OINT BLANK: What’s wrong with presidential ambitions?

THERE is this Premier Eddie Lu-wassa, a yero like the late Sokoine. Though the difference is, Sokoine was Sokoine and Lu-wash is Lu-wash. You know what I mean? I’m not trying to profile these yero guys. They are serious in whatever business. They are good at everything.

I like this community of heroes. Some tongue wagers have it that this guy, Edu, has an eye on the presidency after his best pal Jack lapses his beleaguered phase four! They expound and propound all lies about the guy. They’’re saying he’s mwanamtandao’. What is wrong with being a member of this mtandao? What is wrong with having ambitions for and an eye on the presidency?


Let me reprimand them point blank. Just like any Tanzanian whose rights are enshrined in our old-fashion Constitution, Edu enjoys them too. If he thinks he is a presidential material, perfect. But this is not all. If our people deem him fit, perfect. But will they make this grave mistake to trust untrustable?

I read somewhere I don’t remember though, that the network, yes, ‘mtandao’, was purposely formed to impose its members to ruin this country! Much is spoken so to speak. These good guys at wagging tongues are saying: ’’Look Edu in actuality and reality, he is the one running this crippled piece of land! Wow!


These guys are now crossing the line. Edu wake up. Wake up Edu. These guys intend to snatch your cake. Shame on them! They think we don’t know how power- hungry they are just like you!

The guys are shrewd to be honest. But do they know that Edu too is? Edu can shrewdly exterminate any fire directed to him or his boss. Look at how he silenced the tongue wagers in the House. They wanted to make us believe that Richmond was the business owned by government! Don’t they know that Edu is a yero warrior who in light and dark, directly or otherwise can carry the day?


I’m now telling you point blank. Let me tell you another thing. These guys are legalizing their illegality by shamelessly saying, given that Edu was in the race for the presidency in 1995, his ambitions will never escape him. They add one and one and say in the year 2015, he will still be ’kijana’ as per CCM’s hoodwink! What is wrong with convincing people that a grandee is a young boy?

For your reminder, the guy won’t be the first to invoke this science. It is just a few years ago when his friend was dubbed a young boy and sailed through. Those guys who invented this science of turning lies into truth and vice versa are smart. If they were not, how would they present a 55-odd-year-old guy as an adolescent and get away with it? Didn’t you echo their choir and jump into the bandwagon? Who’s wrong hither? Don’t complain then.


Going back to the guy and the presidency, those malicious, obnoxious, nefarious and devious guys are saying that all those reports about over expenditure in the high House is the means of raising funds for ’takrima’ to be employed in 2015! They even swear! Nonsense, isn’t it? Let me ask them. Hey bad guys! Why don’t you adduce evidence thereof? Now our country is dogged with these sorts of things. Some say it is true. Some ugh! You know. I am a bookworm and a truth hook. That’s why I’ve never fallen short of words. I am a well of words of wisdom.? I read like Kambarage and think like Sophocles. I’m not sure if currently the rulers do the same. Anyway may be they do. That’s why they are able to shrug off every boomerang aimed at them.Yes. That’s why the tongue wagers in the house were silenced. To the contrary, Kambarage and I did read to see to it that all Tanzanians are realizing their dreams without waiting.


Let me ask you over and over again. Why, you tongue wagers fear the guy? If you want the presidency you should say so instead of vindicating the guy. Are you still basing your hatred on Nyerere’s rants? Don’t you know he was his grandfather? So what he said was just a joke.

Yes. Kambarage said some punks acquired wealth illegally. But he did not name names. He named one name; John for truancy and sick advice. Even if he meant Edu, he did not adduce evidence. Again if what Nyerere said meant Edu, how would Jack appoint him his consigliore? Nothing remains the same. Edu is a changed guy. He is clean and mature. And this is the only reason that enabled him to defeat many guys who were eying the premiership.


What a shrewd and powerful PM that Edu is! ’Edu fanya vitus’. Don’t you listen to those mentally skinny goons Edu. Wachovu hao. I don’t see any difference between you and them. Mind you. The ape does not see its butt. Stop your jackass justice. This is now getting into my nerves. It is too much.’Muacheni Edu.’ Let him enjoy his time. You are saying he wants the presidency by all means. Yes. So what? What of you? Don’t you want ’ulaji wa bure eenh?’ Stooop! ’Acheni wivu wa kike.’ I wish Ben were there. He would full pack his abuses and rant on you point blank till?you burst for anger. The guy was a boxer I am told. If you do your nonsense he can clobber you or call you names.


Don’t you know why I am defending this guy? One day if good God willing, he will remember me in his glory. I remember my colleagues. Some used to burn their voices on radio and others before TV cameras. Those media guys landed on ’vyeo vinono’ the size of honourable so-and-so. They no longer wake in the middle of the night to wait for vans to deliver them like parcels at studio or media house doors. One of them is a DC and another an RC. It pays sometimes even though bad guys call this science nepotism, corruption, favoritism, ’kujuana’, ’mtandao’ and so on. Who cares if the taxpayers are paying and the guys scoop? Let me roll over my gospel. If you are not well connected don’t hate those who are. So long chaps.
Nkwazigatsha@yahoo.com

Source: ThisDay December 26, 2007

Kikwete tupe zawadi ya mwaka, vunja Baraza la Mawaziri

DESEMBA 21, vyombo mbalimbali vya habari vilimkariri Rais Jakaya Kikwete akisema hana mpango wala ulazima wa kuvunja Baraza la Mawaziri.

Hii inasikitisha na kukatisha tamaa. Maana si siri wala uzushi kwamba Baraza la Mawaziri la Kikwete licha ya kuwa zigo kubwa, limeshindwa vibaya kiasi cha kumfedhehesha na kumuangusha Kikwete ingawa hataki kukubali na kufanyia kazi ukweli huu kwa sababu anazozijua mwenyewe.

Kulikuwa na tetesi kuwa rais angevunja baraza lake la mawaziri na kuwatimua mawaziri wote wenye kuandamwa na kashfa za ufisadi.

Ingawa rais alijitoa kimasomaso na kuukana ukweli huu, alikiri kuwa baraza lake la mawaziri ni kubwa, hivyo ni mzigo na ni ukweli kwa wale tunaoshinikiza alivunje na kuunda jipya dogo na lenye watu safi tayari kuikwamua nchi hii iliyozamishwa kwenye uchafu wa ajabu utokanao na ufisadi, kulindana, kujuana na kuupuzia umma.

Pili, ieleweke kuwa uvumi huu unaokatwa ngebe na rais ni ishara na taarifa kuwa umma sasa unayasikia maumivu ya zigo hili alilotubebesha rais kwa sababu zake binafsi. Hii ni ishara ya kuasi na kusema ‘enough is enough’ ingawa watawala hawataki kuelewa hivyo.

Mlipa kodi anatweta na mizigo isiyo na ulazima, hasa kipindi hiki tunaposhuhudia kuporomoka kwa uchumi wetu na kutapanywa kwa fedha na rasilimali zetu kama taifa.

Tatu, kutamalaki kwa kashfa na vitendo vya kifisadi ukiachia mbali kushindwa kabisa kwa serikali, ni ishara kuwa rais naye kwa zamu yake na namna yake ameridhika na anguko hili la kihistoria kwa nchi yetu na kwa rais aliyeingia madarakani kwa ridhaa kubwa ya wananchi.

Nne, kuendeleza kebehi na kichwa ngumu kwa watawala ilhali alama za nyakati zinataka vinginevyo. Hivi rais ananufaika na nini kwa kuwa na utitiri wa mawaziri wasio na kazi ya kufanya bali kutapanya pesa ya umma na kutumia muda wa umma kwenye shughuli zao binafsi?

Je, hapa rais haoni kuwa adui wake ni yeye mwenyewe? Nani anamshauri vibaya rais kiasi hiki cha kugeuka kipofu dhidi ya ukweli ulio wazi?

Inashangaza kwa rais na waliomzunguka kuendelea kujiridhisha na baraza bomu kama hili. Hii inafanya swali, rais ananufaika vipi kuzidi kuchomoza kwa ukali wa ajabu.

Inawezekana rais hahisi mzigo huu wala maumivu yake! Je, ni kwa vile halipi kodi bali kuitumia na wenzake watakavyo? Atauhisije iwapo ameshindwa hata kusikiliza na kuvifanyia kazi vilio vya umma unaozidi kuteseka ilhali watu wachache wakizidi kuneemeka mgongoni mwake?

Au ni ile kudanganywa na kupumbazwa na wapambe wanaomtumia kutimiza ajenda zao za siri? Je, rais ameamua kusikiliza urongo wa wapambe wanaomuaminisha mambo ni safi wakati siyo? Ni hatari kiasi gani?

Je, msimamo kama huu ni busara au maangamizi ya baadaye kwake na nchi kwa ujumla? Kwanini rais hataki kuwasikiliza umma uliokata tamaa na kuelemewa na maisha magumu?

Kwa mtu anayejua siasa na utete wake, angedhani kuwa matokeo ya hivi karibuni ya REDET juu ya kuporomoka kwa imani ya umma, kwake yangekuwa onyo na andalizi la kubadilika na kuusikiliza na kuutumikia umma badala ya kuupuzia na kuutumia.

Kimsingi anayeumia ni mlipa kodi maskini. Kuna haja ya kumsadia rais. Baraza lake kubwa la mawaziri ni zigo zito hata kama kwake linaonekana jepesi kwa vile haligusi maslahi yake binafsi.

Hivi kweli kule vijijini - kwa mfano - unapoambiwa kuwa mwalimu mmoja anafundisha zaidi ya watoto 280 kama ilivyoripotiwa hivi karibuni na vyombo vya habari, wanamuelewa rais kweli?

Je, kwa kuwa na msimamo huu ulio hasi na hatari kwa wananchi, rais atashindwa kuonekana naye ni sehemu ya mzigo na tatizo? Je, hali hii inamjengea au kumbomolea rais?

Je, rais hata wasaidizi wake hawasomi magazeti na kuzidurusu taarifa kama hizo hapo juu ambapo ukweli dhahiri ni kwamba serikali yake imefeli vibaya? Kama hawasomi, ni kwanini kila asubuhi pesa ya mlipa kodi inafujwa kwenye kununua magazeti karibu yote ya kila siku ilhali hayatumiki wala kufanyiwa kazi?

Inashangaza na kutia wasi wasi kuona rais anaridhika na Baraza la Mawaziri ambapo wengi wao wanakabiliwa na shutuma za wazi kuhusiana na ufisadi uliotamalaki.

Je, rais yupo kwa ajili ya nani kati ya wananchi wanaoumia na wezi wachache wanaowaumiza wananchi? Kuna haja ya kupewa ukweli ili angalau umma ujue nini ni nini ili tuache kuonekana kama walalamishi na wazushi?

Tungependa hili liwe wazi ili tusionekane kama tunamuona rais kama mtu asiyekwenda na wakati.

Hili litatuepushia kuonekana kama wachochezi na wataka shari ingawa kimsingi wachochezi na wataka shari ni wale wanaomdanganya rais kiasi cha kumgeuza kama kijiko cha kuchotea utajiri utokanao na utumizi mbaya wa madaraka.

Watanzania wengi walidhani kuwa muda waliokuwa wamempa rais hata kudiriki kumtetea kuwa anaangushwa na watu wake, angeutumia vizuri kurekebisha hali ya mambo.

Je, kwa kuridhika na baraza lake la mawaziri haoni kuwa anawageuza wananchi wambea na majuha wasiojua wanachosema hata vipofu wasioona hali inavyozidi kuwa mbaya? Je, hili linamsaidia rais hata hao wapambe wake iwapo umma utaamua kuasi kama unavyoanza kuonyesha?

Inatia shaka sana kuona rais anaridhika na Baraza la Mawaziri lenye zaidi ya mawaziri nusu wanaokabiliwa na tuhuma za ufisadi ambazo wameshindwa kuzikanusha ukiachia mbali kutishia kwenda mahakamani na wasifanye hivyo.

Ziko wapi kesi za kudai kuchafuliwa majina tulizowasikia akina Nazir Karamagi, Grey Mgonja na wengine wakitishia kuzifungua?

Je, serikali yake ni ya nani kati ya watu wake na wananchi? Ni vizuri kuelezwa tuelewe ili tujue la kufanya. Na rais asipotoa jibu umma utajitafutia jibu kwa amani.

Huwezi kuwaambia wananchi kuwa serikali ni yao, na kisha hapo hapo ukawapuuzia kana kwamba hawajui wanachofanya wala wanachotaka!

Tumpe mifano hai. Kwa tuhuma zilizoelekezwa kwa baadhi ya viongozi, umma ulitegemea rais awawajibishe ili wachunguzwe vizuri.

Kwa yaliyotokea Muhimbili ambako maisha ya mwananchi asiye na hatia yameishapotea, wananchi walitegemea Waziri wa Afya awajibike mara moja badala ya kuwa ndiye kinara kwa kuunda tume ya kujichunguza.

Kwa yanayoendelea kwenye wizara za Elimu ya Juu; Miundombinu; Kilimo; Nishati na Madini, wananchi walitegemea rais awatimue wahusika ili kuwachunguza hata kuwafikisha mbele ya vyombo vya sheria ili haki itendeke na mali na rasilimali vya umma vinusurike. Lakini wapi! Je, rais tumueleweje?

Kuna haja ya wananchi kuachana na kutafuta majibu toka serikalini. Maana serikali sasa inaonyesha wazi kuwa haina majibu na kama inayo ama si sahihi au haitaki hata kuyatoa kwa sababu izijuazo yenyewe. Hii maana yake ni taarifa kuwa wananchi ni kama mayatima wasio na serikali.

Kuwa na serikali siyo kuwa na watu maofisini bali kuwa na huduma na heshima kama wenye nchi badala ya watu fulani kuiteka na kuitumia nchi na rasilimali zake watakavyo.

Pia kuna haja ya umma kukengeuka na kuacha kuwaachia upinzani kila kitu linapokuja suala zima la kuibana serikali ili itende haki ambayo kimsingi si ombi wala hisani bali wajibu.

Kwanini mwananchi alipe kodi na asipewe haki yake ya huduma na maamuzi juu ya uendeshaji wa serikali na nchi yake?

Rais vunja Baraza la Mawaziri hata kama kufanya hivyo ni kulazimika. Hali ni mbaya.

nkwazigatsha@yahoo.com


Source: Gazeti la Tanzania Daima Desemba 26,2007

Siku Boyz II Men walipotumbuiza mbele ya mkuu kijiweni

JUZIJUZI, mkuu wa kijiwe chetu alikuwa ziarani kwenye matanuzi kwenye nchi ya Joji Kichaka Porini, kinara wa kupambana na ugaidi na silaha za maangamizi (WMD).

Nimechagua ubeti huu kwanza baada ya kuusikia na kunikumbusha mkasa na msiba mzima wa njuluku za walipa kodi.

Bado pamoja na kuutwika kwangu ili mawazo yaniishe najiuliza mantiki ya mazingaombwe haya yote!

Je, hili nalo ni sehemu ya mkakati wa kukuza uchumi na kuvutia wawekezaji na wachukuaji? Tutajuaje. Huenda na vijana hawa wa Boys II Men wanataka kuwekeza kwenye kusifu ‘mazuri’ ya nchi yetu na awamu hii!

Nikiwa ndiyo natoka kuutwika nilianza kujiimbia lau niliwazike kama mkuu na msafara wake.

Here we’re
at the end of the lies,
things indeed are,
that we’ve gone astray.

But all in all,
I am above all.

Though I’ve to heed the call,
the people are tired of me.

When I came to States,
in the country of riches,
I met with these guys,
The so-called Boys.

They entertained me.

With full of smiles,
I forgot all lies,
though in me,
full of butterflies!

Danganyika my land,
the land of peace.

Some say.

You’re in pieces!

I have my kasi,
I have my buddies
eddie Nazi and Azi.

“We koma, tena ukome kabisa. Hujui siku hizi ung’eng’e si lugha ya siri kama zamani! Hata kama mkuu wetu kijiweni alikwenda kutanua, ulitaka afanye nini iwapo ana nafasi ya kujinafasi? Acha wivu wa kike wewewee!” Nilistukia naongea peke yangu kama chizi! Kumbe na ulevi ni uchizi!

Yes. Ni uchizi hata uwe wa mamlaka. Ulevi ni ulevi tena ni uchizi.

Baada ya kuzideku snaps za mkuu wetu wa kijiweni na vijana wa Boys II Men zilizopigwa na wapiga picha wetu vimbelembele na malimbukeni wenye majina kama ya supu, nilijihisi kupagawa.

Nilijiliwaza kwa kukumbuka nilivyokuwa nikitanua miaka ya 90 enzi za Boyz II Men wakati nikimfuatia mshirika wangu wa bedroom ngomani.

Nilijikuta nikiwakumbuka akina Marc Nelson, Nathan Morris, Michael McCary, Shawn Stockman na Wanya Morris. “Vijana mlitesa kimakwelini wajameni,” nilistukia nikijisemea kabla ya kulamba mweleka kutokana na ulabu.

Ngoja niimbe ubeti huu ambao ulimuingiza kwenye moto mshirika wangu.

Naanza kuimba tena kwa mapozi huku bangi langu likitoa moshi kama dege bovu.

“Well, I can't sleep at night without holding you tight
Girl, each time I try I just break down and cry
Pain in my head oh I'd rather be dead
Spinnin' around and around.”
Naangalia huku na huko na kuendelea kwa pozi kwa sana.

”Ntintiii ntiiitintiii tititi tititi we’ve to goooooo!”
Naanza kuwaza dili. Kutokana na unguli wangu wa kubuni mikakati ya kupona. Naanza kuunda dili baab kubwa.

Nimo mbioni kuunda tuzo ya kiongozi bora wa Kiswahili kwa kutanua na kuruka majuu. Itaitwa Super smart Global-trotter African Ruler of the year.

Najisemea. “Kama Mo ameibuka na tuzo ya kiongozi bora wa Afrika, basi mimi naondoka na mtawala bora wa Afrika katika mambo ya makamuzi.”

Tofauti yangu na Mo ni kwamba yeye kwa kutumia mitandao yake, anakwanyua huku na kupeleka kule. Mimi nitatoa pesa halali ya mauzo ya kahawa pale kijiweni kwangu.

Nitatoa tiketi ya shuttle kwenda kuvinjari kwenye sayari ya Mars. Huwezi kumpa mtu trip ya kwenda Maldives au Island of Man. Hapa ni duniani na isitoshe hakuna jipya zaidi ya kwenda kuficha mishiko ya walipa kodi. Upo mshirika hapo?

Mshindi wa tuzo hii atafaidi sana. Ataruhusiwa kuandamana na maswahiba zake wote, mshirika wa bedroom, vichipukizi vyake, nyumba ndogo, na wapambe wengine hata wawe uchwara. Yeye nao watatesa na kuwa viumbe wa kwanza kujivinjari kwenye sayari hii nyekundu.

Hata Bill Gates na Carlos Salem pamoja na ukwasi wao, hawana jeuri ya kutumia hivi. Wakifanya kosa hili, board of directors za kampuni zao zitawafikisha kwa pilato kama rafiki yangu Conrad Black anayenyea debe kwa kuiibia kampuni yake.

Mzee Warren G Buffet namjua sana. Yeye zake ni kwao Nebraska akiendesha gari chovu utadhani siyo bilionea!

Kwa kutoa pesa yangu ya kahawa kwenye tuzo hii, nitaepusha vimbelembele kuzoa ujiko kwa kumsingizia kuwa mkuu anakwanyua na kufuja njuluku za kodi ya madafu. Kwanza nani afuje vijipesa vya madafu visivyoweza hata kukubalika kwenye nchi jirani zaidi ya mawe yake?

Mkuu poa, kijiwe chako hicho, we kamua wenye wivu wajinyonge.

Mara naanza kuimba. “Wenye nongwa wajinyonge sasa - wenye wivu wajikill.”

Mijitu isiyosoma husema eti mimi ni chizi! Mimi siyo chizi. Ni msomi wa haja. Hivi mijitu hii haioni ninavyotaka kuisaidia na kuleta mapinduzi ya kuokoa njuluku za umma?

Hivi haioni aibu wala kuhisi kichefu chefu kuona mkuu na wapambe wake hata wasio na hadhi wala personality kupanda madege ya kibiashara na kukaa kwenye madaraja ya kifalme - Royal Class?

Kwa vile nyinyi hamjawahi kusafiria ungo na mwewe kama mimi na mkuu na wapambe wake. Acha niwaambie. Ukiwa angani, unaletewa chakula na kinywaji na wasichana warembo wanaotabasamu waitwao Air hostess au wenyeji wa hewani. Ni moto ile mbaya. Wanacheka utadhani wale wa peponi!

Siku hizi madege mengi yana mtandao. Unaona kila nchi unayopita wakati ukisafiri angani kama mwewe.

Nilipokuwa nakwenda kwa Gordon Brown nilipanda mwewe wangu pale NIA na kupita KIA, JKIA huyo zangu Heathrow terminal No.27.

Njiani niliwaona wapambanaji wa Kisudan wakiongozwa na marehemu John Garang Atem de Mabior kwenye milima ya Abyei.

Niliona kasri la Muammar Gaddafi pale Tripoli kabla ya kuona mahekalu ya mabosi wa mafia kule kisiwani Palemo, Utaliano.

Hata Castel Gandolfo anapotanulia Papa nilipaona nikiwa angani. Unafanya mchezo na pipa nini? Hujui utamu wake ndiyo uliwafanya hata akina M7 na Kagame kung’ang’ania maulaji!

Turejee kwenye starehe za Boyz II Men. Mkuu wetu wa kijiwe, kwanza alisikiliza midundo kabla ya kupiga snap ya ukumbusho. Ama kweli Bongo kweli bongolala!

Najikuta nikikumbuka Maiko Jekisoni alipokuja na mipua yake ya kuchonga akapokelewa na mzee wa Ruxa utadhani naye alikuwa politician!

Zama za Mchonga upuuzi kama huu haukuwepo. Yeye zake ilikuwa ni kuwapokea akina Jimmy Carter, Mwenyekiti Mao Tse-Tung na wakubwa wengine si hawa wapiga kelele wa siku hizi.

Nani angemsimamisha Mchonga na wanaume waliovaa hereni utadhani mashoga? Thubutu yako!

Mzee yule alikuwa kiboko bwana. Alikuwa masikini jeuri siyo omba omba kwenye suti kama nilivyoona akina fulani. Baya zaidi tunadanganywa kuwa upuuzi kama huu ungekuwa dili la kutuondoa kwenye mazabe na mizengwe tuliyomo! Jamani acheni hizi tushastuka hata kama mnajifanya hamjali wala kusikia.

Hii inanikumbusha chizi mwenzangu mmoja aitwaye Ansibat Ngurumisha na falsafa zake za nyani kujambia jiwe na kusema, “hata kama umeminya umeipata.”

Naendelea kujisemea. “Naona tuzo kwa mtawala mtanuaji nuksi. Kwanini hii njuluku nisimpe mchonga peni mmoja atakayefichua uhalifu badala ya watu wenye roho mbaya wanaoweza kutanulia pesa ya wachovu huku wachovu wakitanuliwa na ukapa?” Najiuliza.

Kabla ya kuendelea kupanga mikakati yangu mara nakoswa koswa na daladala linalotoka wangu wangu kusaka abiria lau kieleweke.

Nikiwa najiweka vizuri kuendelea kupanga mipango hii ya ukombozi, mara kilonga longa changu kinalia.

”Halloo.” Najibu.

Kumbe ni rafiki yangu wa Inteligence. Alikuwa akinifahamisha kuwa mkuu amegoma kuwatimua mafisadi kwa vile wanaliletea taifa la watu wake faida. Kisimu chenyewe hakina chaji!

Mwe twafa! Richmond utatoa umeme bila Tanesco kutulangua?

Special salaams kwa wapiganaji wenzangu Freddy Macha-Kitoto na Ansbert Ngurumo. Kudos and Alluta Continua guys.

Mpayukaji@yahoo.com

Source: Gazeti la Tanzania Daima J'tano 26 Desemba 2007

Corruption: if it were home

Bigamy (having more than one wife) is a crime in Canada and United States. I wonder why Canada should allow homosexuality but ban polygamy. Since I am neither their citizen nor a law-maker, I therefore leave the matters as they are.

One Anthony Owens, 35, who was a traveling minister, served two years in prison on bigamy charges. This happened after four women testified that he proposed to them. Before then, he had divorced eight wives he had married before going to prison.

I still remember my own rave and rant at Paul Wolfowitz, the former World Bank President. Now it has come to the agora that the man is done. For it is the history that he shamefully hit the road last June. This, if anything, has, for the first time, touched the world. The Holier-than-thou behaviour that the Western world applies on others this time did not save Wolfowitz. One thing though is important: the White House shamelessly stood behind this disgraceful cash cow for his girlfriend. This indeed is a first step towards equal-accountability in World Bank’s circles. Such a marionette supported by white house succumbed before the pressure exerted especially by Europe.

What would one expect if Wolfowitz were an employee of our financial institutions at home in Dar, Kampala and Nairobi? I think he would have survived just like one former Tanzanian Attorney General, Andrew Chenge, who ruined the country but is still a powerful minister in the current scam-laden regime! This is how I view it. It is not necessarily right though: I may be right given to the situation at home speaks volumes. How many Wolfowitzs do we have in our offices? This is your home work today.

Today’s epistle is no common though. I will be jumping from one issue to another. This is how I have decided to write today.

Nearly a third of Canadians see themselves as workaholics and they are more likely than others to be dissatisfied with their work-life balance, says a Statistic Canada study released recently. The study, ‘Time escapes me: Workaholics and time perception,’ found that nearly one-third, or 31 per cent of Canadians aged 19 to 64 identify themselves as workaholics. About 39 per cent of self-identified workaholics reported that they work more than 50 hours a week. Only 20 per cent of non-workaholics reported working that amount of time.

A full 65 per cent of workaholics, however, expressed concern that they do not spend enough time with family and friends. Only 45 per cent of non-workaholics reported this worry. As well, 56 per cent reported that they did not have time for fun. Only 34 per cent of non-workaholics said they felt the same way.

If this research were conducted in any African country, the term workaholics would change into anti-workaholic. The figure for work dodgers would swell. Africa has a leaf to take here shall we ambitiously deign to advance and prosper.


By Nkwazi Mhango
Mhango is a Tanzanian living in Canada. He is a Journalist, Teacher, Human Rights activist and member of the Writers' Alliance of New Found land and Labrador (WANL)

Sources The Citizen Jan. 6, 2008.

The African Executive Magazine Issue no. 140

Are African first ladies or first raiders?

Ambiguity, suspicion, confusion even unconstitutionality surrounding the role of first ladies in African countries forced me to venture into first lady’s life in Canada .


Henceforth from the outset I would like to make my point clear that I aim at trying to clear the air regarding this ambiguity by looking at how Canada did away from it.

Ask any Canadian the name even life of the first lady, who in this case, is the wife of the Prime Minister ( Canada has no President but PM) he will have less to say about her.

Before pondering on the question, he will answer by asking a question! "Who is she in our country’s politics so as to bother your mind? I once received this question-cum answer myself.

Frankly speaking, Canadian fist lady has no power trappings or any political weight. She is not even popular and she does not like populism simply because her husband is a PM. First ladies here would like to make their own niche shall need be.

If one is a teacher, doctor, lawyer even house wife, will be comfortable to be known so. She does not attract any attention on the streets. She comfortably rubs shoulders with other people. More often than not, she remains a woman and a wife, nothing more or less.

Her husband’s power has nothing to do with her. She can not make any political capital of it whatsoever. If she envisages on being a politico, she does so just like a any common person but not a wife of the leader. To her, using her husband’s power to reach her goals is regarded as sexual discrimination.

To be precise, I was not interested in writing about this issue. But what happened- for the second time- in Kenya told me to rethink freshly.

Prior to what happened in Kenya, it recently came to light that the wife of prime minister of Canada was seen biking with one of her children in the back seat of the motorcycle. For those whose noses are stuck in others’ business had their tongues wagging. They aimed at discrediting their enemy the PM who defeated them in elections.

The Premier told them he is comfortable with his wife’s biking. He went further an extra mile saying: his wife is at liberty to use whatever means to drop at or pick their kids, Benjamin and Rachel from school.

That is Laureen Teskey Harper whose life has never been changed by the powers of her husband. She was a biker before her husband came to power she is still the same, no cavalcade and other fanfares or pomposity. Tax payers here will never allow her to spend their money. She knows and agrees with that. The person to whom they voted for is her husband not her.

The second episode involves the wife of one African president- I shall not disclose. If it were not for what happened one time in one European capital, I would not have wasted time to bow to pressures surrounding the roles of first ladies.

The president, his wife and others were in the official tour in that capital. After doing their business they got a chance to speak to their citizens living in that European country. They met in one hotel at least to brief each other on a couple of things. You know the way politicians do when they are in tours. They make sure that citizens wherever they are must be attended and listened to though at home they don’t have that time.

The president was the first person to climb onto the dais to speak to the citizens; his ministers followed and lastly his wife.

When the first lady was given the podium, like a politician herself, as usual with pomposity and tenacity, she used her husband’s party’s slogan to greet the citizens! "Kidumu MCC"!


Before the baffled audience which, apart from not being the members of the party that they hate replied, her husband the president, smelt a rat. He did not wait. He chipped in, "Do you think all people belong to my party?" Laughers and ululations were heard from the audience.
The damage was already made.


People started murmurings. Others were heard voicing their angers and views on too much unconstitutional power the wife of the president commanded. One of the audience was heard asking why should the first lady evolve when her espouses ascend to powers?


These two simple incidents and the Tyson-like wife of President Mwai Kibaki act like a wake-up call for African countries to address the confusion and discomfort surrounding the wives of our rulers.

In Tanzania Nyerere set a precedent if we understand the danger of unconstitutional powers which one may usurp.


In many African countries the calving of this unconstitutional position for the first lady goes even too beyond. Even the children of the first family act like "little presidents". Kenya is still in vicinage for one. Moi’s children ruined the treasurer in their wheel deals just because they were the children of president!

Back to Lucy Kibaki the wife of President, she seems to have sipped a lot more from the cup of powers so as to even attack a media house and beat journalists!

This, if we call shots, is but abuse of powers per se. It can be committed by any body if the role of the first family is not tamed soon and timely.

The lesson from Kenya is bitter. When Moi was president everything was smooth. But when he kissed power bye, table turned against him. Thanks to the corrupt new regime which is dragging its feet from charging Moi and his family because it is doing the same.

More on the point, I like Lucy Kibaki for showing her true self. But I don’t like her unbecoming behaviour which in essence will cost her husband dearly so to speak. I was pretty deeply shocked and ashamed of Lucy when she slunk across the dais, podium, patio or whatever it was in the state house and slapped the MC in face.

Is Lucy trying to outshine her husband’s wit and brio? Who knows?

Looking at the sure damage this can cause to Kibaki,one can comfortably aver that Lucy is the enemy number one of Kibaki especially at this moment he-Kibaki needs the votes of the Kenyans most.

Lucy’s yap-yaps, yelps and mediocrity will costly cost her husband this time. Does the big girl really know the repercussions of her misdeeds on her husband?
If she does, well, her excellence, sorry, the first lady-bear with me-is likely to suffer from a certain bulimia.

I’m not a doc. But it is on records that Alzheimer's disease once forced Ronnie to beat his love, Nancy. This may be my chief suspect in the first place.

Is this power intoxication that provokes this temporal insanity or something else?

Africa, if anything, needs to do something to deal with the whole rotten system that allows those sharing bedrooms with her rulers to wrongly behave like presidents whilst they are not. We need to address the whole issue and system in lieu of dealing with individuals.

Shall all African presidents remain above the law and being laws themselves, chances are; many Lucy are likely to feature high in the near future.

To be honest-to goodness analyst, I must admit that as of yet, African first ladies are unconstitutionally taking us for the ride. Shall this goes on this will make the job of pacifying Africa Sisyphean one.
What is more is the fact that they have become a very good source of poverty due to posh lives they command on the shoulders of a poor tax payer! Who wants to bless their illegal liminal place in the society for his peril?

That is how Canada did away from what Kenya and other African countries suffer. This can be witnessed by any other country. Take leaf from Canada. But mostly and strongly, our constitutions need to provide for the barring of this power intoxication. What adds up to this is the fact that almost all African first ladies are but unconstitutional supremos who came to power without even a single vote! Is it wrong thus to contend: African first ladies are first raiders of our economies? What do I know?
So long from Canada ,
nkwazigatsha@yahoo.com

Mwaka 2008 tukatae utumwa wa fikra

WATANZANIA tunahitaji kupigania uhuru upya toka kwa wakoloni wa kila aina. Tunao wakoloni aina kama mbili ama tatu.

Wale wa kutoka nje na wale wa kutoka ndani wanaotumiwa na wale wa nje kutunyonya na kututawala na wao wakitawaliwa.

Kimsingi hata wakoloni wanahitaji ukombozi. Hatuwezi kuwakomboa wakoloni wa nje. Lakini tunaweza kuwakomboa wa ndani. Kuwashupalia na kuwaambia hivyo sivyo.

Hivyo nguzo ya kwanza ni kujikomboa wenyewe halafu tuwakomboe na wenzetu. Tutaanzaje? Kwa kuukataa na kuuchukia ukoloni hata kama itatulazimu kufa. Na baya zaidi ukoloni wa kutawalana sisi kwa sisi.

Tunaishi kama panya! Mifumo yetu inatawaliwa na upanya. Lakini panya wana afadhali. Maana hawana nchi ya kuita yao wakaitawala na kuimiliki. Ndiyo maana siku zote panya hata akipata chakula cha kutosha, lazima ataficha kama baadhi yetu wanavyoiba kwenye mali za umma na kuficha ama ndani kwa kutumia kila mbinu au nje na kurejea na kujikausha wakiwinda nyingine wakafiche. Huu hakika ni utumwa.

Hata kama nimesoma, nina mali hata madaraka, kama ndugu, jirani, wananchi wenzangu wanalala njaa wakati nikivimbiwa, mie na hao wanaoteseka ni watumwa wa njaa hiyo hiyo. Maana uroho wangu na ukondoo wao wa ama kulalamika bila kupambana au kuridhika huku wakimuachia Mungu utadhani Mungu anaishi hapa, ni utumwa tena mchafu kuliko ule wa kufungwa kamba.

Je, tatizo letu ni nini? Ni mali au maarifa? Je, umaskini wetu ni wa mali au ubongo? Kwanini sisi? Huo ni utumwa wa fikra na lazima mwaka mpya wa 2008 tuseme hapana.

Kuna haja ya kujikomboa kutokana na upofu ambapo mtu anamnyonya mwenzie anayekubali kunyonywa kutokana na utumwa wa fikra. Hawa wawili wanahitaji ukombozi. Watu watafanyaje mambo kwa kupapasa kama wadudu wasio na macho? Hata wadudu ni afadhali. Maana hakuna mchwa anayemguguna mwenzie.

Tunahitaji ukombozi toka kwenye ukupe wa kutegemea wafadhili au ujanja ujanja wa kimifumo. Kupe na ng’ombe wote ni watumwa. Wanahitaji ukombozi. Kupe hata anenepe vipi bado ni kupe. Ukupe haumfai mtu wala jamii ya watu.

Tunahitaji ukombozi toka kwenye uchangudoa. Je, sisi siyo changudoa wanaotegemea wafadhili kwa fedha hata maadili? Je, hatuna watu tena wanaojiita wakubwa wanaofakamia kila uchafu ilimradi umetoka Ulaya? Hawa nao wanahitaji kukombolewa kutoka kwenye kichaa cha kujikana na kujikinai wakiwaneemesha wengine wakati kama paa wakijipalia mkaa. Je, hatuna watu tena waongo wanaotwambia tunakimbia wakati tumekatwa miguu? Je, na sisi tunaodanganywa na kukubali si watumwa? Je, wanaotudanganya si watumwa?

Tunahitaji kujikomboa kutoka kwenye woga. Je, sisi hatuogopani? Tajiri anamuogopa maskini anayemnyonya ili asimuibie au kumdhuru na maskini anamchukia na kumuogopa tajiri asizidi kumnyonya na kumdhulumu. Hawa wote ni watumwa. Chama tawala kinaogopa upinzani. Wanaogopana! Huu nao ni utumwa. Hatuaminiani!

Leo hii nchi za Kiafrika zinaimba nyimbo za ubinafsishaji ambao umevuka mipaka kiasi cha kubinafsisha miili na roho za watu! Ni utumwa kiasi gani?

Sipendi ubinafsishaji. Maana ni utumwa, tena wa hiari. Na kama ningeupenda basi nisingeanzia kuueneza kwa kuuza na kuiba mali za umma, bali ningebinafsisha mzizi wake ambao ni madaraka. Siogopi kusema kuwa ni heri kubinafsisha Ikulu kuliko kiwanda. Maana kiwanda huzalisha bidhaa tukazitumia kuliko Ikulu. Je, Ikulu huzalisha nini? Serikali kubwa? Na serikali huzalisha nini?

Sisi ni watumwa, tena wanaonuka hata kama tunaoga na kujitia uturi. Tutashindwaje kunuka iwapo tumejaliwa kila aina ya vinono na vya thamani, lakini kwa kichaa chetu tunajisifu kuwaita watu waje kujichotea wakati watu wetu wakichotwa na magonjwa, ujinga, umaskini, dhuluma na kila aina ya udhalili?

Tutashindwaje iwapo tunaendekeza mifumo inayotukwamisha badala ya kutukwamua. Tutashindwaje kuoza hata kugaga iwapo tunapingana na ukweli tena mchana kweupe? Nani kipofu na taahira asiyejua kuwa katiba yetu ni bomu? Je, tuko tayari kuibadili ili kila mtu awajibike na kupata haki yake? Nani atafanya hivi iwapo kuna baadhi yetu ni watumwa wa ukubwa usio ukubwa? Ni watumwa wa mali, matabaka, itikadi, vyama na woga?

Tutakuwaje huru iwapo tunauchukia na kuuogopa ukweli? Nani atakuwa huru bila kuukubali na kuukumbatia ukweli? Je, sisi siyo sawa na panya na fisi hata samaki tunaokulana utadhani vyakula vimeisha?

Inakuwaje nchi tena yenye kila aina ya mali na watu iridhike na umatonya isiwe kichaa na mtumwa? Hata kama mabwana wanatulipa kwa utumwa wetu, tukubali kuwa wengi wa watu wetu wanaumia.

Je, tutashindwa kutungiwa majina yote mabaya iwapo tunawaaminisha watu wetu kuwa tutawakomboa ilhali tunawauza? Basi tuwaambie ukweli badala ya kujidanganya na kuwadanganya. Kusema ukweli ni ukombozi namba moja na kuukubali ukweli ni ukombozi wa hali ya juu.

Mie ningekuwa rais wa nchi hii nisingefunga safari kwenda kuomba. Nisingethubutu hata kujidhalilisha na kuwadhalilisha watu wangu kutenda jinai hii.

Wenzetu wanatucheka na kuambizana kuwa vichwa vyetu vifanyiwe uchunguzi. Kwani tunamalizana wenyewe kwa wenyewe kwa kutumiwa na wakoloni wa nje.

Hakika tumegeuka wa hovyo. Hujaona kasa akimcheka kobe? Leo Afrika Mashariki kwa mfano imeshindwa kuungana kwa sababu ya ukondoo, ufisi na uchangudoa. Itaunganaje iwapo hatujiamini na kuaminiana?

Tutaunganaje iwapo wapo wanaofanya wenzao wa hovyo wasijue kuwa wao ni wa hovyo zaidi? Uzinzi ni mchafu. Wazinzi wawili wote ni wachafu hata mmoja awe anajisifu kumpata mwenzie.

Je, tumeridhika na uhayawani na umsukule wa kuendeshwa na kutumiwa huku tukijua, lakini tukajidanganya kuwa tu huru? Leo utashangaa kuona watu wanatishana na kufungana kwa kisingizio eti cha usalama wa taifa. Ni taifa gani liko salama iwapo lina mamilioni ya raia maskini? Je, adui ni yule anayetupinga kwa jinai hii au sisi tunaoikubali na kuwaaminisha watu wetu kuwa haya ndiyo maisha?

Leo kuna watu hawatakiwi kusimama mbele ya wenzao na wakaongoza kwa sababu hawafai. Lakini ukiwaambia, ugomvi! Je, wewe na wao nani adui na mtumwa mbaya?

Kusema mengi si kufikisha ujumbe. Ujumbe, Watanzania bado tuko utumwani. Hata uwe msomi, rais, mchungaji, sheikh au tajiri. Kama umezungukwa na maadui niliowaorodhesha hapo juu, ukiwa unawatumikia ilmradi upate chako, wewe ni hayawani. Maana unawajua na unawaona na umepewa akili kupambana nao kama utakubali kuukana utumwa wa fikra na kuacha kuukimbia ukweli hata kama unauma.

Dini,unafiki,uganga njaa,utapeli na ufisi chini ya CCM

Mchungaji Rwakatare; dini na siasa inawezekana?

Nkwazi Nkuzi Mhango

Mhango ni Mwalimu, Mwandishi wa habari, mwanaharakati wa Haki za Binadamu,

Mtunzi, Mshairi, na mwanachama wa chama cha watunzi cha Newfoundland and Labrodor-Canada-WANL aishiye Kanada.

KUMBUKUMBU zangu zinaniambia kuwa wanasiasa wetu wamekuwa mara kwa mara wakituhimiza tusichanganye dini na siasa. Wamekuwa wakituaminisha na kututisha kuwa kufanya hivyo ni sawa na kuchanganya mafuta na moto. Bado nakumbuka wimbo wa mpiga debe maarufu wa siasa fichi, zilizovishwa joho la dini na roho mtakatifu, Faustine Munishi. Munishi, sawa na watawala wetu, alitahadharisha kuchanganya dini na siasa kwa kulinganisha na mafuta na maji ambayo ‘reaction’ yake huwa mlipuko mbaya na wenye madhara makubwa sana. Kadhalika wakuu wa serikali ya chama tawala, CCM mara nyingi wamekuwa wakitahadharisha juu ya hatari ya kuchanganya dini na siasa, hasa yanapoibuka madai ya makundi ya dini dhidi ya serikali na yanayokinzana na serikali. CCM juzi ilimtangaza rasmi Gertrude Rwakatare ambaye ni mchungaji baada ya kuanzisha dhehebu lake. Amepewa ubunge baada ya kufariki Waziri mdogo wa zamani Salome Mbatia. Kweli kufa kufaana. Kwa mtu anayefuatilia na kuamini maagizo na tahadhari za watawala wetu, alistuka na kushangaa inakuwaje? Je, kwa mchungaji, tena anayekubalikana na wafuasi wengi, kupewa ubunge si kuchanganya siasa na dini? Je, siasa na dini ni hatari zinapochanganywa na watu wasio na mamlaka wala uhusiano na waliomo madarakani? Kwa mfuatiliaji wa mahubiri ya Rwakatare maarufu kama “kuambukiza utajiri” atashangaa ni jinsi gani Rwakatare anaweza kuwa mwanasiasa na kubaki na udhu wa uchungaji. Nina nia njema kabisa na Rwakatare aendelee kuwa mchungaji wa kuaminika, lakini kwa siasa tena siasa tatanishi kama za Tanzania, ni namna gani mama huyo anaweza kuwa mwanasiasa na mchungaji akaendelea kuaminika? Mchungaji Rwakatare, bila shaka anajua ubabaishaji wa wanasiasa wa Tanzania. Likitokea suala la uongo ni wao, ufisadi wao, dhuluma ni wao, je, mchungaji huyo anaweza kuambukizwa ugonjwa huo ambao kwa wanasiasa ni sawa na malaria ambayo kila mmoja lazima augue? Je, yaliyosemwa na Horace Kolimba (sasa marehemu) kuwa CCM imepoteza mwelekeo na Mwalimu JK Nyerere kuwa CCM imeporwa na matajiri na sasa viongozi wa dini ndiyo yanatimia? Hivi leo Kardinali Pengo akiwa mbunge tena wa upinzani, hali itakuwaje? Inakuwaje mchungaji awe mbunge? Je, kati ya Mungu na siasa atamtumikia nani? Maana huwezi kuwatumikia mabwana wawili. Inatia shaka zaidi kwa mtu anayesimama mbele za watu kuhubiri upendo, usawa na haki kukumbatia chama na siasa za kijambazi kama zinazoendeshwa na CCM kwa sasa ambako rasilimali za umma na maadili ya umma vimehujumiwa na kikundi cha watu wachache. Mfano mzuri ni Kenya, ambako mchungaji wa kujipachika aitwaye Pius Muiru anayesifika kwa kuwadanganya Wakenya kuwa angewaonyesha Bwana Yesu, asifanye hivyo, anagombea urais! Pia tumekuwa na mchungaji Christopher Mtikila ambaye naye kama wenzake, huwa haishi utatanishi. Kwanini wachungaji hawa wasivue magwanda yao ya kidini na kuvaa ya kisiasa au kuachana na siasa wakamtumikie huyo Mungu wao? Je, wanachofanya watu hawa ni kuonyesha uongo wa watawala wetu ambao wamekuwa wakituhofisha kuchanganya dini na siasa wakati wao na viongozi wa dini wanakula sahani moja? Jiulize ni mara ngapi watawala wanaojulikana kwa ufisadi na jinai zao wanakaribishwa kuchangia miradi ya dini bila kwanza kuulizwa walivyozipata mali zao? Katika kitabu changu kinachotegemewa kuchapishwa hivi karibuni kiitwacho “Saa ya Ukombozi” kitakachochapishwa na mtunzi maarufu wa kitabu cha Mwalimu Mkuu, Paschally Mayega, nitadurusu “ndoa” hii ya watawala na viongozi wa dini wanaotumia madaraka yao kuwapotosha wananchi. Hivi sasa ipo tabia si kwa Mchungaji Rwakatare, bali kwa baadhi ya wachungaji ambao wameamua kuwachezea wananchi viini macho kwa kujivika utukufu wakati ukweli wanachotafuta ni mali na madaraka chini ya roho mtakakitu huku wakijionyesha kama wana roho mtakatifu. Hivi mtu kama Rwakatare anayejulikana kwa mahubiri yake mazuri na matamu, atashindwa kuwashawishi wafuasi wake kuiunga mkono CCM kwenye uchaguzi? Je, huyu atakuwa na tofauti na masheikh waliowahi kukemewa na CCM kuwa walikuwa wakitumia misikiti kuhubiri siasa zenye kukinufaisha Chama cha Wananchi (CUF) kwenye chaguzi zilizopita? Au tuseme dini na siasa vinapochanganywa kwa maslahi ya CCM vinaacha kuwa na athari tunazotahadharishwa nazo? Je, hapa nani anamdanganya nani, hadi lini? Je, huu si uoza wa kitaasisi ambapo CCM imejipenyeza kwenye vyombo vya habari, madhehebu ya dini, vyama vya michezo, biashara na nyanja zote za maisha? Huu ni unazi mamboleo ambao mwisho wake si mzuri kama tutauachia uote mizizi. Si siri kuwa kwa kiongozi wa dini kufanya siasa sawa na kuitumia nafasi hiyo kuwahujumu walio wengi. Kama wanasiasa wafanyabiashara wanaotumia nafasi zao kuuibia umma na kujineemesha, viongozi wa dini kwenye siasa wanaweza kutumia nafasi zao na ushawishi wao kupata misamaha ya kodi na upendeleo mwingine huku wakiwagawa wananchi kulingana na wanavyotaka. Kuna haja ya kuwabana wakatamka wazi kuwa siasa na dini vinachanganyika kwa wote bila kujali itikadi ya mtu. Kuna haja ya kuruhusu vyama vyenye muelekeo wa kidini kushiriki siasa kama wajanja wachache wataruhusiwa kutumikia dini na siasa kwa wakati mmoja au kuwapiga marufuku kama vilivyopigwa marufuku vyama vya kidini, kikabila na kijimbo hata kijinsia. Kama jinai hii itaachiwa iendelee kutamalaki kwa vile wahusika wanakula sahani moja na watawala, kuna siku umma utaasi na kufichua unafiki na uongo huu wa wazi. Tujalie Rwakatare angekuwa ameupata ubunge kwa tiketi ya chama cha upinzani, CCM isingeacha kuibua rungu lake la kuchanganya siasa na dini kumpatiliza na kumshikisha adabu. Tunasema hivi kutokana na ushahidi wa wazi. Nani mara hii kasahau maneno ya Waziri Mkuu mstaafu, Fredrick Sumaye alipowaambia wafanyabiashara waliokuwa wamejiunga na upinzani kuwa wakitaka mambo yao yawanyookee wajiunge na CCM? Na kweli baada ya maneno haya kutamkwa tuliwaona wafanyabiashara kama Thomas Ngawaiya na wengine ambao biashara zao zilikuwa zimedoda kujiunga na CCM na mambo yao kuwanyookea. Tunakumbuka Mwenyekiti wa UDP, John Cheyo alivyogeuka bubu kuhusu kadhia ya mauaji ya Bulyanhulu baada ya kutishiwa kunyang’anywa jumba lake. Hivi sasa UDP haina tofauti na CCM B! Na kwa salata na jinai hii, bado inapewa ruzuku toka kwenye hazina ya umma kwa ufisadi inaoufanya. Hitimisho. Hakika ubunge wa Gertrude Rwakatare uwe kichocheo cha kuikataa hadaa na maangamizi ya maslahi ya umma yanayosababishwa na maslahi ya kisiasa ya kikundi kidogo cha watu. nkwazigatsha@yahoo.com

Dirge for Chiume & Africa with her mad business!

The dirge for Kanyama Chiume-Doyen.

It has taken me a long time to morn Kanyama Chiume. Much has already been written about this doyen. He is no more yeah. He’s gone and he will never return.

Is he totally gone? Nay! His legacy will live on beyond imagination. His selfless life can never varnish. How can it if at all those he lived and died for are still living on?

The then Malawian dissidents running away from the manacles of their tin pot dictator, Hastings Kamuzu Banda (May God curse and punish him) still remember how Chiume- at the then Pugu road- used to be their second father in a foreign country. They still vividly remember how he used to provide shelter and logistic for them ready to take on challenge in a new beginning in a new land.

Indeed, the guy was connected and blessed. He was bigger than life itself. A small body by stature but a lion of man that he was! Chiume you are no more. Death is our sine quo non on this earth. We shall miss you. We shall always salute you as we honour your noble and exemplary life.

Father I am a good orator. But when it comes to tell the world what you meant and weighed, I feel small and a dwarf altogether. The grief thereof has overcome me. Though I am trying to forgather myself, the loss has heavily tormented me. Allow me to summarily aver that you were no normal person. What a fig tree even magnolia fir one! This is true not flibbertigibbet. You were a huge tree under which many hid.

May the almighty God grant you a peaceful rest in your new life? May God reward you for your noble and unique love of human rights?
May God reciprocate on our behalf?
Go dear.
Go father.
Go doyen.
Go hero.
Go true son of Africa.
Accord my homily greetings to my father your best friend FN-(Mhango) as you used to call him.


Your son N. N Mhango.












In my neighborhood there is this Tim Horton's coffee bar. Time and again I go there to buy a cup of coffee to kill the cold. This place is cold: no doubt about that.Something close to a quarter of a litre costs me two dollars plus.

One block ahead there is Sobeys. A quarter kilo of greens, shabby ones of course compared to ones at home, drains me of four dollars. One avocado begs a dollar-seventy. An onion relieves my pocket a dollar-plus. Embe dodo begs a dollar-fifty. This is my life and the list is too long. Let me stop here as far as western business is driving me mad.



Looking at the picture above as you embark on the price comparing games, you will find that I pay almost ninety-odd per cents of what the actual producer in Africa receives if the said items are imported from Africa .

These producers receive between one percent and one and a half percent of his produces. Why? Because some con men and women in Brussels , Paris , New York and London- in supermarkets and the governments- decide how much the producer is to get. Here is where WTO comes in. Hither is where you can trace the core of poverty and desperation of Africa and other so-called third world.

While these fat cats are driving posh cars and enjoying all leisures the world has to offer, the farmers in Karagwe, Korogwe, Kieni, Githakwa and Ngimu are dying of malnutrition and poverty!


Look at the minerals. All so called international-cum-world markets are in either America or European capitals! The con men in Brussels who pretend to know more about tanzanite, gold or diamond get away with ninety percent while our people are sinking in destitution. Don't forget their nephews in high echelons of power in Africa.


Come to stuffs like automobiles, chemicals, machines et cetera from west to Africa , the situation is the same. It is not a big deal to buy and maintain a car here. But doing the same in Africa , woooi it is but headache.


These guys benefit in two way-traffic-like business. Africa loses to the contrary. It is time that our rulers encourage our farmers to produce what they can eat instead of wasting their time and energy serving western con men who use us under the sweet language of cash crops.
Which cash crops are these if at all what we get after selling them can not buy the food we need most?

These colonial things known as cash crops are but traps that Africa has had since independence. These guys know Africans can not eat or use these stuffs. That's why they give us a raw deal. They surely know we have nothing to do with them.

It is a shame for a farmer in Kilimanjaro to produce coffee expecting to sell it so as to buy expired rice imported from Thailand! Why not concentrate on growing maize?

These purgatorial crops are wasting our future just because of the motivation of getting cash that has never done anything to us. How can one feed a goat before feeding himself? Shall any calamity strike a man can fight for a beast but the beast will never fight for him in the first place.



If anything, Africa has failed her farmers. Unfortunately albeit, this exploitation does not even fall under the cocktail of western self proclaimed Human Rights Prophets! To me, political rights are as good and as useless and meaningless without economic ones and clout.


While Africa is not allowed to export processed goods to west which dumps whatever rotten stuffs it has, west does so as pleased!

Tanzania is a good producer of fruits. Try to process and pack them then export the juice to west, you will face a million and one obstacles. But again the same victim ( Tanzania ) allows in many rotten artificial juices from the same so called developed countries even from Middle East!

Again we import unwanted toys from various places so as to hamper creativity in our kids. Yet we don’t export the same volume of sculptures to the same country we import from!

Another living example is this: many Chinese herbalists and traditional healers have flocked our country opening hundreds of the so-called Chinese clinics which prescribe every thing in Chinese we don’t know! But if you want to know how Africa has never deserved to live, send some African herbalists to china. They will never be given visas save to be licensed to operate. Why should we trust them whilst they don’t trust us? Whose fault is this?


Britain, Spain, Portugal and France have no mines. But yet they are richer than we are just because they stole our minerals during colonial times and they still maintain to host dubious so-called world markets! Why don’t we press charges against them?

Do we need PhDs or expatriates to aggressively voice our anger to seek redress? Bear with me. Africa needs to press for change of paradigm instead of painstakingly wasting time and resources serving western isms such as globalization, privatization and other braggadocio-cum madness shall we aim at forging ahead.

By changing paradigm from within Africa itself, the so called rich country will resist and shall we press on. At last they will comply. For they need us more than we do them. This is what is going on in Zimbabwe . Those guys issued all threats to Mugabe who ignored them now they are talking about peace and reconciliation!

It is simple western countries especially those of Europe can not survive without exploiting third world countries. They use whatever internationalism to humiliate and exploit third world countries which are made to believe that they can't live without the west; A big lie. How can Africa act like chickens which produce what they don't eat and eat what they don't produce and expect to prosper? What madness-cum biz! What do I know?
So long from Canada .
nkwazigatsha@yahoo.com

Changudoas and Changupakas beware!

I know how sex business or whatever terminology, is booming in Dar es Salaam nowadays. I know how it has its headquarters along Ohio , Kinondoni and other places to mention but a few.

One would wonder: what is wrong with me to write to these twilight girls, women and men! There is nothing wrong indeed. What is wrong with one becoming jackal-of-all-trades? But immorally! I doubt.

Given that this thing does exist despite its negativity and sensitivity even denial, it is there and it has become as normal as other things. Sex workers as they are known here, have been and will be there whether we like or not. That is why their dirty job is known as an ancient work in western world! It is even legal here but not at home.

I very much am aware how discussing this thing provokes the flow of adrenalines in some section of our people. But again, no way I can pooh pooh it given that it involves our people even some big guns in the first place. I am not saying I know those big cheeses. But I am sure some do though not all. Mind you.


Now that it involves our men and women who operate without borders, it is eminent to warn all of them known and unknown. This sounds better. You never know. You can find yourself blaming vishawishi, Satan even the devil after coming face to face and a prey of these twilight daughters of Eve and sons of Adam. You know what follows after such an encounter. That is not my concern.

You pant wearers, you too, are to blame. You pretend you are busy at office so as to return back home late. You cheat your wife: you had an extra job. Yes, an extra job; but not in the office. Many who thought are smart have tomfoolery killed their loved ones. Yes. I can not blame everything on females. Do they do it alone? Who buy them? So this is an everyman war. Those who are hard headed so as to ignore, be braced for weapons of mass destruction in the form of starehe.


It came to light that some rude guys have intentionally decided to turn themselves into weapons of mass destruction. You know what? They intentionally spread HIV/AIDS. They seem to be on the loose to make sure that they return the number with other innocent sinners!


This incident is third. For when the first and second occurred I thought nothing else would follow thereafter. It has been reported that Robin Lee St. Claire (26) who is not even a prostitute here because she is not registered. She is an HIV+ bomb who has already endangered the lives of others. Living in the conurbation of Toronto , for reasons known to her has decided to die with others. Whew. Some would holler. She is offering her… God forgive me: I can’t utter this libido thing. You know what I mean.


Forget the bomb at dirty job of decimating God’s creatures especially those wearing long pants and growing mustaches. The thing is some gown wearers are vectoring you guys to appease their anger in that they acquired those millions of viruses from a pant wearers like you. So beware.

The lady mentioned above and the like would like you to taste their cocktail of death but on your own risk and possible your wife’s.


I have written this. Because I know how a Mzungu is revered. Everybody thinks he is Mr. Moneybags. Beware. Things have completely changed. I don’t mean all Mzungus are HIV+ and would like to see as many graves as possible. But again looking at how they are worshipped as far as money making is concerned, shall they venture into our Ohio streets chances are that many will perish.


The watalii you revere, some of them, quote me rightly, not all of them, are sambazaing the viruses at any expense. But beware. Some do. Now who is safer and dangerous? This is none of my biz. Importantly one thing can help; Condom. I know even if I pretend to be more godly and curse this thing, again, the thing is and you will still use it or not depending on your risk taking ability. For those whose method is always money-by-all-means, I know I am yelling.

Life is sweeter and dearer than anything. It is upon you to decide. I know I won’t be in the pitch with you when the game commences. I know you badly need and adore that almighty dollar a lot more. But your life means more than a mere almighty paper known as dollar.


Additionally it came to light that many westerners have been indicted for doing illegal and unnatural things in Thailand where they are defiling child prostitutes. Some have even crossed the line. They take snaps and distribute on line and milk a lot of dollars! Beware. You can find your dirty and nude photo circulating the world over. People in Mwanza know what I mean when they refer to one dirty priest.


To make sure that Africans are protecting themselves, they must take a leaf from westerners- they screen every bin Adam from Africa who seeks visa to go to west which in essence is more sexually rotten than Africa.

I know one can say I have seen many come and go. How can this guy teach me how to go about the biz I have been doing for years? Beware. Things do change every moment. Also it may be just a good luck to attain that age. But mind you: God has a lot of lives to look after.

I hope the lesson is simple and clear. Beware of HIV and its tricks, theatrics and hidden ways and humans who would like to double the number of fatalities we have already witnessed.
Those who are in love with becoming a static thing under the soil in a rectangular kind of abode, keep in on.


On the other hand the authorities need to think about medical screening the in-coming watalii. If their countries can medically screen us saying it as good precaution kind of thing, why don’t we do this good thing for them too?

Do not worry that they will stop from coming. They will come. They don’t come simply because they want to revamp our economies. They come because they want to see what they see and do what they do. Life is like that. You can not have all endowments.

I repeat. Changudoas men and women, known and unknown please heed my voice and beware as you take all precautions.


So long from Canada ,
nkwazigatsha@yahoo.com

Miaka miwili Ikulu na matokeo ya utafiti wa Kijiweni na REDET

BAADA ya REDET kuja na matokeo ya utafiti juu ya maoni ya wanakaya juu ya utendaji wa Mkuu, na Kijiwe kimetoka na matokeo yake.

Ni miaka miwili tangu tuukwae uongozi wa kasi mpya nguvu mpya na ari mpya. Tuliahidiwa Kanani tukaambua balaa.

Tulitoa kura tupate maendeleo na maisha bora. Sasa tunahangaika na kuendelea katika kutoendelea huku maisha yakiwa bora maisha badala ya maisha bora! Tumo msambweni tukilalama na kutumiwa kama wanyama wa mizigo!

Matokeo ya utafiti yafuatayo yaliendeshwa na Kidet au Kijiwe Democracy and Transparency.

Tofauti na REDET, Kidet si NGO ya ulaji wala kujikomba kwa yeyote.

Chini ya wakurugenzi wa Kidet, Profesa Mpayukaji Msemambovu na Profesa Msomi Mkatatamaa, yafuatayo ndiyo matokeo ya utafiti uliohusisha walevi, vibaka, wachumia tumbo na wajigongaji-bootlickers and choirsingers.

Hawa tumewapata kwenye mabaa, madanguro, vijiwe vya kahawa na vya kuuzia bangi na gongo. Kwa upande wa wanasiasa na wachumia tumbo tuliwapata kwenye mikutano na makongamano ya kuelezea na kutafsiri Li-bajeti la Iron Lady akisaidiwa na Mr Eddie Lwasha.

Wajumbe wa kamati ya Kidet walitolewa mkuku maeneo ya wazito kwa kupigiwa zegere la mwizi huku walinzi na mbwa wa getini wakitoa mpya kwa kutishia kuwanyotoa roho wadodosaji wetu.

Kidet ilizunguka kaya nzima kwa mtaji wa pesa ya kahawa na kuibuka na yafuatayo.

Kwanza, wanakaya waliokuwa wakimmwagia ujiko Mkuu wanaonekana kubadilika vilivyo. Wanasema wazi kuwa amewaangusha na kuwasaliti. Utafiti unaonyesha kuwa kiwango cha kuungwa mkono na kuaminiwa kimeshuka kutoka asilimia 89 hadi 39.

Katika nyanja ya uongozi bora, Mkuu ameibuka na asilimia 11. Asilimia hizi amezipata kutokana na kuweza kuunganisha nyumba zake na marafiki kwenye ulaji wake.

Ukilinganisha na asilimia nyingi alizokuwa nazo miaka miwili iliyopita, ni kwamba Mkuu ametoka kapa kwenye uongozi bora. Amefanikiwa kwenye kutosema ukweli kulikoweza kuwafanya wananchi wasiingie mitaani baada ya matarajio yao kupotea.

Pili kwenye uwajibikaji ameambulia asilimia tano au kutoka kavu kabisa. Hata hizi asilimia tano amezizoea kutokana na kuwajibika kwa marafiki na familia yake.

Tatu kwenye eneo la maendeleo, Mkuu ameendelea sana kuanguka kutokana na kuelekeza maendeleo kwenye jamaa zake na chama chake huku wanakaya wakikosa maendeleo kabisa. Kitaalamu amepata asilimia zinazotafsirika kama HOVYO. Yaani Hakuna organizasheni, visheni yeyote na open policy. Uchumi umezidi kuendelea katika kifo cha kuporomoka na kutegemea takwimu za wajanja fulani.

Kwenye eneo la mipango, Mkuu amepata alama tisa ambazo kitaalamu zinatafsiriwa kama CHOVU yaani Choka mbaya, hali holelea, ovyo, vurumai kiutawala na ufisadi.

Kutengeneza ajira: Mkuu amepata alama maarufuku kama CHOO. Yaani chakavu, hasara, ovyo na ombaomba.

Tahadhari: Msomaji inabidi uvumilie kupambana na maneno (terminologies) magumu kutokana na hali halisi ya mambo na kwa miaka miwili mafanikio yaliyotokea ni hasi.

Kwa mfano, kumekuwa na mafanikio kwa kundi dogo la wanasiasa na wasaka ngawira wengine ambao wamefanikiwa kuzidisha utajiri wao na kukuza mazingira ya kuiibia kaya kama vile kusaini mikataba mingine feki huku ikiundwa tume ya ulaji kwa nia ya kuwazuga wanakaya na kuwachanganya wapingaji. Rejea kutaka kunyakuliwa kwa Kabwela ambaye chama chake kimeonyesha ukomavu kwa kuliepa zengwe zima.

Matokeo ya jumla yanaonyesha kuwa baraza la ulaji la mawaziro limefanikiwa kumpiga mweleka mkuu Mkuu kwa kutofanya kazi yoyote zaidi ya biashara hasara ya kunyakuwa na kutengeneza njuluku.

Waziri aliyetia fora miongoni mwa waliotia fora ni Kadamage akifuatiwa na Eddie, Miramba aliyetia fora kwa kusamehe njuluku.

Pia yumo Kingungo Ngumbaru Mweupe aliyetia fora kwa kupayuka na kuzomewa. Mwingine ni Forofwesa Petero Msulwa kwa kutia mtima nyongo kwenye njuluku za wasomi wa vyuo vikubwa.

Mwingine aliyeshika nafasi za juu kwenye kupiga mieleka ni waziro, Banado Maembe aliyetia fora kuwadanganya walalanjaa kuwa mambo yanakwenda bien kiasi cha kumwagiwa ujiko ugenini huku wajumbe wa nchi za ugenini walioko kwenye Kaya wakishangaa na kusema wazi kuwa si kweli waziro alihadaa umma naye akajihadaa pia!

Katika taasisi zilizochangia mafanikio haya ya maanguko zipo taasisi tatu zilizotia fora. Ipo Apitielo, Richmonduli na Do-wans. Hizi zilifanikiwa kutengeneza njuluku kwenye sekta chovu ya nishati ambapo ilitangazwa na kuzimwa kuwa bei ya nishati za mataa zingepandishwa bei ili kufidia njuluku zilizogawiwa kwa magwiji hao wa ulaji.

Hali ya mambo ilifurahisha sana hadi kiongozi mmoja wa nchi ya Kanata au Kijiji kuzoza mbovu kuwa nchi yake isilaumiwe kwa upotevu wa njuluku na maslahi kwenye mawe yenye thamani yaliyonyimwa thamani kutokana na taratibu za kijambazi za wakuu wa Kaya.

Mapendekezo ya KIDET.

Mosi - Mkuu kuvunja genge la ulaji na kuunda kitu kipya chenye njemba zinazojua kupiga mzigo zenye roho takatifu tofauti na zilizopo zilizo na roho takakitu.

Pili - baada ya kuvunja genge la maulaji na kuwatimua wahusika, Mkuu kwanza ataje mimali yake na familia yake huku wahusika wakifikishwa kwa Pilato ili wafungwe na kunyang’anywa mimali waliyokwanyua.

Tatu - chama cha maulaji (CCM-si chama cha Mapinduzi uchwara) kivunjwe au kurejeshwa kwa makapuku waliokianzisha wakati wa nabii Musa.

Nne - elimu ya uraia itolewe hadi kwenye mabaa na madanguro huku maandamano yakiingizwa kwenye katiba.

Tano - njuluku zilizopatikana kutokana na ufisadi, mikataba, uuzaji wa magogo, uuaji wa wanyama vitalu na migodi zilizotoroshwa zirejeshwe nchini. Hapa kampuni la Deep Green wa magrini lilitia fora kwa kutoroshea njuluku nje ya nchi hasa kwenye visiwa fulani.

Sita - wanakaya wasipewe aiskrimu takrima kwenye uchaguzi wala ahadi hewa na za hovyo.

Saba - kiongozi atayeunguza kwa kuongopa atiwe bakora hamsa na kushushwa jukwaani huku akizuiliwa kushiriki siasa maisha.

Saba - wabunge wazururaji wapigwe marufuku kuzurura Bongo na wakija kwenye vikao vya kijiwe wawe na vibali maalum. Pia mishahara yao na ya mawaziro ipunguzwe na kulingana na ya walimu na walinzi.

Nane - kumetolewa suluhu ya migogoro ya miungano kama ule wa Zenj. Muungano uvunjwe ili kuepuka migogoro na mitafaruku huku kiranja wa Zenj akichaguliwa na wanakijiwe wa Zenj kwa maelekezo toka Zenj si Idodomya.

Kitu kingine kilichobainika kwenye utafiti ni kuchoka kwa katiba ya ‘kaya’ ambayo licha ya kuwa na viraka ni ya mwaka 47. Kidet inapendekeza iandikwe mpya kwa kasi mpya, ari mpya, nguvu mpya na watu wapya.

Tisa - Kidet inapendekeza kosa la ukeketaji wa kimawazo liingizwe kwenye ‘penal code’ au kanuni ya jinai na adhabu ndogo ya miaka 50 itolewe kwa watakaotenda kosa hili.

Yote tisa. Kumi: Ni kwamba Mkuu aanze kuwajibika kuendesha kaya badala ya kuwaachia maswahiba na warongo wachache kumchafulia kwa kula bila kunawa huku wakijidai wanawajali wanakaya wanaowatafuna kama keki.

Kidet ina mpango wa kuchapisha kitabu chenye kurasa 1000 kuelezea upya jinsi Kaya inavyoweza kurudishwa kwenye hadhi yake aliyoiacha Musa kabla ya Farao na Delila kuinajisi Kaya takatifu ya watulivu na wenye mapendo vitu vinavyoanza kutumiwa na mafisadi kuwaumiza wanakaya.

Taarifa hii imeandaliwa na Profesa Emiritus Mpayukaji Msemambovu wa Kidet. P.o Box Mafichoni kwa Mfuga mbwa.

mpayukaji@yahoo.com

Lowassa; uhuru wanaoutaka Watanzania ni huu

NILISOMA taarifa kuwa Waziri Mkuu, Edward Lowassa, licha ya kuchukizwa, amesikitishwa na kutoandikwa makala za kutosha kuhusiana na uhuru wa Tanzania. Lowassa amekwenda hatua nyingi mbele kwa kuwashangaa wachambuzi walioonyesha wazi kutoridhika na uhuru wa Tanzania wenye umri wa miaka 46. Japo ni haki yake kikatiba, hata wapingaji ni haki yao kadhalika.

Lowassa alikaririwa akisema: "Hivi kweli mtu mmoja anaandika katika makala yake kuwa miaka 46 ya Uhuru iliyopita ni bure, je, kweli hakuna kilichofanyika?’ alihoji.

“Hali hii imenisikitisha sana kama Uhuru huu usipoelezewa vizuri historia yake na sisi wenyewe nani atauelezea,”` alisema Lowassa.

Kwa Lowassa uhuru wa Tanzania una mengi na ya maana kiasi cha kushangaa ni kwa nini wenzake hawayaoni. Lowassa na wenzake wanaofaidi matunda ya uhuru wana kila sababu na haki ya kushangaa.

Maana mwenye shibe hamjui mwenye njaa. Kwa mtu wa kada ya Lowassa ambaye amekulia na sasa kuanza kuzeekea serikalini, uhuru wa Tanzania ni wa maana sana. Kwa Lowassa na wenzake ambao wao na watoto wao ndiyo serikali, wana kila sababu ya kushangaa hata kusikitika.

Nani anatarajia mtoto wa kigogo kama Lowassa anayefanya kazi Benki Kuu na watoto wengine lukuki wa vigogo, uhuru wa Tanzania una kila maana na umuhimu. Je, kwa wale wanaotumika badala ya kutumikiwa na uhuru anatarajia nini?

Badala ya Lowassa kulalamikia na kushangaa, inabidi ajiulize ni kwa nini watu wameandika makala zenye mawazo na misimamo tofauti na yake. Walichoandika wachambuzi wengi kuwa uhuru wa Tanzania si chochote si lolote wana sababu tosha na zenye siha.

Kwa mtu anayeshuhudia madudu yaliyofanyika baada ya Mwalimu Nyerere kuachia ngazi, hawezi kuona maana ya uhuru. Maana uhuru haujakidhi matarajio ya wananchi. Utayakidhije iwapo watanzania wengi wanazidi kuwa maskini huku mafisadi wachache wakishirikiana na wawekezaji wameiteketeza na kuitelekeza nchi yetu?

Ni mtu gain, kwa mfano, anayeshuhudia malori ya mchanga uliojaa madini yakikatiza nchi kwenda Tanga bandarini kuusafirisha nje anaweza kuonyesha matunda ya uhuru? Ni ‘mjinga’ gani ambaye mtoto wake anazungushwa kila uchao akihangaishwa kupata mkopo wa kusomea anaweza kusema uhuru umefana?

Kwa akina Lowassa waliosoma bure wakatunga sheria za kulipisha elimu iliyosahauliwa, uhuru ni mafanikio yasiyo kifani.

Kwa akina Lowassa ambao serikali yao imekuwa bingwa wa kashfa na ahadi zizotekelezeka bila kuadhibiwa uhuru ni kila kitu. Wapo wenye uhuru wa kufanya watakavyo bila kushughulikiwa. Rejea kashfa kama zile za BoT, Buzwagi, Richmond, IPTL, Deep Green, Takrima, ununuzi wa rada na ndege feki ya rais, utoroshwaji wa mitaji na wafanyabiashara wa kigeni na uchafu mwingine.

Leo sitashangaa Wahindi na Wachina waliotamalaki nchini wakiwa na utajiri mkubwa kwa kusherehekea na kushangilia uhuru ilhali watanzania wazawa wakiendelea kuwa vibarua.

Ni Mtanzania gani anayepandishiwa bei ya maji na umeme huku serikali na wafanyabiashara wezi kama ilivyotokea Tanga Cement wakifaidi vitu hivi bure, atashangilia uhuru? Hebu arejee kiwanda kimoja cha Dar es Salaam cha kusindika mafuta kilichobainika kujiunganishia maji bila kulipa na kisifanywe kitu.

Hivi Lowassa anatarajia Watanzania ‘wanaoganga njaa’ wauone uhuru? Uhuru siyo hotuba za watawala. Uhuru ni shibe, uwajibikaji, maendeleo na mabadiliko. Hivi kweli wazanzibari waliopoteza ndugu zao kwenye vipigo vya FFU wakati wa chaguzi za kubambikiwa watawala wanaweza kuuhisi uhuru?

Hivi wanafunzi wanaokalia mawe karne ya 21 wanaweza kuuona uhuru? Je, wajawazito na wagonjwa wanaolazwa kitanda kimoja wanne Mwananyamala, Amana, Temeke na kwingineko nao ni huru? Je wale waliopasuliwa vichwa badala ya miguu na miguu badala ya vichwa nao ni huru?

Je, wachimbaji wadogo wadogo wanaofukuzwa kwenye ardhi ya nchi yao kama wakimbizi nao ni huru? Wakulima wanaotumiwa walanguzi wa mazao yao au kulazimika kuyauza kimagendo au wavuvi wanaokula mapanki nao ni huru? Kama wako huru basi uhuru huu ni kejeli na fedheha. Bila haki uhuru unakuwa sawa na wendawazimu. Bila nidhamu ya matumizi na uwajibikaji wa watumishi wa umma, uhuru ni matusi.

Tumsaidie Lowassa kuelewa wale anaowaona kama wamekejeli uhuru wanachomaanisha. Leo tuna serikali inayotumia pesa yetu vibaya huku ikishindwa wazi wazi kusimamia raslimali zetu. Je, kwa kuendelea na kuwa serikali zigo iliyojaa mafisadi wanaojulikana tunaweza kujisifu tuko huru? Wako wapi waliotuhumiwa kuliibia taifa pesa na kuwekeza kwenye kuchaguliwa?

Japo tunadanganyana kuwa wanachunguzwa na wenzao, ukweli ni kwamba hakuna la maana la kutarajiwa iwapo watuhumiwa wale wale wamo maofisini wakiharibu ushahidi na kuvuta kamba wajuavyo. Kwao uhuru wa kuharibu na kuneemeka ni jambo la maana wakati kwetu ni hatari na hasara.

Miaka 46 tangu tupate uhuru tunazidiwa hata na nchi tulizozikomboa wenyewe. Hebu Lowassa aangalie Angola na Msumbiji atajua ninachomaanisha. Hebu Lowassa atafute sababu ya shilingi yetu kupitwa na sarafu kama ya Kenya, Rwanda hata Burundi atajua ni kwanini kuna watu tusioona mantiki ya uhuru.

Lowassa inabidi aambiwe hata kama atachukia au kutokubaliana kuwa baada ya kung’atuka kwa Mwalimu watanzania walitumiwa na wasaka ngawira wachache walioalikana na hata kurithishana madaraka kwa mbinu chafu kama ilivyokuja kubainika kuwa uongozi nchini umekuwa ukitafutwa kwa rushwa na kuendeshwa kwa kujuana huku umma ukihujumiwa na kusahaulika.

Hivi Lowassa anaweza kueleza ni kwa nini yeye na wenzake wameshikwa na kigugumizi kutaja mali zao? Anaweza kuelezea pesa wanazotoa kwenye kuchangia miradi mbali mbali huku wakiishi maisha ya kifahari walizipataje? Lowassa atusaidie kueleza ni kwanini tofauti kati ya walionacho na wasionacho inazidi kuongezeka kama kweli uhuru wetu tulioaminishwa ungeleta usawa na maendeleo una maana.

Huwezi kuwa na nchi inayoishi kwa kukopa na kutegemea wafadhili kuendesha maisha yake kwa zaidi ya asilimia 40 ukadai uko huru kwa maana sahihi. Nchi inayogawa hovyo hovyo raslimali zake siyo huru. Nchi inayoendeshwa na sera za kukopa na kuamriwa na Washington na London si huru. Nchi isiyo na sera wala falsafa inayoelewaka kiungozi si huru hata kama itajidanganya na kuwadanganya wengine kuwa iko huru.

Uhuru ni wananchi kuendesha nchi yao kwa kanuni na sera zitokanazo na wao. Uhuru ni kuwa na serikali inayowajibika kwa umma na siyo kwa watu wachache.

Huwezi ukawa na umma wa wananchi zaidi ya nusu uishio chini ya dola moja ya Kimarekani ukajidanganya kuwa uhuru umeleta mafanikio au kukidhi yalitorajiwa. Huwezi ukawa na watawala wasiokwenda na wakati ukasema uko huru. Kama huu ni uhuru basi ni udhuru si kingine.

Wanaokula na kusaza, kupora watakavyo bila kushughulikiwa ni huru. Lakini wale wasiokuwamo kwenye genge hili si huru bali mateka wa genge hili.

Nafasi haitoshi.

Nkwazigatsha@yahoo.com

Will Kenyans make it through at this cross road?

My heart breaks so as to make me sob when I remember the 2002 general elections in Kenya. When I look back at high hopes and sighs of relief that Kenyans had-which turned to be a hoax- I honestly go berserk. I trust no player in this stage-cum road show (elections).


In 2002, Kenyans ushered in Moi Kibaki as they booted out Daniel arap Mwai (not their real names). In other words, Kenyans voted for the same wine in a different bottle.

Whenever I read or hear of the marriage of convenience between Mwai Kibaki and Daniel arap Moi, I sigh and shake my head. How wouldn’t I if this atones the sins of Moi as it blesses those of Kibaki? Refer to the vanishing of Goldenberg after the coming of Anglo-Leasing.

Once again, the session and season of lies and braggadocios are in. Magicians in the cloak of politics and deliverance are on the arena busy performing. Kibaki wants the mandate to finish his business. This time around, he has other two potential presidential materials, Raila Oginga Odinga and Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka who weighed in to give him a heck.
I have been reading and hearing many promises of heaven, paradise, Shangri-La valleys, Canaan you name it! I wonder though. What new do these guys have? I wonder with reasons. I still remember how Orange-Narc’s squabbles and machinations doomed the draft constitution unreasonably. I even remember the pomposity and huge support for Kibaka when he was scheming to unseat Moi (KANU).

Fortunately I was in Nairobi when this beautiful document was slain. Kibaki promised to deliver it. Raila and his whiz kids blocked him to see to it that their foe does not deliver and score. Here, what they considered is nothing but their political glory as opposed to hoi polloi’s emancipation! Sadly this has been the order of the day Africa over!

Now here we are. They want more! For them the constitution is nothing given that they can get away with it! This, if anything, is the juncture at which I see colours as far as who suits to become the president of Kenya.

Frankly speaking, the blood of the draft constitution is on the hands of Kibaki, Raila and Musyoka in the first place. If Kenyans bother to look at the true trend and trajectory of their nation, chances are; there is no worthy candidate for them to pick for president. How will they pardon this sin not to mention -needed and hard earned- millions of shillings lost?
Hence, in this tragic-comedy, Kenyans must ask crucial questions especially on how much was delivered and not.

Reasonable reasons must be adduced. Did the common man in Kibera, Kawangware, Majengo Uthiru and what not get what he expected of them? If not, why?
though Kibaki boasts of turning the economy around, looking at it practically, this is the subject to debating. statistically he performed miraculously. But again the common man in slums feeds not on statistics. His is to see not to be told. Seeing is believing.
I spent my three years in Kenya at Valley Arcade. I interacted and discussed issues with many Kenyans. One thing, thank God, I tackled with those I was lucky to meet with, is the fable of the rampancy of tribalism.


I am still convincingly positive to aver that, in essence; there is no tribalism in Kenya save confusion, illusion, hallucination and Kenyans being hoodwinked and taken for ride under "tribalistic" sympathy and apathy.


In Lavington every who has is of the same tribe with anybody who also has. Being a Tanzanian, I thought, I would be discriminated against. Nay! I was comfortably at home.
You know what? If the freedom of Kenya makes sense, it makes more sense even to Indians in Industrial area than slum dwellers. Slums produce and breed "criminals and Mungiki" whilst Lavington and Industrial areas produce rain makers and sharp shooters like Kamlesh-Kamani and Kibaki-Raila-Kalonzo! It is easier for Moi to iron out the difference between him and Kibaki than the Mlalahoi to do the same with him.


Looking at the type of life people-forgotten ones- live in above mentioned slums compared to Lavington, Muthaiga and the likes, one can comfortably assert and draw conclusion that Kenya has two tribes only-those who have and who have not.
There are those enjoying the fruits of freedom and those bearing the pangs and twangs of freedom.


To be open, to me, freedom is mockery even an abuse for the people living in slums (in Africa) unnecessarily. Freedom is meaningful for the people living in posh and well to do suburbs. How can a person sharing sewage with pigs and all beasts of burden feel and enjoy freedom? Sadly though, the same is a good voter and burden bearer!
How can a person groaning and gasping to put a full meal on the table -not to mention where to comfortably put his ribs- feel and enjoy the so-called freedom? This is but the freedom of doom! If he does, either he doesn’t know what he is enjoying or he is crazy and foolish. What does the situation on the ground tell?

In the neighbouring Tanzania, the hoi polloi who were tired of big headed Mkapa’s regime, goofed by trusting the current regime. I still sadly and vividly remember. Tanzanians voted in the so-called Tsunami magnitude as far as victory for the current president, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete is concerned! Gosh! Ask them today. Where are they and in what situation? Of course, they are lamenting and regretting as to why the committed this sacrilege.
If it were my venue and jurisdiction of decision making and command of the situation, I would honestly and strongly aver that Kenyans, like Tanzanians, are facing the hardest moment of their time to choose among and from many evils.


Let us face it and say it. Africa is cascading down just because of having self seekers in political outfits. Beware of grandiose promises and sweet words.

To me, neither Kibaki, Raila nor Kalonzo fits to be president of Kenya. If any of them wishes and thinks to be one, he better explain reasonably why he did what he did for the failure of the nation. Again, all of them must seek forgiveness for doping Kenyans especially the hoi polloi.

By the way, politicians can say and promise any and everything. When it comes to delivering they are all the babies of the same mother-duplicity.
nkwazigatsha@yahoo.com

Tutashikiliwa mateka na CCM hadi lini?

MAHATMA Gandhi katika kitabu cha 'Gandhi; his life and message to the world,' Louis Fischer 1954, ukurasa wa 52 aliwahi kusema: "Kama unaamini kuwa Italia ni taifa lenye furaha kwa sababu Waitalia wanatawala Italia, uko kwenye kiza kinene."

Gandhi aliyasema maneno haya kama kejeli na suto kwa Wahindi waliomshinikiza kuwa baada ya kupata uhuru awafukuze Wazungu.

Kwa maana ya kifalsafa, Gandhi alimaanisha kuwa mvunja nchi ni mwananchi na kikulacho kiko nguoni mwako.

Nchi inaweza kudai kuwa iko huru wakati ukweli ni kuwa iko utumwani. Zamani kulikuwa na utumwa, hatimaye ukoloni katika namna tofauti na sasa.

Mifumo hii michafu ya dhambi wakati ule ilitambulika kirahisi kwa nje kutokana na kusimamiwa na kuyanufaisha mataifa ya kivamizi.

Baada ya mataifa mengi kujikomboa, kwa kuwatimua wavamizi, umma uliaminishwa kuwa umepata uhuru uliokuwa ukiukamia na kuupigania hata kwa kumwaga damu. Afrika kwa ujumla na hasa Tanzania, ni mojawapo.

Punde tu baada ya uhuru, yaani kuondoka kwa wavamizi, uliingia ukoloni mpya. Ulikuja ukoloni mbuge na mbalanga ambao ni mchanganyiko wa wakoloni wa awali na wazalendo waliokabidhiwa uhuru. Hiki ni kizalia cha ukoloni mkongwe. Ni mwendelezo wa jinai ile ile.

Badala ya wakoloni kuwa wageni peke yao, ulijengeka uswahiba baina yao na vikundi vya wazalendo wachache na walioendelea kuzikalia nchi huru kwa niaba ya mabwana zao.

Miaka ya 60 hadi 90 Afrika ilishuhudia majanga makuu mawili. Yaani serikali za kijeshi au vyama vya kiimla. Makundi haya mawili, yalizalisha majambazi ambayo hayajawahi kutokea katika historia ya bara hili.

Kulikuwa na mabwana wawili wakati ule, Urusi kwa upande mmoja na Marekani kwa upande wa pili chini ya dhana ya vita baridi (cold war), vita ambayo ilipiganwa mbali na ardhi ya mabwana hawa. Ilipiganwa Angola, Vietnam, Msumbiji, Congo, Nigeria (Biafra) na kwingineko.

Wakati wakoloni uchwara wakiwatumikia mabwana zao kuzibakana kuzidhoofisha nchi zao wenyewe, hali ya umma ilizidi kudhoofu. Uhuru taratibu uligeuka udhuru. Historia ni ndefu.

Tukirejea Tanzania mwaka 1961 hadi 1967 tuliendelea kuwatumikia Waingereza. Hali hii ilimchukiza Mwalimu Nyerere kiasi cha kuasi mwaka 1967 kwa kutangaza Azimio la Arusha chini ya siasa ya Ujamaa kwa nia nzuri.

Tulianza kujenga jamii ya kijamaa yenye kuheshimu utu na mambo taratibu yalitengamaa. Maana si haba huduma muhimu zilipatika huku utu wa mtu ukithaminiwa kwa usawa.

Kitendo cha kutangaza kujenga ujamaa kilialika maadui wawili, wakoloni wa awali na waroho na walafi wazalendo.

Bahati mbaya Mwalimu aliamini kuwa wazalendo wote walikuwa watu kama yeye asijue kulikuwa na mbweha na fisi.

Walafi hawa taratibu walijipendekeza kwa Mwalimu kiasi cha kuwaamini na kuwapa vyeo. Kosa kubwa. Walianza kutuguguna na kuficha mali za wizi huku wakitunafiki kwa kujionyesha kama wajamaa halisi majukwaani wakati ni mbwa wa kawaida. Kutaharuki mambo yeshaharibika. Nyerere alichukia na kung'atuka.

Baada ya kung'atuka mabwana hawa ndiyo wakawa wamefunguliwa mwaka 1992 chini ya Azimio la Zanzíbar. Historia ni ndefu.

Tukirejea kwenye kichwa cha makala, ni ukweli usio na shaka kuwa kikundi cha watu wachache kiitwacho CCM kimewateka Watanzania na kuwatesa hadi kuchanganyikiwa. Kimevunja misingi ya nchi aliyoipigania Mwalimu. Kimejumuisha mabepari na matajiri wa kila aina na kuuteka na kuuhujumu uhuru wetu. Tutatoa sababu tusionekane tunatukana.

Kwanza, kimekosa mwelekeo, dira, sera, visheni na kanuni. Muulize hata mwenyekiti wake kuwa sera ya chama ni ipi. Muulize mwanachama yeyote kwamba anashirikishwa vipi kukiendesha chama na vitu kama hivyo. Atatoa macho kama mjusi aliyebanwa mlango.

Atajibu nini iwapo chama sasa ni ngazi ya kupatia madaraka na ulaji wa bure? Si tena kile cha Mwalimu kilichokuwa nyenzo ya ukombozi. Hakijitangazi kama zamani.

Kwanini kujitangaza iwapo rushwa inaweza kutumika kupata uanachama au madaraka?

Kinajitangaza kwa ghiliba, rushwa (takrima) na jinai nyingine. Kimekuwa chama kama kokoro, kinahudumia yeyote awaye ilimradi awe na pesa. Na huu ndiyo mzizi wa kuharibika kwa chama. Ulizia miiko ya mwanachama na ya uongozi.

Pili, kimeishiwa mbinu za kisiasa kiasi cha kutegemea njia haramu ili kuishi, hasa madarakani.

Rejea kutokuwa tayari kubadili katiba isiyoendana na matakwa ya nchi ya sasa, wizi na uvurugaji wa uchaguzi.

Tatu, ni kufilisika na kukaukiwa na watu wenye sifa za kukiendesha kisiasa na kihalali kama alivyofanya Mwalimu. Hakina watu waadilifu kama kina Nyerere, Edward Sokoine, Horace Kolimba na wengine. Waliobakia hawana madaraka wala hawasikilizwi, ukiachia mbali kukata tamaa kuona chama chao kilivyogeuzwa cha ovyo.

Nne, kama kansa, kimewaghilibu hata wasomi kiasi cha kuwa watu wa ajabu. Usishangae kuona kwa mfano majaji, maprofesa, maofisa wengine ambao nafasi zao haziwaruhusu ama kuwa na kadi za vyama au kujikomba, wakiishi kwa kuganga njaa kwa kukubali kutumiwa na CCM.

Tulishuhudia siku za nyuma, Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Zanzíbar anayeitwa Jaji akiacha kiti na cheo cha ujaji kwa kwenda kuchukua fomu kugombea ujumbe wa NEC.

Hivi jaji mwenye kushabikia chama au kuwa mwanachama anaweza kutoa haki? Hii si mara ya kwanza. Kwani IGP aliyestaafu Omari Mahita alikuwa shabiki na mwanachama wa CCM wazi wazi, akiwa kwenye ofisi ya umma si ya chama na hakuchukuliwa hatua zozote!

Huu ni ujambazi wa kisiasa unaoendeshwa na chama tawala dhidi ya nchi na wananchi wake kwa sababu ya kufilisika na tamaa za watu wachache. Ni usaliti kwa Mwalimu.

Si kosa kusema kuwa CCM sasa ni chaka la mabepari na walaji. Rejea mfano kuwaona walioua mradi wa mabasi ya wanafunzi kuchaguliwa kuwa wabunge wa Jumuia ya Afrika Mashariki kwa tiketi ya CCM. Rejea utajiri usio na maelezo wa viongozi wa CCM. Rejea kushamiri kwa tuhuma za wizi na ubadhirifu wa pesa ya umma unaofanywa na serikali ya CCM. Rejea matajiri kujipatia ubunge kupitia CCM kwa kuwahonga viongozi wa CCM na wapiga kura.

Hivi hawa wabunge wenye asili ya Kiasia, waliotoka shule jana, wakaishia kuwa wabunge kama si takrima, wana sifa gani? Rejea kutegemea mtandao kuhujumu vyama vingine vya upinzani.

Nafasi haitoshi, historia ni ndefu. Tutaendelea kuwa mateka wa CCM hadi lini? Anayedhani Tanzania ni taifa lenye furaha kwa vile wanaongoza Watanzania, yumo kwenye kiza kinene.

nkwazigatsha@yahoo.com