heavy responsibility that comes by virtue of my position. But I will not take the money."

We’re told the first lady; Lucy Kibaki does away with $ 8,000 monthly for doing nothing. How painful is this sacrilege committed by a country suffering from stasis thanks to bad governance and corruption! The looting does not end up here. The wife of the Vice-President, Pauline Musyoka, also enjoys this generous offer from the government. This typifies how African rulers are in power to serve themselves. This game is the demise of common Joes in the streets if we face it point blank.

Mrs Odinga’s brilliant and selfless take and love for the nation should be emulated by first ladies in Africa.Will they willingly do so? Citizens need to wake up and blot them shall Africans deserve to do away with this systemic rot and abject poverty she is in. Had this money been legal, all ministers’ spouses would be paid for sharing bedrooms with the high and mighty. Are they being paid covertly? Who knows?

In many African countries, the first ladies coupled by the second and third ladies, without any pittance, have calved their own illegal governments behind the curtains. There is a deep seated hatred towards them save that their spouses are using state organs to thwart and dispel it. This is systemic stinking corruption.

In Tanzania, the former first lady, Anna Mkapa is mentioned almost in every mega scandal involving stealing public money. She and her husband, formed a company known as ANBEN (The initials of Anna and Benjamin) whilst their son Nicholas emulated his parents by forming Fosnik (The initials of Nicholas and Foster his wife). Under their companies which they awarded the tenders of purchasing public utility prominent one being Kiwira Coal Mine based in Mbeya, they loaned much money from public institutions to buy public properties! For example, Mkapa and his family under phony Tanpower company ‘bought’ the said Kiwira at Tshs. 700,000,000 as opposed to it’s actually value of 4,000,000,000 as per 1980’s evaluation of the same.

Mrs Mkapa did not end up forming companies only. Under her controversial Non Governmental Organisation known as Equal Opportunity for All Trust (EOTF), she solicited a lot of money from controversial business people behind mega corruption scandals such as External Payments Arrears (EPA) account of the Bank of Tanzania (BoT), a prominent one being an Indian Jayant Kumal Patel alias Jeetul Patel who features high in this scandal. Some analysts have nicknamed EOTF as Economic Opportunity Trust for First Lady.
Stealing from the public coffers is sweet in Africa. Even the current first lady, Salma Kikwete, has followed suit. She currently runs her chicanery Wanawake na Maendeleo (WAMA) outfit or women and development from the State House.

Why should the wife of a president found an NGO after her husband ascends to power? Why has her love for women suddenly emerged after her spouse assuming the office? She is collecting non-audited money from whoever is ready to contribute regardless of his history! What pains and appalls in such a situation is the fact that these bigwigs cheat people they are in power for them. Since Mkapa left office, nobody is ready to contribute to his wife’s outfit.

Selfish and greedy as they are, they have reached the point in other countries to threaten people who want them before the court. They say such people are endangering peace and national unity! This, in Tanzania, has become the song for a shameless embattled Mkapa.

Going back to my heroes of today, Mrs Odinga has opened our eyes. We didn’t know that spouses of our corrupt rulers are also paid without any dockets. Kenyans must ensure that their money is not stolen under such pretext of paying the wives of their rulers. I know Kenyans can, thanks to their tenacity and audacity.
As for his Excellency Koroma, stay put as you toe the line that failed many pretenders and hypocrites as we have seen in Mkapa’s abracadabra. To the hoi polloi and wretched of the world, please do not fear to raise your voices to stop this gang rip-off by our rulers and their families.

Source: The African Executive Magazine September 10, 2008.

Naota naongea kama Mkuu!

HUWEZI kuamini niliota nikiwa rais tena wa nchi ya mawazo ya Tanzia.

Eti niliwaingiza mkenge Watanzia kwa kusamehe washirika wangu kwenye ulaji wa WEPA na kutimkia kwa Joji Kichaka ‘kujinoma’ na kutumbuizwa na marafiki zangu wa Boyz II Men. Mambo yalitibuliwa na shutuma za kutaka kuni-impeach ule mtindo wa Pakistan.

Nikiwa na Salama wangu tukila mikuku, mi-turkey (bukini) na mahanjumati, nilipata habari hii mbaya. Ingawa nimechukua tahadhari zote kuliepuka hili, wanoko wanazidi kunichimba.

Wanasema eti ule mdege wangu wa matanuzi ni wa bei mbaya na mkangafu! Eti uuzwe! Hawana adabu wana hizaya hawa.

Nimeliona hili kwenye ziara yangu kwa Joji Kichaka. Yeye ana Heir Fosi I. Mie nitakuwa na Heir fosi II. Mpo hapo wakosoaji? Watu wetu wapumbavu. Badala ya kujisifu wana dege la bei mbaya kuliko nchi zote barani waleta umbea na wivu wa kike!

Kuzidi kunichefua na kunichonganisha na watanzia eti wanadai na ile rada ya kulinda usalama wa taifa ni mkangafu. Waongo wakubwa. Bila rada ile hawajui nchi ingekuwa imeishavamiwa na maadui zake walioizunguka kila upande chini juu kushoto kulia nakadhalika?

Mie si akina Kikwekwe, sorry, Makapu bwana. Wao walinunua mrada huu kwa bei mbaya. Mie sinunui mwingine. Nanua betri.

Wapo wanaodai eti rada hii haiwezi kuona hata wingu inataka betri ya shilingi bilioni kumi? Eti wanadai ni kwa nini tusiweke betri za gari au hata za radio kuliko kuwaibia wachovu bure? Hata rada ingekuwa aihitaji betri lazima sisi tuhitaji hizo betri. Kwani tunakula mawe?

Mlinipa kula mkadhani ni kura. Sasa nakula nanyi mnaliwa mnaanza kupiga mikelele. Kwani nilijichagua? Kwani sikuwapa takrima? Hamuoni ninavyositasita kuwasulubu marafiki zangu katika ulaji mkuu wa EPA na Richmonduli?

Kama si wao na misheni zao mnazoita ufisadi mnadhani ningekuwa hapa nilipo nikifaidi na kufaidika? Shauri yenu. Mmeshikilia ‘yangu yangu’ kama vyura sisi tunatesa nanyi mkiteseka.

Juzi niliona umbea kwenye magazeti eti Tanzia ina mimali kibao hasa madini. Nyinyi yanawahusu nini? Nilisikia mimbea mingine ikidai nirejeshe yale machimbo ya makaa ya mawe yaliyokwanyuliwa na rafiki yangu Tunituni.

Ebo! Hivi mna akili kweli! Nyie tafuteni vitumbua. Mambo ya madini na makaa ya mawe hayawahusu. Nani ana jiko la kupikia mkaa wa mawe?

Kuna minoko inayonitaka nitangaze mali zangu na za Bi. Mkubwa. Hawa hawitakii Tanzia amani. Nani mjinga atangaze utajiri wake kabla ya NGO za Bi. Mkubwa kutiki?

Mwadhani mie juha na mvivu wa kufikiri kama nyinyi? Sitaji. Sifanyi upumbavu wa Tunituni aliyetawatajia mali zake halafu akakwapua na sasa mnamsulubu hadi mie nimpe tafu.

Wapo wanoko wanaotaka nipunguze au kuacha utalii nje ya nchi. Ama! Hivi hawa wana akili kweli? Nisipoizunguka dunia hii kama Christopher Columbus mnataka nifanye hivyo kaburini? Haachi ziara mtu hapa.

Hamjui nikikutana na washikaji wangu kama Joji Kichaka hadhi yangu na ya nchi inapanda kama alivyowahi kuwambia msemaji wangu aliyewageuka baada ya kumpa mabaki ya mapupu na jengelele.

Mna wivu wa kike nyie hata Bi. Mkubwa anawazidi anatengeneza njuruku kupitia mgongoni mwangu. Sifanyii biashara uchwara ikulu. Bi. Mkubwa ndiye anafanya hivyo.

Na anafanya waziwazi taka mistake. Ataogopa nini iwapo hamkumchagua wala hakuapa kuwatawala zaidi ya kuwala mgongoni mwangu?

Mimi si bwege kama Tunituni. Yeye aliwapigia kelele na kujisifu uongo na unafiki. Mie nakaa kimya. Hamjui simba mla nyama ni yule mkaa kimya kama mimi?

Kwanza mie ni bonge la mjanja kama yule rafiki yangu mtoto wa mjini aliyemdedisha mtu nikampa tafu hadi mauti yanamtwaa.

Mimi kipenzi cha watu hasa mafisadi. Nina mwenye upendo. Sijawahi kuua hata inzi. Nitaua wanini iwapo uchafu wa kula uko mwingi?

Hata nyinyi mnaodai naihujumu nchi kwa kuwakingia kifua mafisadi mnakosea. Inapaswa mniombe radhi. Nchi mnaihujumu wenyewe kwa kulalamika badala ya kufanya kweli.

Wapo wajinga wanaodai maisha yangu ya kifalme yanasababisha umaskini kwao. Ebo! Kwani mimi si mchungaji kuchunga kondoo nisinywe maziwa na kula nyama yao?

Umaskini wenu hausababishwi na ufalme wangu wala maisha yangu. Ni matokeo ya uvivu wenu wa kufikiri. Mzee Musa aliwahonya. Enyi Watanzia wapumbavu nani aliwaroga ambao kila kitu kiliwekwa mbele yenu?

Hamkutujua wanasiasa tunaweza kupayuka na kuahidi lolote tusifanye kitu! Sisi ni wasanii. Hatuna tofauti na mafarisayo. Tunawatwisha watu mizigo na mikenge sisi tukinema bila mzigo.

Wajinga wanauliza iko wapi safari ya Kanani. Ebo! Mmeambiwa mimi ni Musa? Mbona alikufa zamani na Haruni aliishaachana na siasa anakula pensheni yake?

Kwanza sikuwaahidi kuwapeleka Kanani. Nani awapeleke kwenye vita ya Wapalestina na magaidi wa Kimarekani? Ningepata wapi pasipoti kwa watu wote?

Kwanza niwape somo. Mlifanya kosa kubwa sana. Hamkumbuki mlinichagua kwa vile nina sura nzuri? Mzee Musa aliwaonya: hamkuwa mnatafuta Miss Tanzia.

Kwa kiranga na ujaha mlimdharau na kupuuzia wasia wake. Sasa yanawakuta mnaanza kulalama. Kwani uzuri wangu umepungua? Mnataka ningeze mkorogo tena? Mbona najiona nimechanika huku Bi. Mkubwa akikaribia kupasuka!

Ngoja nijisifu kidogo. Ninaye mke mwenye kuvutia. Ana akili sina mfano. Ameanzisha biashara kuwasaidieni wake zenu waondokane na umaskini.

Tunatembea dunia nzima pamoja akisaka misaada kuwainua wake zenu. Watu wasioitakia nchi maendeleo wanadai atakula pesa yenu. Jamani ale pesa gani iwapo mume wake anayo pesa nyingi mnayomlipa?

Mke wangu hana shida kama wale waliotutangulia. Yeye ni mzalendo wa wazalendo. Ndiyo maana, kutokana na kujua hili hata hatuna haja ya kutaja mali zetu ambazo kimsingi ni zenu. Tunaomba mzidi kutuaminini ndugu zetuni.

Wanoko wanasema nawakingia kifua mafisadi. Hawa hawajui siasa za kisasa. Hawa wanataka kuvuruga mshikamano ‘wetu’ na kuhatarisha usalama wa taifa. Hawajui ninaongoza sirikali wanayoiita serikali!

Jamini ee! Nawaletea habari njema. Yule kijana Mapepe tumemkomesha. Hana nidhamu kutwambia hatuna nidhamu na tunahujumu watoto.

Kwa ajili ya usalama wa chama na taifa, tumeamua kumjadili na kumchukulia hatua za kinidhamu kwa kutaka kuingilia na kuhatarisha ulaji wa wakubwa.

Ala! Kumbe naota?

Chanzo:Tanzania Daima Septemba 10,2008.

Tuesday 9 September 2008

Ziara za Kikwete nje hazina faida





Ingawa wapambe wa rais, Jakaya Kikwete, wanajitahidi kutuaminisha kuwa ziara zake za mara kwa mara nje ya nchi zina faida kwa taifa, kuna walakini katika hili.

Ukimuondoa rais wa Kameruni, Paul Biya, anayesifika kwa kuishi Ulaya akirejea mara kwa mara kuja nchini mwake kuchukua pesa toka benki kwa ajili ya kugharimia uharamia wake, marais Kikwete na Thabo Mbeki (Afrika Kusini) wanashika rekodi ya kupenda kufanya ziara za nje. Wananchi wamepiga kelele hadi makoo yamewakauka huku Kikwete akizidi kuwapuuzia.

Wapo wanaoshangaa marais kama hawa hupata muda wapi wa kushughulikia masuala ya kitaifa nchini mwao. Rais Kikwete hivi majuzi alithibitisha hili alipopokea taarifa ya tume ya kuchunguza wizi wa Richmond kimya kimya na kuiacha mezani kwenda nchini Marekani. Hivi ni mwenye nyumba gani mwenye busara anayeweza kwenda harusini huku akiacha nyumba yake inabomolewa na majizi asiwe mwenzao? Hii inaonyesha ni kwa kiasi gani rais anathamini ziara kuliko masuala muhimu kwa taifa.

Tangu aingie madarakani, kama mtangulizi wake,
Benjamin Mkapa, aliyependa sana kusafiri, Kikwete amefanikisha kitu kimoja-kutumbua pesa ya walipa kodi maskini kwa kufanya ziara nje hadi watani wake wakamwita Mtalii. Kwa mtu mwenye uchungu kwa taifa, angalau Kikwete angewekeza sana kwenye kutekeleza ahadi alizotoa wakati wa uchanguzi uliompa ushindi wa kishindo cha Tsunami kinachoanza kugeuka Tsunami kweli kwa maisha yetu. Ajabu alipata fursa ya kuzunguka nchi nzima wakati wa kampeni tena ndani ya miezi michache. Muulize ameisha kwenda mara ngapi vijijini kuhimiza ‘maendeleo’.

Kama kuna jibu ni aibu, uongo au ukweli unaouma. Alitegemewa apambane na kuongezeka kwa rushwa na ufisadi karibu katika kila idara na wizara ikiwemo Ikulu. Inaonekana. Rais, kutokana na maisha ya kifalme anayoishi, hajui kuwa nchi yetu ni maskini inayoishi kutegemea kuomba omba na kukopa. Ni kweli hawezi kujua hili kutokana na mamlaka ya kupita kipimo aliyo nayo. Yuko juu ya sheria. Laiti angekuwa anawajibika angetoa maelezo kwanini asishitakiwe kuhusiana na tuhuma za ufisadi kwenye list of shame.

Tunaambiwa. Hii ni mara ya sita tangu Kikwete kuingia madarakani. Hii maana yake ni kwamba amekuwa akienda Marekani kila baada ya miezi sita tangu aingie madarakani. Hata ukiangalia nchi zinazoongoza kuifadhili Tanzania, Marekani haimo. Je hapa kunani anachokwenda kukifanya kila mara?
Kinachoongeza shuku ya hasara ni ile hali ya watawala wetu kusafiri kama wafalme wa kiarabu ambapo huandamana na misafara mikubwa bila sababu. Kwa mfano umma umekuwa ukilalamikia kuwamo kwa mke wa rais karibu katika kila msafara. Hii inaufanya urais wa Kikwete kugeuka aina fulani ya utalii wenye hasara kwa taifa. Maana misafara hii humgharimu sana mlipa kodi maskini.

Tunapata wasi wasi na faida na kazi anazofanya rais huko nje. Kama ni kuashughulikia maendeleo mbona wenzake wa Kenya na Uganda hawasikiki wakisafiri nje mara kwa mara kama yeye?
Hapa tusipewe kisingizio cha kuwa mwenyekiti wa Umoja wa Afrika (UA). Na kama hiki kitatumika kama kisingizio basi ni bora tukamwambia rais aachane na wadhifa wenye hasara kwa uchumi na maisha yetu.

Kwanini wadhifa huu uwe big deal iwapo matatizo yanazidi kuongezeka nchini mwetu huku tukijisifu kutatua ya wenzetu? Rejea jinsi tulivyoshiriki kusuluhisha migogoro ya Comoro na Kenya huku tukishindwa wa Zanzibar unaotishia usalama wa taifa na muungano wetu kwa sasa. Je huku kama siyo kuishiwa na unafiki ni nini?
Anachofanya Kikwete hakina tofauti na kile wanachofanya wasaidizi wake.

Ukiangalia aina ya magari wanayotembelea na idadi ya misururu ya magari wawapo mikoani, utaona ukweli unaotisha kuwa mojawapo ya sababu za nchi yetu kuwa maskini licha ya kuwa na utawala usio na visheni wala mipango, ni matumizi mabaya ya pesa ya umma yanayofanywa na watawala wetu.
Lazima tuseme. Maana sisi ndiyo tunaolipa kodi inayogharamia maisha ya kifalme ya watawala wetu. Lazima tulalamike ili waone ukweli. Kama wataendelea kwa jeuri kama walivyozoea basi tuwatolee uvivu kwa kuwagomea na kufanya kutawala kuwa kugumu hadi watakapowajika kwetu badala ya matumbo yao.

Kinachosikitisha na kukera ni ile hali ya watapanyaji wa fedha zetu kama hawa kutuaminisha kuwa wanaweza kutuletea maisha bora kwa kila mtanzania. Yatapatikanaje iwapo ufisadi na matumizi mabaya ndicho wanachojua? Yatapatikanaje iwapo hawawajibiki? Rais asiye na muda wa kutulia ofisini na nchini kwake yupo madarakani kwa bahati mbaya. Kutokana na upogo huu, imefikia mahali watawala wetu wanategemea kusifiwa na mataifa fadhili au benki ya dunia badala ya wananchi waliowachagua na kuwagharimia maisha yao! Rejea sifa za uongo zilizotolewa na shirika la fedha la umoja wa mataifa (IMF) kwa Kikwete kushughulikia kashfa ya EPA wakati hajaishughulikia lolote.

Naye bila kujua anapigwa vijembe alizipokea ‘sifa’ hizi kwa moyo mmoja asijue wananchi hawaoni cha kusifiwa nacho!
Hali hii ya kulegalega katika kuendesha nchi imefikia pabaya kiasi cha baadhi ya wachambuzi kufikia hitimisho kuwa Kikwete ameshindwa nchi. Bahati mbaya naye hajibu mapigo zaidi ya kufikiria kufanya ziara nje ya nchi.

Kuna haja ya rais wetu kujiepusha na maisha ya hovyo kama ya akina Mswati III ambao wapo madarakani kwa ajali na kinyume cha tararibu zote za kidemokrasia.
Kuna haja ya walipa kodi kugomea aina hii mpya ya ufisadi kwa kisingizio cha madaraka na maendeleo. Ni maendeleo gani haya yanayotegemea ziara za nje badala ya mipango, uwajibikaji, matumizi mazuri na juhudi za wananchi wenyewe? Hakuna maendeleo yanayoweza kupatikana kwa kuomba na kuzurura nje. Unajirudia ushauri wa bure wa marehemu Nyerere wa mali mnayo lakini mmeikalia.

Urais uwe ni utumishi badala ya kuwa chambo cha kufanyia utalii na isirafu.
Tunaomba kutoa hoja. Rais Kikwete acha ziara zisizo na faida kwa taifa nje ya nchi. Iga mifano ya marais jirani ambao kwa kiasi fulani nchi zao zinasonga mbele kuliko Tanzania. Rejea Rwanda kuanza kuwa tishio kiuchumi wakati haina raslmali hata moja ya mia ya Tanzania. Wenzetu wanatucheka. Global trotting si jambo jema kwa taifa maskini kama letu. Hata marais wa nchi tajiri wanaogopa upuuzi huu. Sisi tusio na lolote tunauwezaje?

Chanzo: Dira ya Tanzania Septemba 9, 2008.

Wednesday 3 September 2008

Why Obama Is America's Best Bet




Barack Addressing Democrats

If Charles Darwin and his cousin, Francis Galton were to come back to life, their first wonder of the century would be Barrack Obama. Obama has defied all odds to become unstoppable as far as the race for the White House is concerned. They’d be shocked to death to find that, at last, their eugenic philosophy (that made life difficult for Africans) is cascading down and is but hocus pocus.

Though I’ve no horse in America’s presidential race, as an analyst I’ve a stake in it. That’s why I’m comfortable to aver that there are some healthy reasons as to why most American voters have to vote for Obama. Looking at what one can call Bush’s mess, shall Americans make any mistake, they’re likely to experience worse suffering. Under the pseudo pretext of Weapons of Mass Destruction, Bush took America to war with Iraq. One question still remains: Where are the Weapons of Mass Destruction we were told Saddam Hussein had? Are they in his grave or Crawford ranch?

Much money and manpower has been used in Iraq and the results are surreal thanks to deaths of thousands of soldiers. Currently, the US is unable to cope with the ever surging number of casualties. Many are blaming the government for neglecting them. Though ancient Rome was hated for its brutality, America is most hated due to its abuse of her ‘superpower status,’ duplicity and double standard.

Americans must vote for a thinker who can build bridges as he reconciles with his foes and here, Obama comes in. Obama has categorically said that he shall sit at the round table with those presumed to be America’s foes in the Middle East.Russia recently attacked the baby (Georgia) whilst, the mother (The US) sat aside and watched! Russia did not jump into the waters without measuring how deeper they are. It started with Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin’s re-ascendancy to power by the way of bringing his caricature Dmitry Medvedev into the show. What anarchic dictatorship! The US did nothing reasonable to prevent this backlash dictatorship. Had this been committed by African countries where the US has interests, things would worsen.

I find Obama convincingly credible. He’s a thinker apart from being young. I recently discovered that his opponent John McCain astonishingly learnt how to open his first email just recently!His detractors call him a dude from olden time that aspires to ride on modern time without credibility and clouts to do so. Many are gaffing. How can such a Bush-clone preside over intricate technological issues in a nation that is leading in technology? It is like bringing back the biblical Adam to teach Bill Gates how computer systems work.

Hillary Clinton who was regarded as an obstacle for Obama, recently threw her force behind Obama. She said: no way, no how, no McCain!
This, coupled with the coming of international affairs guru Joe Biden, chances are this time Americans will vote for the future as opposed to the past.

Those of us born under bipolar and now growing under one superpower-America, can comfortably compare the duos. After the Russians goofed by trusting the US (thanks to kaput Perestroika propounded by Mikhail Gorbachev) America became everything to the world. Now that the sleeping lion is slowly waking, America needs a smart player. And that surely is Obama.

You know that Russia is the current energy power house of the world and the West needs power supply from Russia. Thus, it uses an Arabic parable that says: serve the kaffir to get your due.This has been taken as impotence and double standard. This, coupled with Wall Street’s politics of money making, has forced American corporate to bet well. They’re trying to put their bet on a winning horse that is Obama. Anybody doubting this should ask himself: why was Hillary Clinton,Washington's doyen trounced by Obama?

Another thing adding up for Obama is the whole issue of Middle East politics. Bush’s regime, of which McCain is a typical replica, has proved to be a let-down. The begotten son, Israel has never been at peace with Palestinians and Arabs in general. Muscles have been used. But they’ve never brought any reprieve. This is where Biden comes in timely.

The US has been pumping much money to Israel believing it can add up. But it’s never helped nonetheless. Wars with Palestine have proved to be hara-kiri. Here, Obama scores more marks than McCain. Encouragingly, Obama’s take of the situation in Middle East is to sit and talk with the enemy whilst McCain’s, like Bush’s, is military solution that has never paid any dividends. Former President Bill Clinton, a democrat like Obama, used the same method. At least, under his initiatives, some accords were entered and the situation in the Middle East eased off a little bit. This has become a symbol of success for democrats.Former president Jimmy Carter does not mince words. He calls for the change in approach towards Middle East.

Another striking issue for American voters is the economy that will sustain and save the environment. In this, once again, Obama scores higher than McCain whose policies are basically the ones loaned from Bush. And mark my words. Obama clinched the tickets mainly on the strength of this. This being the situation, what else do American voters want?



Source: The African Executive Magazine September 3, 2008.