The Chant of Savant

Thursday 28 February 2008

My dear Eddie, don’t waste your time, resources


I READ with great dismay the story that Eddie Lowassa opted to resign! Uh! What a lie! What a lie! Guy, do you think we are that forgetful in the first place? Don’t you know, we know you were expelled by the Parliamentary Select Committee?

Let me look at how you opted or were forced to opt. First of all, do you know the real meaning of the word opt? Opt in simple English parlance is to make a choice. So in your case, you did not make any choice. But you were given one made by the parliamentary select committee. So let’s agree on this Eddie. You had no choice except to pack and jump into water as it happened. If at all you opted or made a choice as you are trying to put it, then why were you complaining that you were not accorded natural justice?

If the choice was yours, then why did you allege that the evidence so used to pin you down was far fetched?

Another thing I call a lie point blank is your braggadocios and brouhahas of comparing yourself to Al Haj Ali Hassan Mwinyi, the third- phase president of the United Republic. If I were him (Mwinyi), I’d aver that this comparison is between a termite hill and Mount Everest in the first place. How can the guy who was thoroughly implicated in wrong doings compare himself to the one that voluntarily relinquished powers after some irresponsible punks tarnished his position?


After all, times have changed tremendously. The rules of the game, by then, allowed someone to bounce back. But as of now, forget about it, dear Eddie.

Another point. Do you remember that Mwalimu Nyerere, though deceased, still commands immense powers as far as our politics is concerned? Don’t you remember: he put it to you that you amassed ill-gotten wealth? This was unfortunate for you. For the reasons known to you, you opted to keep mum without reckoning with the fact that this prophecy would ricochet later!

By the way Eddie, why haven’t you ever declared your wealth? Can you do this please?

Another killer fact! Don’t you remember how the art of manipulation so applied during the campaigns did haunt you?Look at how ’wananchi’ celebrated and cheered your fall from grace. To me, the reaction of the people, after the news was broken that you were to hit the road, speaks volumes about who you actually are.How can a guy whose political demise attracted ululations and relief day-dream of bouncing back?

Make no joke Eddie.You know what, that son of Mary a.k.a son of Man, Jesus Christ said: "Believe ye me. It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle’’ than it is for Eddie to sit on the high throne of power in this country.

Another last thing. If you want us to seriously respect you, please spill the beans. What have you to lose if you have already lost? If anything Eddie, I feel pity for my best friend Bangusilo Ibra Msabaha whom you are using as a napkin to cleanse your mess.

Guy, all in all and above all, stop comparing yourself to Mzee wetu Mwinyi whom we respect highly.

As for Richmond, its spirit will go to rest the day we shall see all who are behind it before a court of law; as they’ll be condemned to heavy duty and the loot shall be taken and returned to the hoi polloi who slept in darkness the whole year. Again there is a curse here. Who will acclaim the guy that caused the power hike in the first place?

We must face it point blank. When a leaf drops from a tree, it can not return there, despite all the scientific achievements. Eddie go to bed now and dream well. But never waste your money on fortune tellers who are shouting that one day you will be back. To do what, Eddie?

Source: Thisday Feb. 28, 2008.

Wednesday 27 February 2008

Kijiwe kilivyosherehekea kukaangwa Richimondul

WIKI hii ni ya sherehe mtindo mmoja kwa Kijiwe. Ni wiki ya kupongezana na kuzidi kudurusu jinsi ya kuliendeleza vagi na valangati dhidi ya mafisidi, mabangusilo na marichimondul.

Kwa mara ya kwanza Kijiwe chetu kimekipelekea salamu za pongezi Kijiwe pinzani cha Idodomya kwa kumtolea uvivu na kumkaanga jamaa yetu Richimondul. Tunawataka watuletee Richimondul wote na BoT na si mabangusilo-kafara.

Tunaita nambari wani msalabani badala ya kuiruhusu yenyewe iwasulubu wachache ili inusurike.

Naona wanakijiwe wanaingia kwa nyodo, mashamsham na kila aina ya bashasha.

Mzee mzima leo nimetilia suti yangu niliyonunua duka moja na yule jamaa daktari Mwakiembe. Ni suti ya mapilato.

Naona Mgosi Machungi kanitilia bonge ya tarabushi na darzi kali sana huku chini akinimaliza na tarawanda. Yu mtribu maridadi kweli kweli Msambaa yule. Utadhani Mgosi wa nambari. wani.

Msomi naona ana mabuku na magazeti yote ya wiki akidurusu na kudurusua hili na lile. Ama kweli ni siku adhimu na maalumu!

Macho yote yameelekezwa kwangu mzee mzima kwa kufanikiwa kumnanga na hatimaye kumdedisha.

Mara Mgosi ananichokoza huku akitabasamu.

"Mgoshi naona Richimondul wako ametimuiwa aende zake Mondui. Timeona vitu vyako. Akini nasi azima tijipongeze. Maana Kijiwe kimichangia sana."

Mie sijibu nabaki kutabasamu na kutikisa kichwa nikila maujiko.

Wakati Mgosi akijiandaa kuendelea kulonga mara Mpemba anakwanyua mic.

“Yakhe uliona watu wakikaangana? Wallahi mie naona yule Mwakiembe sijui Mwakinazi siyo CCM ni Kaafu Wallahi huyu! Hata hivyo jipu halijatumbuka yakhe! Maskini nikikumbuka Richimondul alivyoadhirika na kufedhehaka wakati mwingine naona huruma," anasema.

Mbwa ameudhiwa na Mpemba kumhurumia jamaa. Anatuguna mic. “Yakhe na huruma zako! Unamuonea huruma mwizi tena jibaka kubwa! Heri ungewaonea huruma vibaka waliozalishwa na mibaka kama huu. Mie sijaridhika. Nitaridhika nitakapoona mtu lupango, vinginevyo naona kama zengwe tu. Nitaridhika nitakapoona watoa takrima wote wakisulubiwa badala ya haya mauza uza,” anasema.

Kapende anamdandia Mbwa. “Mbwa umenena. Kwanini atoke mmoja badala ya genge lote? Kwani wakati anasuka lile dili alikuwa ametumwa na nani kama si bosi wake? Kwanini atumie kampuni ya yule Mwarabu kama si kumlipa fadhila kwa kumuwezesha bosi wake? Yaani jamaa kajua kuwaweka kimada. Hadi chama!”

Mzee Ndomo naye anaingia bila taarifa. “Ulimwengu tulioambiwa kuja kwa youm kiam, umewadia ambapo simba atazaa mbwa. Alijisemea Mchonga tukamuona mwongo, yako wapi sasa?” Anatema mate chini kwa dharau ya mafisadi na kuendelea.

“Kilichotokea ni watu kuchoka kutumiwa kama ambavyo tumekuwa tukiwaonya. Wengine wanasema walinyimana na kuzidiana kete kwenye mitandao yao ya ulaji. Mradi kila mtu na lake. Ila kikaka kimoja kimedondo si haba.”

Leo ni bandika bandua. Msomi anaamua kuingia hata kabla ya wakati wake kutokana na furaha yake juu ya mkuki wa Richimondul. Anaanza. "Kwanza nikupongeze mzee mzima." Ananigeukia akiwa anatabasamu na kuendelea. “Kwanza muuzaji mmwagie kahawa hadi azimie. Nakupongeza sana kwa cheche zako hasa na usanii wa kuteua jina lililokuwa lina kila jibu. Ulizoea kuiita kashfa ya Richimondul …. Je, ulimaanisha nini?" Ananigeukia tena.

Mpayukaji sijivungi nakatua mic. “Wazee, mimi nilitonywa na wasomaji wangu ambao wengi ni wa usalama na wengine ni wahusika waliotumikishwa na jamaa hawa. Hivyo, nilipokuwa nikiandika Richimondul nilitaka umma uunganishe Richimondul naniino upate jibu lenyewe kama alivyofanya rafiki yangu Daktari son of Kyembe, ambaye alikuwa mwalimu wako Msomi. Simple hilo ndilo nilifanya na alhamdullillahi hatimaye mambo yamejipa. Niwekee kahawa kwanza’"

Msomi anaendelea. “Je, huu ndiyo mwisho au ndiyo mwanzo? Je, hamuoni kuwa jamaa kaamua kubwaga manyanga kuwaokoa wenzake hasa genge lao liitwalo nambari wani? Je, turidhike na usanii huu au tudai zaidi wote wafichuke kuanzia Richmond, IPTL, Green Finance, ANBEN, Tanpower, Fosnik, Mifuko ya Bima, NBC, Air Tanzania, Tanesco, Bandari, TRA, Uhamiaji, BoT na kwingineko."

Kabla ya kumaliza, Mbwa mwitu anadakia. “Du jamaa alivyoyakariri haya madudu utadhani msahafu ama kweli wewe ni msomi na mwanafunzi wa kweli wa Mwakye!”

Msomi kasifiwa na anaonekana wazi kupagawa kiasi cha kuendelea kutoa lecture. “Mie naona ni kama mwanzo wa mwisho wa kugeuzwa kile mzee aitacho nepi na sindano. Je, Lu-washa alikuwa peke yake? Mbona sijasikia tamko kuhusu huyo mmanga wake aliyejichimbia kwenye chama lao?

Mbona sijasikia chanzo au vyanzo vya takrima iliyompa mbawa Chekacheka hadi akapaa na kukwanyua kiti cha ufalme? Tujiulize na kujiuliza na kujiuliza ili kuhakikisha kila jiwe linageuzwa?”

Kabla ya kuendelea Mzee Maneno naye anatia buti. “Nyie hamjui. Mie nilionya maneno ya Mchonga yatakuja kufufuka na kuondoka na mtu mkaniona kama natania. Yako wapi sasa? Huwezi kuufanya umma vipofu wakati una macho tena mawili na hauvai mawani kama wewe. Hapa la msingi ni kwa wasomi kugeuka na kuanza kutumia usomi kama daktari Kyembe kusaidia nchi kutoka kwenye ufisadi."

Msomi anaendelea. “You’re very right mzee wangu. Kimsingi sisi wasomi ndiyo tatizo. Lakini siyo wote. Ni wale waliosoma wakashindwa kuelimika. Ni wale wanaotumia makamasi kufikiri badala ya ubongo.

Mie nikipata hata ukuu wa wilaya mshahara na marupurupu yake yanatosha. Nani atakufa na pesa zaidi ya aibu kama jamaa yetu? Bado sasa watoto wao waliojazana pale BoTii. Nao tutawafungashia virago siku si nyingi.

Mie naona wingu analitia Chekacheka kwa kutatua matatizo nusu nusu. We muache naye tutamchenjia kama alivyosema Arawa shauri yake. Tungoje tuone wa kupinda pinda naye atatupindisha au kutunyoosha vipi."

Kabla ya Msomi kuendelea mara Makengeza ndiyo anaingia. Hasalimii bali anaanza kutoa stori za jana. "Wazee jana mtaani hatukulala. Tulikuwa tukisherehekea kuanguka kwa Richmonduli wa mzee. Tulikunywa na kula kufuru. Maana kumbe watu wanakulimbika ukiwa unafanya vitu vyako. Sikujua kuwa watu walikuwa wanamchukia jamaa hivyo! Kwanza niwape stori toka redio mbao. Ni kwamba atateuliwa waziri mkuu kutoka usalama wa taifa ingawa nao si usalama chochote."

Kabla ya kuendelea, Msomi anadakia. “Je, ni jibu:walikuwa wapi wakati mambo yanaharibika? Mie sioni usalama bali uhasara sawa na TAKULA ya daktari fulani anayetuhumiwa kuwa swahiba wa Jamaa. Naye sijui anangoja nini? Watu wote wanaweza kujidanganya na kujipa moyo sijui rafiki yangu Enderea Chenga kweli atanusirika mara hii? Hata Miramba, Meng-ji, M7ha Bangusilo, Msulwa, Kingungo, Wakupuya, Ngasongora na wengine nao lazima watimke. Mie naona kutimua siyo jibu. Wapelekwe mbele ya sheria ili haki itendeke.

Ukiachia Richimondul, wapi majumba yetu? Wapi wala rushwa na wauza unga? Wapi wapi wapi? Hapa ndipo Chekacheka anacheza kama paa. Ameufungulia uji wa moto bombani lazima umuunguze naye kwa uzembe na kulindana kwake."

Anachukua kombe lake la kahawa na kulibusu na kuendelea. "Ingawa huwa tunawabeza kijiwe cha Idodomya, leo nawapa heko kwa kuachana na unepi na utaulo. Vichwa vimeshinda matumbo. Walikuwa wanatia kinyaa kugeuzwa nyumba ndogo ya mafisadi.

Tuwashinikize washikilie hapo hapo kudai wahusika wote wafilisiwe, wakamatwe na kufungwa. This is the answer vinginevyo tunapotezeana muda. Hapa ni wanakijiwe kuachana na sherehe za kina Makengeza na kusimama kidete kutumia fursa hii adhimu na adimu vinginevyo watapozwa na libeneke itaendelezwa. Wazee mmeona kiroja cha Mwajabu kukosa adabu? Eti na Enderea Chenga amerejeshwa kwenye kigwena. Hivyo huyu jamaa ana matatizo gani au ndiyo la kufa?”

Akiwa anajiandaa kutwanga manyundo mara tuliona gari Jei Wi likielekea Dawasco kutoa dispilini ya uonevu. Tulidhani wanatuijia sisi hivyo tulitimka kila mtu kivyake! Na hili gesi lisipodhibitiwa linaanza ufisadi mwingine wa kutupiga piga utadhani tu ngoma.

Source: Tanzania Daima Feb. 27, 2008.


mpayukaji@yahoo.com

Thursday 21 February 2008

We need Ben, Ann and Eddie before judge

SIPPERS are angry and hungry today. They’ve read the revelations that Ben Makapu is behind the TICTS! The clock is ticking. Some say: he’s a tick that needs to be smashed. They know: he is behind Net Problems; he touted Net solutions. He is also behind Kiwira mega money making project dubbed Tanpower. He’s behind the death of the late NBC. He also is behind ANBEN, Fosnik, M bank, palace Lushoto, M tower in sea view and so on!


On the same line there is this killer news that the-forced-to resignation-former- PM, Edward Lowassa, is to receive golden parachute! What for on Earth! This is bloody theft even if it is supported by such bloody dirty piece of legislation. No. this is another ufisadi so to speak. What is he paid for? Stealing our monies and sinking our country into the Richmonduli ditch?

Come on Mr. Government. Go to the parliament and amend that bloody piece of law that provides for such theft. This if anything is a bad law that aims at serving and saving bad people as it vindicates the good ones!

Going back to the sippers, Mbea the newest sipper has it that this guy, Ben and ANBEN is even richer than George Bush!

His wife, he says, is richer than Oprah Winfrey and Malta Stewart!

The son of Bennie is even richer than that of the king of Saudi Arabia; even the son of Makhtoum of Dubai! Mwe!

This sipper knows more than you do. He says: You know guys? JK does not want to protect the thing; he is forced by the system.’’

Before Mbea goes on, Kyembeson chips in. "Guys, JK is clean. But he should prove this by letting judicial process exonerate or convict the bum. He needs to demolish such dirty system before it demolishes him as it happened to his friend the son of Ole.’’


Makengeza weighs in to score a point. "You’re right. JK is currently sweeping his house. Don’t you see; he started with the son of Ole? The next move is dugong; believe ye me.’’

By the way, who bewitched Ben so as to become that myopic? I thought his being Mchonga’s student; he'd be insightful and accountable.’’ Says Machungi.

"Wow indeed. Don’t you know sometimes a God-fearing person can sire a sinner?’’ He sips his ulabu and adds up. ’’To me the right thing to do is to submit Bennie and Annie and Eddie whom I am told is to scoop more monies as golden handshake, before the court of law; the rest will be upon the judge.’’

"Before doing so, I advise, our money should be returned plus all houses and other properties resulting from this theft by biggies. And no dime should be paid to thieves who admitted themselves to be thieves per se.’’ Says Kyembeson.

Mpa chips in. ’’You’re right Kyembeson. This will be the lesson for those that will follow thereafter.But do they have ears? If they do, will our system be changed from protecting big thieves as it vexes the wananchi? We need to do away from this embarassing walanchi system and embrace Mwananchi system.

Kyembeson seals the chat of the sippers as he says: Dugong, Annie and son of Ole should be a very big lesson for thieves in making or those dreaming to steal our monies. By the way, when will the accounts so discovered abroad be made public? Let them return our money and go to Ukonga instead of giving them more mshiko. Zitawatokea puani shenzi you. Let us surmon Bennie, Annie and Eddie before the judge as soon as we can. Game over now.

Source: Thisday Feb. 21, 2008.

Wednesday 20 February 2008

Bush's Africa Visit A Danger to Africa




If I were president of Tanzania Jakaya Kikwete, I’d not invite president George W. Bush of the US. I’d not go chest beating for his tour to my country and region altogether. Show me any country that has benefited from being a good boy to the US - especially under George "Warmonger" Bush.



Last year I wrote an article Dealing with America is No Deal in one English daily-The Thisday. I pored on the situation in Pakistan prior to the assassination of Benazir Bhutto whom I warned to get ready for pricey undertaking. I pointed out that Pakistani dictator Pervez Musharaff capitalized on America’s fear of Al-Qaeda to bless his illegal military regime which took power at the time when the UN had categorically banned military juntas from being legalized after they stage coup d’ Etats. What transpired is history though nasty and bitter for a common man in the streets of Karachi Rawalpindi and Lahore.



Coming back to the over touted visit of President Bush to Tanzania and the region in general, I can foresee African mumbo-jumbos congregating in Dar es salaam to renew their vows to their master. I can see dictators like Yoweri Museveni, Paulo Kagame even Mwai Kibaki whose regimes look at America as their Saviour bowing before the man. Whoever doubts this should find out why Museveni tampered with the constitution and got away with it without being reprimanded by the self appointed champion of democracy of the world-the US. One should also question the success of Kagame’s autocratic regime after overthrowing and jailing the president of Rwanda-Pasteur Bizimungu. Kagame rules like a king, let alone his iron fist on political parties and media. Reports by Human Rights Watch have implicated him quite often. But again America, for reasons known to itself, has paid a blind eye.



Kagame and Museveni invaded DRC where they stole minerals, timber and killed many innocent people. Women were raped and houses torched. As usual America paid a blind eye! Montague, Dena, a Senior Research Associate with the Arms Trade Resource Center of World Policy Institute did a tremendous job on DRC showing how Rwanda and Uganda invaded DRC to steal Coltan-the mineral so much wanted by computer manufacturers.



Let me shed some light on this mineral. Coltan is the colloquial African name for columbite-tantalite, a metallic ore used to produce the elements niobium and tantalum. Mineral concentrates containing tantalum are usually referred to as 'tantalite'. In appearance, coltan is a dull black mineral. The exportation of coltan helped fuel the war in the Congo, a conflict that has resulted in approximately 3.8 million deaths. Coltan is the ore for tantalum used in consumer electronics products such as cell phones, DVD players, and computers. Those interested in knowing much about this plot to ruin DRC by Rwanda and Uganda can refer to Stolen Goods: Coltan and Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo SAIS Review - Volume 22, Number 1, Winter-Spring 2002, pp. 103-118. By Montangue Dena.



To crack the jigsaw behind this and how America comes to the big picture, one should ask himself: where does Rwanda and Uganda sell coltan if not to the US? Like oil to the middle East, DRC is tortured by its minerals. Refer to the massacre of Patrice Lumumba the first Prime minister of DRC by the CIA on 17 January 1961.



Tanzania has big quantities of a diversity of minerals such as gold, diamond and ruby. The Tanzanite is only found in Tanzania the world over. With immense quantities of minerals unexploited, Tanzania has proved to be so lenient and most corrupt as far as investment by foreigners is concerned. Many Tanzanians are still languishing in penury despite their country producing tonnes and tonnes of gold for example. Corruption has been instrumental for foreign countries to rob Tanzania. Edward Lowassa, former Prime Minister of Tanzania, was forced by the parliament select committee to stand down after being implicated in the Richmond scandal; the scandal under which Tanzania was to loose over $ 170 million.



There is yet another scandal- the mother of scandals- known as BoT or Bank of Tanzania in which over $ 330 million were stolen by government officials to finance elections that propelled Kikwete to power. Some observers say the figure is even higher!



What shall Bush’s visit do to Tanzania? One thing is evident: Al-Qaeda will get more reasons to attack the country again (the 1998 victims have never been redressed!) Currently, Somalia has no meaningful government; and rumours have it that Al-Qaeda is operating from Somalia. Hadn’t Kenya been dipped into the post-elections fiasco, chances were that Bush would have been hosted by Kibaki. As fate has it, Kibaki is a shame of a sort. Thus Bush had to skip him and prefer Kikwete who also is the chair of AU.



Those who think that the coming of Bush means an increase in foreign aid to Africa are dead wrong. America does not offer as much money compared to other European countries. The US is the single largest donor of foreign economic aid, but, unlike many other developed nations, Americans prefer to donate their money through the private sector, according to a new report published by a Washington research organization. Of the $122.8 billion of foreign aid provided by Americans in 2005 (the most current data available), $95.5 billion, or 79 percent, came from private foundations, corporations, voluntary organizations, universities, religious organizations and individuals, says the annual Index of Global Philanthropy. "It isn’t like in the 1950s when the Marshall Plan and government flows dominated our economic engagement with the developing world," says Carol A. Adelman, Director of the Center for Global Prosperity.



Much of donor funds coming to Africa as aid end up being taken by expatriates from the same donor. If the funds target purchasing corn or any food, again the same will go back to the same donor. The needed stuff will be bought either from the donor country or a place where it has its economic interests as it happened in 2006 when UNHCR received grants for purchasing corn for Darfur refugees.



What then should we expect of Bush’s visit to the region? Many weapons to be sold to Rwanda and Uganda so that they can nourish their Nkundas in the DRC? Shall there be anything to expect, it is Osama.


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


Source: The African Executive Magazine-Nairobi, February 20. 2008.

Rais Kikwete asijisifu kumkaribisha Bush

ZIARA ya Rais wa Marekani, George Bush, ni turufu kwa Rais Jakaya Kikwete na wote wanaoona karibu.

Nasema kwa wanaoona karibu kutokana na jinsi Bush alivyopokewa kwa mbwembwe, unyanyasaji na ukandamizaji wa haki za binadamu.

Nasema hivyo kutokana na mambo yalivyokuwa. Wapo walioandamana kupinga ujio wake ingawa nao walikuwa na hoja dhaifu ya kidini badala ya kitaifa.

Kutokana na mazoea na hali halisi nchini mwake hata nchi nyingine alizowahi kuzuru, sijawahi kuona mitaa ya Toronto ikifungwa eti kwa sababu kaja Bush! Sijawahi kuona hata mitaa ya Maine, ikifungwa eti kwa sababu yupo Bush, tena kuwatembelea wazazi wake.

Julai mwaka jana, alipokuwa Kennebunk port, Maine na mgeni wake Rais wa Urusi, Vladimir Putin, nilikuwa Buffalo. Sikuona ‘ujinga’ kama huu ulioonyeshwa na watawala wetu Dar es Salaam ambapo barabara zilifungwa huku wananchi wanaokwenda na kutoka kwenye shughuli zao halali wakikosa huduma ya lazima ambayo ni matokeo ya kodi zao!

Tukija kwenye hoja ya kutojivuna hata kumkaribisha Rais Bush, ningekuwa Kikwete nisingehangaika na mtu ambaye kila nikimtembelea huishia kukutana na watu wadogo au hata nikikutana naye huwa ni kwa muda mfupi, tena wa kusimamiwa, kusachiwa na kuharakishwa.

Ningeacha kumkaribisha Bush kutokana na anavyozichukulia nchi zetu kina yakhe. Si siri kuwa rais wa nchi zinazoitwa changa japo si changa anapotembelea Marekani huchukuliwa kama ombaomba yeyote wa kawaida. Ajabu nao watawala wa namna hii kwa kukosa kujithamini na kujiamini hukubali kuchukuliwa hivyo huku nao wakijichukulia hivyo!

Kwa mtu ambaye amesikiliza na kuyaelewa maneno ya Bush kuwa hatatoa misaada kwa wezi, anabaki kuishangaa ithibati ya watawala wetu. Anaposema hatatoa misaada kwa wezi, kwanza ni wezi wapi zaidi ya hao anaowapa hiyo misaada, tena yenye masharti?

Je, hapa si kudanganyana ili dili lipite? Mbona sasa kasaini mkataba wa mabilioni ilhali wanaopewa wanajulikana walivyojiibia hata kwenye Benki Kuu yao? Rejea wizi wa BoT kwenye fuko la EPA ambapo utawala wa Kikwete unazidi kushikwa kigugumizi.

Nigeukie kwa umma wa Watanzania waliodhalilishwa na kudhulumiwa haki zao kama kufungiwa barabara, kubughudhiwa, kuingiliwa mawasiliano yao ya simu, ukiachilia mbali kuletewa majeshi ya kigeni kwa kisingizio cha kulinda usalama wa rais wa Marekani, nao wanaonekana kushabikia jinai hii!

Nilitegemea kusikia waathirika wa kulipuliwa Ubalozi wa Marekani mwaka 1998 wakiandamana kudai fidia stahiki ilipwe tena haraka kwa waathirika.

Nilitegemea kuona waandamanaji wakimshinikiza Bush ambaye anaonekana kama baba wa watawala wetu, awawajibishe kwa kushindwa kushughulikia ufisadi ambao kimsingi ndicho chanzo kikuu cha uhohehahe wetu.

Nilitegemea kuona waandamanaji wanaomshinikiza mgeni huyo wa Rais Kikwete atende haki nchini Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestina na kwingineko ambako Marekani inafanya dhuluma.

Nilitegemea kusikia shinikizo kuhusiana na Marekani kuziunga mkono tawala zandiki kama zile za Rwanda, Uganda hata Kenya. Lakini bahati mbaya haya hayakuwa masuala yenye umuhimu!

Ningekuwa Kikwete ningekaa mbali na Bush kwa kuchelea kurudiwa kilichotokea mwaka 1998, ambapo Balozi za Marekani nchini Kenya na Tanzania zilishambuliwa na wanaodhaniwa kuwa Al-Qaeda kutokana na uswahiba wetu na Marekani.

Sikuona wala kusikia hili kutokana na watu kuona mambo madogo kama makubwa na makubwa kama madogo.

Nani hajui kwamba kuwa karibu na Bush ni kujitangazia vita na Al-Qaeda? Nani hajui kama misaada mingi itolewayo na Marekani huenda kwa taasisi zisizo za kiserikali ili iliwe na watumishi wa Kimarekani wanaosimamia taasisi hizo?

Nani hajui kuwa misaada ya Marekani huambatana na masharti magumu? Nani anaitaka Marekani wakati huu ambapo hata Marekani yenyewe imeanza kuchoka kiasi cha kupigwa kumbo na China?

Anayetaka kujua ninachomaanisha, aangalie jinsi China inavyofanya biashara ya kulipa fedha taslimu wakati Marekani ikifanya mikopo, tena ya masharti magumu. Si hilo tu, Marekani inazinyonya nchi changa kwenye biashara kupitia Shirika la Biashara la Dunia (WTO) kwa sauti kubwa kwenye taasisi za pesa za Kimarekani kama Benki ya Dunia (WB) na Shirika la Fedha Duniani (IMF), ambazo huvunga kuwa za kidunia wakati siyo?

Je, ni kwa nini Bush ameipendelea Tanzania kipindi hiki? Je, ni kwa sababu ya kugunduliwa madini mengi? Je, ni kwa sababu ya kupitisha madini na silaha kwenda na kutoka DRC, Rwanda na Uganda?

Inatia aibu kiongozi wa taifa linalojiita baba wa kupigania haki za binadamu kuwa shahidi wa uvunjaji wa haki hizo kama kufunga barabara na kuzuia watu kuendelea na shughuli zao.

Nani anataka kero kwa shilingi mbili za ofa? Isitoshe wananchi wa kawaida wa Tanzania hawajawahi kunufaika na misaada zaidi ya kuwa waathirika kwani ni kodi zao zinazotumika kulipia faida kwa madeni hayo, ukiachia mbali watawala wao kuwatumia kuombea.

Ziara ya watawala wa Kimarekani imethibitisha kuwapo udhalilishaji na unyanyasaji hata kwa watawala wetu wenyewe. Rejea wakati wa ziara kama hiyo aliyoifanya Bill Clinton mwaka 2004, ambapo mbwa wa Kimarekani walilinusa hata gari la Rais mstaafu Benjamin Mkapa ambaye naye kwa upofu wake alidai: “Ukiona Clinton kaja ujue uchumi unakua.”

Ebo! Uchumi utakuwaje wakati utegemezi na kujikomba ndiyo vinapamba moto huku rushwa na ufisadi vikigeuzwa halali? Kwa nchi yenye rasilimali kama Tanzania, aihitaji ziara ya Bush na mabunda yake ya pesa chafu kuwanyanyasa na kuwadhalilisha Watanzania.

Inafanyika hivi kutokana na utapia mlo wa mawazo na kuendekeza utegemezi. Ukilinganisha hizo dola milioni 700 alizokuja nazo Bush na manyanyaso yake na zile zilizoibwa BoT, Richmond, IPTL, TICTS, NBC, Net Group Solution na uchangudoa mwingine, utaona uhovyo na utaahira wetu vilipo.

Huu nao ni ukoloni mamboleo, ambapo rais mzima aliyechaguliwa na wananchi, anayetambulika kisheria kujidhalilisha kwa sababu wanapokea rais wa taifa kubwa duniani.

Hakika, ningekuwa Kikwete ningepambana na ufisadi vilivyo ili kuokoa fedha nyingi, tena ya stahiki na heshima kuliko kunyenyekea manyanyaso na udhalilishaji kwangu na watu wangu, ukiachilia mbali kuiweka nchi yangu kwenye hatari ya kuvamiwa na magaidi.

Marekani inatumia pesa nyingi kujilinda na ugaidi ilioutengeneza na ambao inafaidika nao. Je, sisi tunazo pesa na zana za kujilinda kutokana na ugaidi? Hakika huku ni sawa na mtu mlevi kushikamana na jambazi ilhali anatafutwa na polisi ili wakiwanasa wawasulubu pamoja. Hebu angalia ni kwanini napinga ziara ya Bush nchini Tanzania. Soma nukuu yake.

“Lengo la kusaini mkataba huu ni kuhakikisha nasaidia zaidi katika mapambano dhidi ya ugonjwa wa malaria na ukimwi pamoja na kuwemo maeneo mengine yanayohitaji msaada.

Hata hivyo si kwamba mkataba niliosaini utaishia hapa, bali nitahakikisha natoa msaada, ikiwezekana mara mbili ya huu, nia ni kuona magonjwa Tanzania na Afrika yanakwisha ndani ya kipindi cha miaka mitano,” alisema Rais Bush.

Ujinga mtupu! Nani anaweza kuondoa magonjwa Tanzania na Afrika ndani ya miaka mitano? Ondoeni umaskini na ufisadi kwanza, mengine yatajiondokea yenyewe.

Kwa mtu anayejua matatizo ya Tanzania vizuri, kipaumbele kisingekuwa ukimwi ambao ni tatizo la mtu binafsi likilinganishwa na kutokuwapo uwiano wa kibiashara kimataifa, kupambana na ufisadi na kukuza kilimo na mawasiliano.

Hapa kilichofanyika ni kuelekeza pesa kwenye shughuli ya ovyo na kuacha za muhimu kama kukuza uchumi na kupambana na ufisadi na kusimika utawala bora, ambavyo kimsingi ndivyo vikwazo vya maendeleo ya nchi.

Mpumbavu alipewa msaada wa suti kali huku watoto wake wakikosa chakula na pesa ya shule akashangilia! Au ni ujuha ule ule wa kuuza ng’ombe kugharimia kesi ya kuku?

Naomba kutoa hoja.



Source: Tanzania Daima Februari 20, 2008.

Monday 18 February 2008

Biashara na siasa: Kikwete anajichanganya

NIANZE makala hii kwa kueleza msimamo wa serikali kuwa tangu kuingia kwa sera babaishi za kukopa za ubinafsishaji na za ugenishaji, serikali ilitamka wazi bila kulazimishwa kuwa inajitoa kwenye biashara.

Serikali ilifanya hivyo ili kushughulikia usimamizi wa dola, ingawa hata katika hilo nako inaonekana imechemsha na kuzidiwa kete, kutokana na kuwa na watendaji wafanyabiashara.Kitu ambacho sielewi ni kama serikali ilijitoa kwenye biashara ili watendaji wake wajiingize kwenye biashara?

Taarifa za vyombo vya habari za Februari 6, mwaka huu kuwa Rais Jakaya Kikwete ataandamana na wafanyabiashara 67 ziarani Ujerumani, zimenichanganya licha ya kunitatiza. Hayo yalisemwa na Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Kituo cha Uwekezaji Tanzania (TIC), Emmanuel ole Naiko, wakati akizungumza na waandishi wa habari.

Siku chache kabla ya ujio wa habari hii, Rais Kikwete alikaririwa na vyombo vya habari akiwaonya mawaziri na wabunge wachague kati ya siasa na biashara.Alisema kufanya biashara na siasa au siasa za biashara au biashara ya siasa huleta mgongano wa kimaslahi, kiasi kwamba kuzua wasiwasi kwa wananchi wanaotegemea watendaji hao hao wawatumikie badala ya kuwatumia kutengenezea pesa na utajiri binafsi.

Kabla ya kusema hayo, mapema mwaka jana Rais aliandamana na kundi la wafanyabiashara kwenye ziara yake nchini Marekani.

Kama sikosei, alichosema Rais kuhusiana na biashara na siasa kinakinzana na alichokifanya mwaka jana na anachotarajiwa kukifanya mara tu baada ya kuonya siasa za biashara.

Hii si mara yangu ya kwanza kumuonya Rais kujiepusha na wafanyabiashara. Kumuonya kwangu kutokana na yanayomkuta sasa mtangulizi wake, Benjamin Mkapa, ambaye anatuhumiwa kujipatia utajiri akiwa Ikulu kiasi cha kukiuka maadili ya uongozi.

Watu wengi wamekuwa wakimuita 'rais msanii' kutokana na kusema hili leo na kesho akafanya kinyume na hilo alilosema.Wanamuona hivyo kutokana na staili yake ya kuongoza ambayo unaweza kuiita ‘laissez-faire’ kwa lugha ya kigeni. Maana yake ni kusema au kufanya lolote bila kujali kama anajipinga au anakosea.Rejea kauli yake kuwa anapata taarifa nyingi za ufisadi kwa simu yake ya kiganjani. Alipobanwa ilionekana kuwa alikuwa akiongopa, kwani hata waandishi wenyewe aliokuwa akiwaambia hawakuwa wanajua namba hiyo. Hadi leo hajawahi kuweka wazi 'namba' yake hiyo!

Tukio jingine kama hili ni pale alipodai anayo majina ya wauza mihadarati. Hadi naandika hata baada ya kufa kwa mbunge kijana aliyejulikana kwa upambanaji wake dhidi ya mihadarati, Amina Chifupa, Rais - kwa sababu anazojua mwenyewe - hajawahi kukamata lau mmoja wa vigogo hao wa mihadarati!Tulidhani, baada ya Rais kumpoteza mbunge kijana kama yule angetoka usingizini na kufanya kweli, lakini wapi!

Tukirejea kwenye uswahiba na ukaribu wa Rais na wafanyabiashara, tunapata shaka na ‘seriousness’ ya Rais. Kwa nini wafanyabiashara? Je, hii inathibitisha madai yanayotolewa mara kwa mara kuwa alichangiwa na wafanyabiashara kuingia madarakani?Ni vema akumbuke kwamba ushindi wake wa tsunami inayotutokea puani, uliwezeshwa na wakulima na wafanyakazi wa nchi hii na si wafanyabiashara hata kama walichangia chama chake.

Rais inabidi afahamishwe kuwa wafanyabiashara wanapaswa kushughulikia dili zao bila kubebwa na Ikulu. Kwa nini Rais anapendelea kubeba mzigo usio wake na wenye kumtia kwenye vishawishi, kiasi cha kukosa imani na wananchi wanaoona jinsi wafanyabiashara walivyo karibu kila kwenye kashfa inayowahusisha watawala wetu? Rejea ushoga wa rais wa zamani Benjamin Mkapa na gavana wa zamani wa BoT, Dk. Daudi Ballali na akina Jeetu Patel.

Rejea ushoga baina ya waziri aliyesaini mkataba tata na kampuni Richmond inayotuhumiwa kutuibia pesa yetu na wenye kampuni hiyo.

Kwa nini iwe vibaya kwa mawaziri na wabunge kuachana na biashara na kufanya siasa au kufanya biashara na kuachana na siasa, lakini hapo hapo iwe vizuri kwa rais kujizungushia wafanyabiashara kwenye ziara zake?

Kuna haja ya kuinusuru nchi na rais wetu kutoka kwenye mikoba ya wafanyabiashara. Kuna haja ya kumuondoa rais wetu kwenye uchuuzi na kumrejesha kwenye urais. Kama anavyoona mgongano wa kimaslahi kwa mawaziri na wabunge kufanya siasa na biashara, nasi tunaona mgongano huo huo kwenye ushoga na wafanyabiashara.

Anachofanya Rais kinathibitisha ukweli kuwa CCM, chama tawala kinachounda serikali tawala, kimenasa kwenye mikoba ya wafanyabiashara.Rais, ambaye ni mwenyekiti wa chama hicho, angekuwa wa kwanza kuona madhara na lawama kinachopata chama chake kutokana na kukumbatia wafanyabiashara ambao hatima yake wamekitumbukiza kwenye kashfa kama ile ya BoT.

Wafanyabiashara wanafanya biashara kujineemesha binafsi na familia zao. Rais amechaguliwa kuneemesha wananchi wote kwa usawa, kuanzia wafanyakazi, wakulima na wengine. Na isitoshe nchi yetu ni ya wakulima na wafanyabiashara na siyo ya wanasiasa na wafanyabiashara.

Kama kuna uhitaji maalumu wa serikali kushughulikia biashara na wafanyabiashara basi ushughulikiwe na waziri wa biashara na si Rais wetu.

Itakuwa jambo la kipuuzi, kuona Rais anaandamana na wacheza mpira au muziki ilhali kuna wizara ya mambo haya.

Mwalimu Nyerere alituachia mwongozo wa urais hata kama siyo rasmi. Yeye, kama Yesu, alijitenga na kuigeuza Ikulu kuwa pango la wezi, yaani watoza ushuru na wabadilisha pesa ambao katika mada hii ni wafanyabiashara.

Kwa nini tunakuwa wagumu wa kujifunza? Kwa nini hatutaki kuliona lililotaka kumgharimu mamlaka yake, makamu wa rais wa zamani wa Afrika Kusini, Jacob Zuma?

Kwa nini Rais wetu ageuzwe ‘advertisement manager’ wa wafanyabiashara? Kwa nini bendera yetu itumikie biashara badala ya umma?

Kama rais hajui basi ajulishwe. Tujalie kwenye wale anaoandamana nao, wamo wanaotuhumiwa katika kashfa mbalimbali za ufisadi zilizogubika taifa letu.Haoni itakuwa vigumu wahusika kuchunguzwa? Watachunguzwa vipi iwapo ni washikaji na washirika wa rais? Tunajifanya kama hatuijui nchi yetu.Kwa nini rais anashindwa kujifunza kutoka kwa rais wa awamu ya pili, Mzee Ali Hassan Mwinyi ambaye wafanyabiashara walitaka kumtia matatani kwa kisingizio cha kununua kila kitu chake hata leso ya kamasi?

Nani amesahau wafanyabiashara wenye madoa walipofikia hata kumwita shemeji mke wa rais (First Lady), kiasi cha kuwatia kinyaa na kichefuchefu Watanzania wenye rais wao?

Kama rais ameridhika na chama chake kubinafsishwa kwa wafanyabiashara kutokana na sera zake chovu, basi asibinafsishe nchi yetu kwa wafanyabiashara ambao wameishatutia msambweni.Ni upuuzi kwa mtu kung’atwa na nyoka kwenye shimo lile lile mara mbili.

Katika hili, haiwezi kujengeka dhana kuwa rais anawatumia wafanyabiashara anaoandamana nao kuficha biashara zake?

Tuzinduke usingizini tuzuie rais wetu kutekwa na pesa na wasaka ngawira.

Tunatarajia utekelezaji haraka iwezekanavyo ili kurejesha heshima ya mamlaka ya rais na imani ya watu wetu.



Source: Tanzania Daima Februari 17, 2008.

Bunge lisiwe kapu la makapi

KWANZA simpongezi Rais kwa kulazimika kuvunja na kuunda upya Baraza la Mawaziri ambalo kimsingi si jipya bali lenye viraka.Kama amekwenda dukani kununua nguo, akaja na hii yenye viraka kama majinzi ya watoto wa kihuni wa sasa, nitampongeza kwa lipi?Nilipongeze Bunge, waandishi wa habari na wananchi na kusihi tuendelee kumbana hadi kieleweke.

Nitampongezaje wakati kuna sura kuukuu, tena zenye kulalamikiwa, kama Andrew Chenge, Juma Kapuya na Peter Msola?Chenge analalamikiwa kuizamisha nchi kwenye ubinafsishaji mchafu alipokuwa mwanasheria mkuu wa serikali inayosifika kwa uchafu.Kapuya analalamikiwa kwa matumizi mabaya ya ndege za jeshi na kuwa na biashara ya mgodi huko Arusha, huku Msola akilalamikiwa kwa ufisadi uliofanyika chini yake alipokuwa Chuo Kikuu cha Sokoine (SUA), ukiacha kuvurunda kwenye elimu ya juu, hasa mikopo kwa ajili ya elimu ya juu.

Kitu cha msingi alichofanya Rais, nacho kwa kuchelewa ni kupunguza ukubwa wa baraza kutoka 61 na kufikia 47. Hapa tukubaliane, Rais kwa kuendekeza kuwa na mawaziri wengi wasio na kazi wala tija, alilihujumu taifa kwa kuwagharamia maisha yao ghali ilhali hali ya uchumi wetu inazidi kuwa mbaya. Inashangaza uzalendo hasi kama huu kuwa nao kiongozi wa nchi!

Kwa hiyo, tuseme kabisa Baraza la Mawaziri linaloitwa jipya halina jipya kama ilivyo serikali mpya ya awamu ya nne. Litakuwaje na jipya iwapo linapatikana kwa kusukumana na kuumbuana huku likijaa makapi ya utawala uliopita?

Kuna taasisi nyingine inayopaswa kuangaliwa tena kwa jicho kali. Hakuna kitu kinanisikitisha kusikia bunge letu likiitwa tukufu, ingawa kipindi hiki limetutoa kimasomaso liliposimama kidete na kumwajibisha Waziri Mkuu na baadhi ya mawaziri kutokana na ufisadi.

Nasema hivi kutokana na wale waliotimuliwa kwenye uwaziri kubakia ni wabunge. Je, Bunge si taasisi ya umma kama ilivyo 'cabinet'?Inawezekanaje mtu akutwe na hatia kiasi cha kutimuliwa uwaziri ambao ni dili kuliko ubunge, ingawa ubunge ndiyo mtaji, lakini bado abakishwe bungeni?Tunamhukumu kwa lipi na kumvumilia kwa lipi? Ufisadi ni ufisadi na mtu anapotokwa na udhu hana nusu ya usafi wala nusu ya uchafu. Hana udhu. Ni mchafu, hafai kuswali msikitini.

Hivyo basi, kwanza tuseme wazi, watuhumiwa waliolazimika kuwajibika wabanwe zaidi waachie na ubunge. Maana kwa uovu wao, wakiendelea kuwamo bungeni, wata 'influence' kufanyika kwa madudu waliyokwisha kufanya.Wana marafiki na ushawishi mbali na kuwa na kisasi kwa waliowafikisha hapo. Kama mlivyomsikia kwenye hotuba ya kulazimika kujiuzulu, Waziri Mkuu, Edward Lowassa bado anaamini ameonewa na angetaka nasi tuamini hivyo.

Hapa ndipo msisitizo uwekwe; kwa mfano, wanangoja nini wabunge waliotuhumiwa kughushi vyeti, kutoa rushwa na wengine wenye makovu?Watolewe. Hili ni bunge la wananchi, siyo lao. Na kama bunge linaitwa tukufu, basi liwe na sura na sifa ya utukufu, siyo maneno tu.

Na kwa nini wabunge waliovuruga wasukumizwe kwenye majimbo yao wakavuruge zaidi? Hawana udhu hawa. Hawafai kabisa.

Ubunge ni utumishi wa umma. Na Bunge ni taasisi ya umma yenye dhima kubwa ya kutunga sheria na kuidhibiti serikali. Hivyo watolewe na humo bungeni. Nasisitiza.

Kitu kingine muhimu ni kuzingatia kuwa Rais anatawala kwa ridhaa ya umma. Kwa mfano kung’ang’ania kwake baraza kubwa la mawaziri ambalo lilikuwa ni mzigo wa taifa ni kukiuka utumishi wa umma. Ni ufalme usio rasmi; lazima nao ukomeshwe mara moja.

Hapa ndipo umuhimu wa wananchi kuwa wakali unapojitokeza. Kwa mfano, Tanzania inahitaji katiba mpya. Serikali inasema hapana! Je, katiba safi ni ile iliyoridhiwa na umma au serikali?Serikali ipo kwa ajili ya umma. Lakini umma haupo kwa ajili ya serikali. Hivyo basi, katika kupambana na ufisadi, tupambane na ufisadi wa kukatalia kuandikwa katiba upya.

Tukirejea kwa watuhumiwa ambao wengine wamerejeshwa kwenye ‘cabinet’ na Rais kwa sababu azijuazo binafsi, kuna haja ya wadau kushinikiza waondolewe. Tusiwaogope hata kidogo. Kama kigogo kama Lowassa kimefyekwa, hawa ni nani na wana nini? Na isitoshe nchi ni ya wananchi siyo ya rais peke yake.

Kwa nini Rais amekuwa bingwa wa kurudia makosa? Nakumbuka alionywa kuhusu kuteua marafiki, hata kabla hajaunda serikali yake. Lakini kwa kiburi aliwajaza wale wale tena waliokuwa wameishachosha kuanzia utawala wa Mkapa.

Hivi Kikwete, kwa mfano, huwa hasikii watu wasivyotaka hata kusikia jina kama Chenge likitajwa hata kwenye ukuu wa wilaya? Kama hasikii, hivi vyombo vyote vya usalama vya kazi gani? Je, kwa nini Rais anakuwa mbabe na mwenye kibri kiasi hiki?Niliwahi kuandika makala moja mwaka jana juu ya sura inavyoweza kuficha kilichopo nyuma yake, nilimnukuu mwandishi Philip Zambardo kwenye kitabu chake cha 'Effects of Lucifer - Understanding How Good People Turn Evil' (Hardcover), akisema uzuri wa sura unaweza kuficha ukatili hata ubaya wa roho.

Je, sura za baadhi ya watawala wetu ni kichaka cha ujeuri, kiburi hata ukatili? Mbona anatufanyia ukatili kuwarejesha watu ambao licha ya kuwa watuhumiwa wa ufisadi, tuliishawachoka?

Hivi Rais hajui watanzania wamechoka na makapi? Akitaka kujua watanzania ni watu wa namna gani, ajikumbushe jinsi walivyomchukia Lowassa lakini wakawa wanajifanya kumheshimu hata kumpenda wakati si hivyo.Je, Rais anadhani kamchezo kalikotembea ambako imebidi mtu mmoja afe ili wengi wanusurike kanaonekana kukubalika hivyo rais anadhani ataendelea kunusurika hata kwa vitu vilivyo wazi?Huwa siachi kunukuu maneno haya ya Kiingereza: 'Show me your friends I’ll tell you who you are - au nionyeshe rafiki zako nitakwambia wewe ni nani. Au ni yale ya kujuana kwa vilemba kwa Waarabu wa Pemba? Tuhitimishe kutaka taasisi zetu zisiwe vichaka vya waovu, hata kama wanajuana na wakubwa.

Tusisitize. Kurejea kwenye baraza la mawaziri kwa watu kama Chenge licha ya kuwa aibu kwa taifa, ni fumbo ambalo anayeweza kulifumbua ama ni rais au watanzania kuamua kushupaa na kupinga jinai hii ya ubabe na kujuana.



Source:Tanzania Daima Februari 17, 2008.

Wednesday 13 February 2008

Taming First Ladies: Lessons from Canada










The ambiguity, suspicion, confusion and unconstitutionality surrounding the role of first ladies in African countries has forced me to venture into the First Lady’s life in Canada. I am at trying to clear the air regarding this ambiguity by looking at how Canada dealt with it.

If you ask any Canadian to give you the name of Canada's First Lady ( who in this case is the wife of the Prime Minister as Canada has no President) or give an account of part of her daily life, he will have less to say about her or answer by asking a question: "Who is she in our country’s politics so as to bother your mind?"

Frankly speaking, the Canadian First Lady has no power trappings or political weight. She is not even popular and does not like populism. First Ladies here would like to cut their own niche. If one is a teacher, doctor, lawyer or house wife, she 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 does 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 sexual discrimination. To be precise, I was not interested in writing about this issue. But what happened- for the second time- in Kenya, led me to rethink freshly.

Prior to what happened in Kenya, the wife of the prime minister was seen biking with one of her children in the back seat of the motorcycle. Those whose noses are stuck in other peoples’ business had their tongues wagging. They aimed at discrediting their enemy- the PM who defeated them in elections. The Premier told them: he was comfortable with his wife’s biking; and she was at liberty to use whatever means to drop or pick their kids from school.

That is Laureen Teskey Harper. Her life has never been changed by the powers of her husband. She was a biker before her husband came to power and she is still the same. No cavalcade and other fanfares or pomposity. Taxpayers 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 with 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 behave when touring. They make sure that citizens wherever they are must be attended to (although at home, they don’t have that time). The president was the first person to climb onto the dais followed by his ministers and lastly his wife.

When the First Lady was given the podium (as usual with pomposity tenacity and like a politician), she used her husband’s party slogan to greet the citizens! "Kidumu MCC"! she shouted before the baffled audience that were not members of the party! Her husband, the president smelt a rat. He did not wait. He chipped in, "Do you think all people belong to my party?" Laughter and ululations were heard from the audience.

The damage was already been made. People started murmuring. Others voiced their anger and views on too much unconstitutional power the wife of the president commanded. One person asked: why first ladies evolve when their spouses ascend to powers.

The two incidents and the Tyson-like wife of President Mwai Kibaki are wake-up calls for African countries to address the confusion and discomfort surrounding rulers' wives. In many African countries, the unconstitutional position for the First Lady goes beyond limit. Even the children of the first family act like "little presidents." Moi’s children ruined the treasury just because they were the children of the president! Lucy Kibaki seems to have sipped a lot more from the cup of power so as to even attack a media house and beat journalists! This is nothing but abuse of power. It can be committed by anybody if the role of the first family is not tamed soon and timely.

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 outfling her husband?

This can cause damage to Kibaki at this moment when he needs the votes of the Kenyans most. Lucy’s yap-yap and mediocrity will costly cost her husband this time. Does she really know the repercussions of her misdeeds on her husband? If she does, well, her excellency, sorry, the first lady-bear with me-is likely to suffer from a certain bulimia.

I’m not a doc. But it is on record 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?

If African presidents remain above the law and become laws themselves, chances are; many Lucys are likely to feature high in the near future. To be honest, African first ladies are unconstitutionally taking us for a ride.

That is how Canada did away with what Kenya witnessed. 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!




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 Foundland and Labrador (WANL)

Source: The African Executive Magazine- Nairobi, February 13,2008.

Kuondoka kwa Lowassa, nafuu kwa Kikwete

INGAWA shamra shamra za kuanguka mbuyu katika utawala wa Awamu ya Nne maarufu kama Kasi Mpya hazijatulia, wenye vichwa wanajiuliza maswali mengi.

Hii ni baada ya mtu aliyeonekana kama King Maker, rafiki na mpambanaji mwenzake Rais Jakaya Kikwete, Edward Lowassa, kudondoka bila kutarajiwa na kwa staili ambayo haikutarajiwa ukiachia mbali kutowahi kutokea!

Ulikuwa kama mchezo wa kuigiza kwenye filamu za Holywood au tuseme visa kwenye hekaya za Abunwasi. Kwa waliomjua Lowassa na nguvu na jeuri alivyokuwa navyo, hakika hawakutarajia kama angedondoka kirahisi na haraka kama ilivyotokea.

Hakuwa wa kwanza kukumbwa na misukosuko ya kisiasa hasa kwenye kiti moto cha Uwaziri Mkuu. Mtangulizi wake, Fredrick Sumaye anaweza kutoa somo na sura halisi ya kilichotokea.

Lowassa kama Sumaye, alikumbwa na kashfa zihusianazo na kusaka ngawira. Bahati mbaya bosi wake, Rais mstaafu, Benjamin Mkapa kutokana na ubabe wake alizima kila wimbi lililotaka kumsomba mteule huyo, rafiki na mshirika wake ambaye alimaliza ngwe zote mbili akiwa majeruhi kiasi cha kukosa udhu wa kurithi kiti cha Mkapa (urais).

Hii ni baada ya kambi ya Kikwete akiwa na Lowassa na mshirika wao mwingine, Rostam Aziz, Mbunge wa Igunga kumchafua na kumuundia kila njama na hatimaye kumzuia asimrithi Mkapa. Sasa hiyo ni historia.

Kilichomtokea Lowassa na namna kilivyotokea, hakina tofauti na kile kilichomtokea dikteta wa zamani wa Iraq, marehemu Saddam Hussein, ambaye aliogopwa na dunia nzima kutokana na tambo na aina ya ukandamizaji wake.

Hakuna aliyeamini kuwa angeangushwa ndani ya wiki moja! Ndivyo ilivyokuwa hadi kunyongwa akikutwa kajichimbia shimoni kama mhanga, huku picha ya aibu hii ikirushwa dunia nzima, sawa na ya Lowassa.

Hakuna ubishi. Kuondoka kwa Lowassa ni nafuu ya Kikwete kwa muda. Ni nafuu kwanza kutokana na Lowassa kuwa na rekodi chafu, hasa baada ya kutuhumiwa na mtu aliyeaminiwa na kuendelea kuaminiwa na Watanzania - Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.

Nyerere kama ni laana, basi aliiacha. Na kama ni kuona mbali kutokana na tahadhari yake, basi aliona mbali zaidi ya Kikwete, Lowassa hata na Watanzania wote. Aliyosema yamedhihirika.

Pili, alikuwa mzigo kutokana na kutopendwa. Hili nalo siwezi kulitolea maelezo, ama ni kutokana na kariba ya mtu au athari za maneno ya mwanzilishi wa taifa hili ambaye amebaki kuwa mfano na kipenzi kwa Watanzania hata baada ya kufariki dunia.

Tatu, alikuwa akikabiliwa na shutuma nyingi zihusianazo na fedha kama alivyokuwa Sumaye.

Kitu kingine, Kikwete hakujaliwa Wazungu waitacho ‘a gift of gab’ au utaalamu wa kubishana na kujenga na kuharibu hoja kama Mkapa ambaye pamoja na ujanja wake, kadhalika umeshindwa kumsaidia kipindi hiki anapokabiliwa na tuhuma za ufisadi akishirikiana na mkewe, mwanawe na marafiki zake.

Kuondoka kwa Lowassa kwaweza kuonekana kama nafuu kwa Kikwete. Lakini ni kwa muda. Kwa sababu ufisadi bado haujashughulikiwa na ni mwingi na mkubwa ajabu.

Hebu fikiria kama kashfa moja, tena ndogo ya Richmond imeweza kumuondoa waziri mkuu, na hizi nyingine hasa ya Benki Kuu inaweza kuangusha wangapi na wakubwa kiasi gani?

Lowassa pamoja na upungufu alionao, alikuwa ni ubongo kwa Kikwete kiasi cha baadhi ya wachambuzi kumlinganisha na mkono wa kuume wa Kikwete.

Sasa umekatwa. Je, ataweza kuyakabili mawingu ya bahari iliyokwisha kuchafuka na aogelee hadi ng’ambo salama? Hili ni suala la wakati.

Kwa kumtoa kafara, nadhani, Kikwete alidhania angekuwa amefuta swali. Hii ingekuwa hivyo kama wadadisi na wananchi wasingeona mbali wakaridhika na hili. Lakini hali ilivyo ni kwamba wananchi wangetaka mambo yote yawekwe hadharani.

Haiwezekani wananchi wakawa na uchungu dhidi ya ufujaji na wa Richmond, halafu wananchi hao hao wawe kama mfanyabiashara juha, wasamehe wizi mkubwa kama wa BoT, mikataba mibovu ya uwekezaji kwenye nishati na madini, uuzaji wa hasara wa mashirika ya umma kama NBC na mengine mengi.

Hawawezi kufanya kama kwenye kisa cha Mpare, mpenda kesi ambaye aliuza ng’ombe kutetea kesi ya kuku. Hakuna shaka: wameishaonja asali watataka kuchonga mzinga.

Hapa ndipo Kikwete na Chama chake Cha Mapinduzi watajikuta kwenye joto zaidi ya hili la Richmond lililowaacha majeruhi. Na bahati mbaya sana, CCM haina bongo zinazochemka kuweza kuliepusha hili ambalo ni tukio linalongoja wakati muafaka.

Kwa maneno mengine, hapa kuna ugomvi wa kitaasisi baina ya Bunge na utawala ambao kwa muda mrefu umekuwa ukilitumia Bunge kama nyumba ndogo badala ya mshirika sawa.

Bunge linaweza kulaza damu likaridhika. Je, wananchi wataridhika ilhali ugumu wa maisha unazidi kukatua zaidi huku vyombo vya habari vikimwaga habari nyingi juu ya ulaji wa kifisi wa mabilioni?

Tuliwahi kuonya CCM kuwa inaelekea ukingoni mwa enzi na zama zake. Hakika kwa hali ilivyo, kama tochi itamulika vizuri walioko nyuma ya wizi mkubwa wa BoT, Lolote linawezekana.

Ingawa Kikwete ameripotiwa kuwa aliridhia kujiuzulu kwa Lowassa, hii ni kumpa sifa asizostahili. Ukweli ni kwamba Lowassa alifukuzwa na wabunge baada ya kuchoshwa na ubabe wa kikundi kidogo cha watu waliomzunguka na kumbinafsisha rais.

Hakuna pigo kama alilopata Kikwete na Lowassa. Watajikongoja kwa nyonde nyonde ili waepushe shari kamili baada ya kutembelewa na nusu shari. Je, wataweza?

Tuuangalie ukweli hata kama unauma. Mwalimu alionya: wanaotumia pesa kwenda Ikulu wanafuata nini Ikulu na watarudishaje pesa hiyo na walinunuliwa na nani kwa makubaliano gani?

Leo tunaambiwa habari za ndoa ya Dowan na Caspian Construction ya Rostam Aziz ambaye amekuwa akitajwa kama mfadhili mkuu wa Kikwete. Je, hii inaleta picha gani?

Mwalimu alionya: ‘CCM imetekwa na wafanyabiashara’. Hili si uzushi. Tunao wabunge, tena wasio na mshipa hata mmoja wa siasa walioko bungeni kutokana ama na pesa zao au za baba zao.

Wapo tena wengine watoto wadogo watokao kwenye familia zenye biashara ya kutia shaka linapokuja suala la kulipa kodi. Kwanini na hawa tusiwatake waachie ngazi mara moja? Je, tutaridhika na ushauri wa maneno usio na vitendo wa rais kuwa wanasiasa waamue kufanya biashara au siasa?

Nasema ni wazo au ushauri wa longo longo kutokana na kilichoripotiwa hivi karibuni kuwa rais ataandamana na wafanyabiashara zaidi ya 60 kwenye ziara yake ya Ujerumani.

Tukirejea kwa Kikwete ambaye chama chake chini ya kampuni ya chama iitwayo Deep Green imehusishwa kwenye ufisadi wa BoT, yeye na chama chake hawana upenyo wa kuepuka kuwajibika.

Leo watu bado wanashangaa ni kwanini rais hatoi ombi rasmi kwa mamlaka za Marekani kumrejesha Gavana wa zamani wa Benki Kuu (BoT), Daudi Ballali.

Bahati mbaya kashfa ya BoT, kwa kitambo imemezwa na anguko la Lowassa. Je, si wakati muafaka kwa Bunge na wananchi kwenda mbele na kutaka walioko nyuma ya BoT waletwe mbele ya hadhira na kupata stahili yao?

Je, ni nani hao? Kwanini tusitake kuambiwa gharama za uchaguzi hasa matumizi ya wagombea na jinsi walivyopata hiyo pesa, tukajua la kufanya?

Tuhitimishe kwa kusema wazi kuwa Tanzania ipo njia panda na katikati ya mafisadi na wananchi wenye mapenzi mema na nchi yao.

Je, katika kipute hiki ni nani atafuata kutoka kwenye majeruhi wetu? Japo kila jicho na sikio linataka kusikia na kuona muarobaini wa hali hii, ukweli ni kwamba muarobaini pekee uliopo ni kuwajibishana bila kuangaliana usoni. Je Kikwete na chama chake watanusurika?



Source: Tanzania Daima Februari 13,2008.

Niliota nachonga na Nyerere.

TULIMWITA Mchonga kutokana na kuchonga meno. Naye alikubali meno na maneno yake yalikuwa yamechongwa kweli. Yote katika yote, maneno yake yemeendelea kuchongoka na kuwachoma mafisadi, tena kwa namna na wakati ambavyo havikutegemewa!

Kwanza leo niko peke yangu kijiweni, nilivyo na usongo we acha tu. Nikiwa nimetoka kuutwika kwenye sherehe za kujipongeza kutokana na ukweli kudhihiri na baadhi ya mambo kuwekwa hadharani, niliamua kuupiga usingizi baada kupiga vifijo na kushangilia si kwa sababu ya kumchukia yeyote bali matendo yao.

Nikiwa ndiyo nimeutwika kutokana na ofa za wenye nazo siku hiyo, niliingia kitandani kwa furaha. Maana hata mshirika wa 'bedroom' si haba. Siku hii alionekana kufurahi akiwa na matumaini mapya kuwa huenda nchi yake itarejeshwa mahala pake.

Kwanza niwaonye. Msizowee kuota kama mimi au wengine walioota kuwa wao watakuwa wao katika kila kitu, hasa lijapo suala la ulaji wa njuluku za wadanganyika waliokufa wakimlilia Mchonga.

Ndoto ilikuwa hivi. Niliota nasalimiana na Mwalimu Julius Nyerere akiwa mwenye furaha. Eti alinishika mkono kwa furaha akinipongeza kwa kurithi kipaji chake cha kuchonga. Alisema. "Kijana, hata kama huna jukwaa la kisiasa, una jukwaa la kalamu. Kweli kalamu yako na wenzako ni kali".

Alitabasamu nikaona yote thelathini na mbili yakiwa meupe pe kama kawaida yake. Alisema. "Mwanangu kwa miaka yapata kumi nilikuwa na simanzi sina mfano. Hata akina Edward Sokoine, Seth Benjamin na Mkwawa walikuwa wakisononeka. Lakini leo nina furaha na nakutaarifu: lipo jambo nililosema miaka 14 iliyopita.

"Lakini bahati mbaya hamkunielewa. Siwalaumuni. Ni uteke na uchanga wa mambo kwenu hasa nyinyi vijana wa sasa msiosoma historia na mambo mengine yanayoendana na dunia yenu yenye kila ya changamoto." Alinikazia macho na kucheka kwekwe kwe. Nami sikujivunga. Niliungana naye nikacheka kwa sauti. 'Kwa kwa kwa.' Mwalimu anaendelea. "Nilisema nikapuuziwa. Wengine waliniona kama mzee mjamaa. 'What a mistake'! Walisahau kuwa utu hauna ujamaa wala ubepari. Nasema tena bila kufumba. Yuda atatiwa msalabani mbele ya Lucifer. Nilisema na nitasema.

Mama Maria na Rashidi mashahidi. Kila jiwe linapaswa kufunguliwa. Maana bado uchafu upo na ni mwingi ukiachia mbali hii kulindana." Ananuna na kuzidi kunikazi macho hadi napata taabu nilipokuwa.

Anaendelea. "Niliweka mfumo safi chini ya azimio. Chini ya Azimio la Arusha. Niliweka mfumo safi sana kabisa. Walikuja wahuni wakauvuruga na sijui Azimio sijui Angamio la Zanzibar. Hawa ni wahaini. Walipaswa kukamatwa na kufungwa. Walivuruga nchi hawa." Anakohoa huku akiwa anazidi kukunja uso na kuendelea.

"Leo watu wangu wamekata tamaa hadi kusema nchi imeoza. No. No. Nchi haijaoza. Waliooza ni wao. Unawaona walivyooza kijana? Pale. Pale Ikulu nilionya. nilionya pale Ikulu pamegeuka pango la wezi. Nilionya pale ni patakatifu. Kuna nini sasa? Naona wahindi, waarabu na wengine.

Kumekuwa kama pale Magomeni kwenye karata tatu! Wasiowatakatifu wakienda patakatifu wakafanya yasiyo matakatifu watapachafua patakatifu. What is this? Kijana nakuuliza. What is this? Hii inachukiza sana.

"Watu wachafu kuingia patakatifu inachukiza. Zamani wakati wa Musa, mtu mchafu akiingia patakatitu akapanajisi adhabu ilikuwa ni kwa taifa zima. Wakati ule tukisoma pale Tabora, mwalimu wangu Mzungu Mr. Denis alizoea kusema: God was less mercy for the messy." Anacheka tena na kuendelea. "How come watu wazima wafanye mambo ya kitoto halafu waje kutudanganya na kutufanya wapumbavu? Anayekudanganya hukufanya wewe juha kama yeye." Anatikisa kichwa na kuendelea.

"Pale Mwitongo ni mbwa. Ni mnyama wa ajabu sana! Jamaa yule hulinda mali zangu kila siku. Ajabu hadai mshahara zaidi ya mifupa, mapupu, makanyagio na makombo. Huyu ni hayawani hawezi kusema, kudai wala kulalamika hata kama anaumia. Huyu ni mbwa. Watu ni watu. Huwezi kutendea watu kama mbwa ukawa nawe mtu. Watu hutendewa kiutu. Anayewatendea watu kama mbwa naye hanusuriki. Watu ni watu hata kama mliwadanganya kwa takrima."

Anafikicha mikono na kuendelea. "Where and how did you get this money? Mlinunuliwa nao mkawanunua. Mlinunuana na kuchuuzana. Mlichuuza roho na miili yao hata yenu. Leo mnakaangana na kuchuuzana zaidi. You’re vending each other.

Leo mtakamata huyu. Kesho mtakamata yule. Lakini bado tatizo litaendelea kuwapo kama hamtatumbua donda zima. Huwezi kuchezea haki na utu ukanusurika. Kama utanusurika ni kwa kitambo kidogo tu nasema. Haki mnaweza kuchezea kuuza hata kununua. Lakini mwishowe-mwishowe mtaumbuana na hata kutoana kafara. Juzi nilisikia maneno ya ajabu kabisa. Sikuwahi kusikia 'bangusilo'. Hata kidogo. Na bado. Kwe kwe kwe!" Anacheka.

"Wazanaki wana ngoma. Kwa Kiswahili nii niii, sema au pasua. Ndiyo. Pasua. Katika ngoma hii watu husutana hasa watemi pale wanapotenda mambo ya hovyo. Mtemi husutwa hata kusemwa mambo yake ya ndani kama atafanya mambo ya hovyo.

"Baba yangu alikuwa chifu. Alikuwa chifu. Mtu safi kabisa anayeheshimiwa na wote. Anayejiheshimu na kuheshimika. Hakuwahi kuimbwa wala kuimbiwa nyimbo za hovyo za pasua. Si yeye wala naibu wake.

Leo ukiona naibu wako anaimbiwa pasua jua umeimbiwa wewe. Maana yeye anakuwakilisha wewe. Ukiona kavuliwa nguo jua umevuliwa wewe.

"Jivue uchafu kuliko kuvuliwa nguo. Haya yanatokea na yatatokea sana kama watu wataendelea kufanya mambo ya hoovyo. Ndiyo. Ndiyo. Wapo vijana mahiri. Wamesoma na kuelimika. Wanajua kuandika. Wanajua kujenga hoja na kuzitetea. Hawaabudii pesa wala rushwa hawa.

"Ni vijana safi wa azimio hawa. Ukiowana au kuwasikia utawajua. Waliua azimio wasijue wanajiua. Hawa ni vipofu. Ni vipofu hawa. Maana hawakuona mbali zaidi ya kuishi kutumbukia kwenye kaburi walilojichimbia wakidhani wanawachimbia Watanzania."

Anatoa leso yake mfukoni na kujifuta mdomo na kuendelea. "Hawa walaaniwe na kusakwa popote walipo na kuonyeshwa cha mtema kuni. Ndiyo ndiyo. Watafutwe na kudhalilishwa, kufilisiwa ili wengine wasirudie jinai hii.

"Hii nchi ni ya wananchi. Siyo ya vibaka na malaya wa kiuchumi na kisiasa. Ndiyo. Maana malaya hujiuza kwa yeyote bila kujali ukubwa wala udogo wake."

Nikiwa naendelea kufaidi mawaidha adhimu na adimu ya Mwalimu mara mshirika wangu wa 'bedroom' alinitingisha ili aniulize jambo fulani mara nikakatisha ndoto yangu. Nilikuwa nikitokwa jasho hadi pombe iliniisha.

mpayukaji@yahoo.com

Source: Tanzania Daima Februari 13, 2008


Sunday 10 February 2008

Richmond, big guns-cum big goons and sippers.





The other day I went to a neighbouring pub whose name is Matukio. It’s adjacent to my landlord’s mbavu za mbwa he regards a palace.

As you know, sippers are like politicians. They drink much of liquor the same way politicians drink from the cup of power. They think: they know everything; and they can say anything. They tell lies that look like truth and the truth that looks like lies.

So you need to ignore some of their views and take some.

As the fate has it, we sippers, when taking one hot and one cold sort of ulabu, we tend to be as free as the molecules in the atmosphere; and we even cross the line so as to suffer laissez-aller.
As I’ve said, sippers and politicians are of the same cut. They like speculating and talking about politics.

Going back to the day in point, as I was working on my mchupa, I was joined by one guy who deceives us; he is working for national insecurity-sorry-- security alias uhasama- sorry usalama wa taifa. His name is Vyombo. Don’t confuse this with media.


This guy seems to be a school drop out. He talks of many things so as to be regarded as elite though he isn’t.

You know what? The punk said: he knows the big cheeses that brew and incubated this thing eating up the brains of our honourable MPs-Richmond!

As he pronounces the word, my brain is going into circlets! Does he? May be may be not; who knows. I am soliloquizing in my mind.

He says. "Mpa, do you know the bastards and dastards behind Richmonduli? Due to the effects of ulabu, he can’t even pronounce it rightly. But who cares? This is not the University of Manzese.

He gazes at this and that side and goes on. "This goof has been in the big picture since the times of Moses (the old man who found the country of honey and milk).

Due to the sensitivity of the topic and the facts that my ulabu hasn’t worked properly in my small skull, I feel a bit annoyed but what can I do if at all liquor without lies does not go well down the throat?

The punk goes on shouting. "The name of the bugger is ... and he is going to cause wars in this island of peace in pieces shan’t we watch and tame him."


As he skips the name, our friend Edward whose nickname is Luwasha because he lights quite often, comes in shouting. This guy is the wisest in our pub. He likes to call himself Lowasa. They call me Nyerere because of my points.

There is another sipper we nicknamed Ka-damage and M7ha. Ka-damage goes by the name due to the damage he causes to our purse. He sips without buying. When his turn comes he finds some pretext as he leaves in the cold. This guy was rich before he cascaded down to penury. His, he usually tells us, was to spend nights in big hotels in London sometimes with prostitutes or sealing big deals.


As Vyombo declines to mention the name of the bugger behind Richmond, he defends himself. "In this country you can trust nobody. Trust not even the dog or the donkey. I will disclose the name of this shark the other time. But importantly, you all know this mole is a big gun-cum goon. Because he is abusing his office he pretends to glorify and celebrate altogether."


He quaffs his beer and goes on. "Moses warned the people to be ware of the gawk but they did not heark him!" He sips his beer and goes on. "You know honourables? This son of bitch controls even other big noises. His Richmond is like a government within another!"

As he goes on, he finds that all sippers are dead shocked and are beginning to lose interest in his big words.

He starts swearing in order to convince sippers’ cabinet what he is averring is plain truth.

"I swear in the name of the great-great grand mother of my grand mother. Shall what I am saying turn to be untruth, let the late my father come and flog me."


Luwasha joins and takes on; and does not like the whole brouhaha about Richmond and the brute behind it. He proposes we speculate about why are our people lazy at thinking. This provokes all sippers who think this guy is satirizing them.

One of us says. "You gook, do you think we’re fool who should work to benefit others like the thieves and nincompoops behind Richmond?"

"Hey man, don’t call me names. What does gook mean? I am trying to help you build your country but you’ve taken me for a goon!"

Before Luwasha finishes his point, Vyombo chips in. "I too was telling you the whole saga of Richmond so as to enable you telling your MPs to disclose the guy behind the scam. But unfortunately you have ignored me and thought I am telling you some cheap lies!"

Ka-damage does not wait for Vyombo to keep on addressing them. He weighs in. "Guys, you know what? Some of our colleagues pretend to know much more than others. Why don’t you talk of successful privatization especially in the minerals whereby we are now selling tones and tones of minerals? This has even forced George from the bush to visit our country? By the way, why don’t you form your pocket political outfit and mint money?"

As he was still ranting, I realized that the discussion was oscillating into a sort of warfare. I thus decided to call it a day.

But what I learned is the sole fact that sippers know more than other who do not sip think. That is our story of Richmond, big guns-cum big goons and sippers.

Mission accomplished. Let’s meet at the next session at the same pub. So long for now,
nkwazigatsha@yahoo.coms

Source. ThisDay February 10, 2008.

Friday 8 February 2008

Kwako Rais Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete

Je umeamua kuzaliwa upya au?

Laiti ungetoa hotuba kama dreams of a Goon!

Kwanza nikupongeze kwa kuunda tume ya Mwakyembe na kukubali kuwajibika kwa waziri wako mkuu wa zamani Edward Lowassa mbali na kutangaza mkakati mpya kabambe kwa ajili ya taifa letu.

Ukisoma hotuba ya rais wakati wa kuomba kupewa muda aweke mambo sawa na kukubali kujiuzulu kwa rafiki yake na waziri wake mkuu, kama itafanyiwa kazi neno baada ya neno kuna mambo mengi yanaibuka. Je ni maneno matupu au tutegemee matendo?

Pili je rais asipofanya aliyoahidi kipindi hiki tena kwa hiari yake wananchi tufanye nini.

Hakuna maneno niliyoyapa uzito kama, "Tatu, nawahimiza viongozi wote waliojihusisha na ufisadi wowote wa kimsingi kama kwenye mikataba ya madini, Netgroup Solutions, Uuzaji wa Mashirika na Raslimali za Umma, Ununuzi wa rada na ndege ya Rais, Ununuzi wa vifaa vya Jeshi, Mikataba na TANESCO kama IPTL, Kiwira, nk, wakiri kwangu kimaandishi kushiriki kwao na kuorodhesha mali walizopata kutokana na matendo hayo. Wakifanya hivyo sitawachukulia hatua za kisheria ila nitawasimamisha kazi ya umma na kurudisha mali ya wananchi panapohusika."

Je hapa rais mstaafu Benjamin Mkapa, mkewe, mwanawe, na maswahiba zake wa TanPower, ANBEN, Fosnik watanusurika? Je Kikwete ameamua kumpiga mtama Kikwete aliyekuwa ametekwa na wapambe kiasi cha kuyapindua maneno na nadhiri zake dhidi ya kumfungulia mashitaka na kumchunguza Mkapa? Yetu masikio na macho.


Hebu soma maneno haya na uyapigie mstari. "Pili, natangaza kugandisha (to freeze) akaunti zote za mali za wale waliohusika na shutuma za Richmond , na BoT, pamoja na kushika rehani mali zao zote zisizohamishika kwa nia ya kurudishia serikali mali yoote ambayo inaweza kuwa iliibiwa na washutumiwa. Ili wasife njaa serikali itaendelea kuwalipa nusu mshahara hadi uchunguzi au mashtaka kumalizika" Je rais ataruhusu umma utangaziwe ni mali gani na zipi ziko wapi na za nani zitakuwa-frozen ili kuepuka mizengwe ambayo tumeishazoea?

Juzi tuliambiwa Jeetu Patel yuko Dubai akitanulia pesa yetu. Je hawa ambao wanatuhumiwa na hawajakimbia nchi atatuhakikishiaje hawafanyi kama Jeetu? Na je atatoa oda akina Jeetu na Ballali warejeshwe mara moja ili washughulikiwe?

Ningeomba nimsogeze mbele zaidi kumtaka na mkurugenzi wa TAKUKURU-Edward Hosea awajibike mara moja huku mawaziri kama Andrew Chenge, Basil Mramba, Edward Lowassa wawekwe chini ya ulinzi/ uchunguzi mara moja.

Pia isisahaulike. Watu kama Rostam Aziz aliyetajwa na Bangusilo Ibrahim Msabaha mbali na kutajwa na vyombo vya habari mara kwa mara asiponyoke. Hapa Habari Corporation lazima imulikwe zaidi na zaidi.

Pia kwenye ofisi yake rais kwenye kitengo cha habari kuna mtu aliyeteuliwa hivi karibuni. Amelalamikiwa sana. Naye madhara ya kazi ya kalamu yake si kidogo ahusike mara moja.

Kwa vile rais ameamua kuwa rais wa watu badala ya kuwa adui wa watu kama tulivyokuwa tumeanza kumchukulia. Azidi kwenda mbele. Afagie kuanzia chumba cha kulala. NGO ya mkewe isimamishwe mara moja.

Na si hilo tu. Afanye kama Bingu wa Mutharika aliyewafikisha mahakamani wale waliojidai walihoga ili achaguliwe. Kama nasi kwetu kama inavyosemekana hili lilifanyika-na inavyoonekana lilifanyika hata kama ni kwa faida ya rais basi wahusika wachukuliwe hatua sawa na waharifu wowote bila kujali ukubwa wala ushawishi wao kwake. Hapa ndipo kesi ya Ditopile Mzuzuri inapofufuka na kutaka uchunguzi upya.

Leo tunawajua watu waliochezea uchumi wetu. Bahati nzuri rais amewataja. Ametaja Net Solution na mengine. Amesahau NBC, IPTL, mbuga za wanyama, TRA, Bandari na kwingineko.

Kama rais ameamua kuisafisha nyumba yake. Basi aombe taarifa toka kwa umma ili mambo yawekwe hadharani. Kwani kufanya hivyo kutakuwa ni kuudhihirishia umma kuwa Kikwete ameamua kuzaliwa upya.

Kitu kingine alichokitaja rais ni kuiondoa nchi kwenye utawala wa kiimla. Hii maana yake ni kwamba aridhie haraka kuandikwa upya kwa katiba ya nchi. Maana kinachogomba hapa siyo personality bali mfumo mzima unaohitaji kuwa overhauled. Kwa kuandika katiba upya, tutawabana watawala wote wanaoondoka madarakani kwa kashfa kama Mkapa na Lowassa wasiendelee kuchezea pesa zetu kwa kulipwa malipo ya kustaafu wakati hawakuwahi kutufanyia kazi. Kwa sasa wanatuibia sawa na yaya aliyemuua mtoto wako ukamzawadia gari na nyumba.

Bila kuandika katiba upya, yote itakuwa bure sawa na kupaka rangi bahari au upepo. Nani chizi afanye hivi au akubali kufanyiwa hivi?

Sehemu nyingine ambayo ni mama wa yote haya ni CCM. Siyo uzushi kuwa CCM inanuka na imetekwa na wasaka ngawira. Kama alivyosema marehemu Horace Kolimba, CCM imepoteze mwelekeo. Iko wapi miiko ya uongozi?


Tufikie mahali tufanye kama nchi za wenzetu. Nitatoa mfano kwa Kanada ninapoishi. Huwezi kununua gari au mali yoyote bila kuonyesha ulivyopata hiyo pesa. Tusidanganyike na ubinafsishaji na uongo wa uchumi wa kisasa alioozoea kutufungia kamba Mkapa. Kuna uchumi wa kisasa kama wa Marekani au Kanada duniani? Huku watu wanaogopa ufisadi. Si wananchi wa kawaida wala si viongozi. Kila mmoja anaogopa ufisadi. Maana kwa mifumo yao si rahisi kuficha chumo la wizi.

Leo tuna watu matapeli matajiri wa kutupa ilhali tukijua walivyopata kwa njia za wizi. Hawa nao washughulikiwe kuanzia mwenye kumilki dala dala hadi kiwanda.

Mapato ya watanzania yafahamike na kudhibitiwa vinginevyo tunapoteza muda.

Pia mradi wa vitambulisho vya umma uharakishwe huku kila ofisi zikiwa computerized haraka sana. Huku kinachofanya iwe vigumu mtu kuuibia umma licha ya mfumo ni matumizi ya Kompyuta. Kila mwananchi mwenye kitambulisho au mkazi wa kudumu wa Kanada taarifa zake ziko kwenye national data base. Huwezi kukwepa kitu hapa. na ndiyo maana hata wahindi waliozoea kuja Tanzania ni mataxi drivers na wafagizi hapa.

Tufikie mahali tutumie elimu yetu vizuri. Tuchunguzane na kutiliana shaka kuanzia rais hadi Matonya. Rais kama atadhamiria kufanya haya sina shaka ataleta mapinduzi na ukombozi kwa mwananchi vinavyoweza kuliondoa bara letu kwenye makucha ya akina moneybags wa ndani na wa nje.

Leo tunawacheka wakenya. Hakika yaliyopita Kenya yangepita Tanzania nchi ingesambaratika. Kinachoendelea kuwastiri ni uchumi wao ingawa nao unamilkiwa na mbweha wachache wa ndani na kihindi.

Tukirejea kwa Kikwete, wapo watu hata kama ni kwa kujikomba waliandika kuwa ni tumaini lililorejea ambalo baadaye lilitolewa kwenye kuwa a man of the people kwenda kuwa enemy of the people. Basi tunataka tumaini hili lirejee haraka sana iwezekanavyo. Rais aseme anachomaanisha na kumaanisha anachosema vinginevyo tutakuwa tunatwanga maji.

Kitu kingine muhimu na lazima. Ziundwe taasisi huru za uchunguzi na usalama wa taifa zinazochunguzana kama M6, Scotland yard. Hizi ziwe mamlaka huru zisizozidiana mamlaka wala kuingiliana. Hapa ndipo wakubwa watashika adabu. Maana hakuna atakayejua anayemchunguza.

Tusisahau bunge na mahakama kuwa huru dhidi ya utawala. vyombo hivi virejeshwe kwenye maagizo ya Montesqui ya separation of powers kama mwongozo wa utawala bora.

Pia watumishi wa taasisi za kupambana na kuzuia rushwa-TAKUKURU wachunguzwe wote halafu ivunjwe. Maana kama iliweza kuisafisha Richmond tena kwa kutumia pesa ya umma, ni mshiriki wa ujambazi-conpirant.

Ukitaka kumuua nyani usimuangalie usoni kama ilivyotokea kwenye sakata la Richmond.

Pia tujenge taasisi huru za habari. Hii maana yake ni kwamba vyombo vya habari viwe fourth estate kweli kweli. Visihujumiwe kwa kunyimwa matangazo kama ilivyokuwa simply because vinaisema vibaya serikali. Nani atakusema vibaya kama unatenda mema. Ingekuwa hivyo basi Yesu na Mohamad wasingekuwa maarufu sasa.

Nihitimishe kwa kumkumbusha rais kuwa moto aliouanzisha kwa kuanzisha tume ya rais ya Mwakyembe ni sawa na msumeno. Unakata kule na kuno. Awe mkweli na tayari kuyapokea mageuzi na changamoto zake.
Mungu ibariki Tanzania.

Nkwazi Nkuzi Mhango,
St. John’s NL
Kanada.

Thursday 7 February 2008

Sifa, sura na matendo ya Lowassa Kasi mpya msambweni.



Tulisema na kuandika. Tulikumbushia na kushinikiza. Mwanzoni tulionekana kama wachonganishi na wambea wa kawaida. Tulizodolewa na kutungiwa majina na tambo na mashairi kila aina. Ama kweli hekima ya siafu kufia kwenye mzoga imedhihiri!

Hakuna siku simu yangu ilipata kazi kama tarehe 6 Februari siku moja baada ya chama cha mapinduzi kinachounda serikali tawala ya awamu ya nne kutimiza miaka 31.

Bado nakumbuka jana yake nilikuwa nimetoa changamoto kwa taifa kuwa CCM inaweza kuchagua kuendelea kubinafsishwa kwa watu wabinafsi na wafanyabiashara wa roho na miili ya binadamu. Nakumbuka Kijiwe na ukenge wa kuiona mvua na kukimbilia baharini. Nakumbuka mstari wa mwisho kuwa wabunge wamfichue habithi aliyeko nyuma ya Richmond ambaye nimekuwa nikimsaka na kumpa vijembe vyake.

Nilionya: umefika wakati wa wana-CCM wenye mapenzi na nchi yao kukipoka na kukirejesha chama chao mikononi mwa umma kama alivyokiacha mwanzilishi wake marehemu Mwalimu Julius Nyerere ambaye nadhani huko aliko atakuwa mwenye furaha na matumaini.

Nani amesahau tulivyoonya kuwa mambo ya serikali hayapatani na mambo ya urafiki? Bado nakumbuka nilivyohanikiza kupinga kuteuliwa kwa waziri Mkuu, Edward Ngoyai Lowassa swahaba mkuu wa rais Jakaya Kikwete na wale wote waliopata madaraka kwa mgongo wa urafiki au jeuri ya pesa yao.

Sasa imebainika kuwa Edward Lowassa alishinikiza kuridhiwa kwa kampuni tata ya Richmond kupewa tenda kinyume kabisa cha sheria na matarajio ya wengi. Amelazimika kujiuzulu. Huu ni ushahidi tosha kilichogunduliwa na tume ni kweli. Imebaki ni kitendawili ilikuwaje mtu mwenye cheo na dhamana kubwa kiasi hicho kuridhia kampuni ya mfukoni kupewa tenda ya kitaifa!

Maneno yangu na watu wengine kama Ansbert Ngurumo na wengine yalionekana kama kutafuta sifa hata kunyimwa ulaji katika genge jipya ndani ya ikulu. Niliuita mfumo huu ukuku, usindano, ufisi, unepi na majina mengine mengi tu.

Namshukuru Subhana sikukata tamaa wala kutetereka. Mpayukaji kama ada, nilizidi kupayuka nikihakikisha neno Richmond, IPTL, ANBEN na madudu mengine hayakauki mdomoni wala kwenye ukurusa wangu hasa Jicho la Kijiweni.

Nisiwachoshe kwa nilisema nini. Kwanza licha ya kutumia Kijiwe kuuamsha na kuuleta mbele ya hadhira mzimu wa Richmond, nilitunga kitabu kiitwacho "Nyuma ya Pazia" ambapo mhusika mkuu ni waziri mkubwa aitwaye Edmond Mpendamali Mwaluwasha wa nchi ya Mafuriko ya utajiri yenye mafuriko ya umaskini ambaye anaiingiza kampuni feki ya Richmen kwenye nchi ili kujenga mabwawa ya maji wakati ni kampuni ya kutengeneza dawa za kuulia wadudu.

Waziri huyu ambaye ni swahiba wa Rais, akishirikiana na waziri Niziro Mulangila Kadamage na katibu wa wizara Geryy Tamaa Mgonjwa na wengine, wanaliingiza taifa la Mafuriko kwenye matataizo. Uchafu huu wa kutisha unafichuliwa na gazeti maarufu la Chimbuchimbu hadi unaitikisa nchi na mwisho wa yote umma unashinda.

Stori ni ndefu. Nilichofanya ni kuandika kitabu kama alivyofanya Mwalimu kwenye Hatima ya Tanzania baada ya kuona mambo si mambo. Kitabu hiki Mungu akijalia, kitasomwa nchi nzima karibuni.


Tukirejea kwenye dhima ya kuandika waraka huu maalumu, sitaacha kuwapongeza waandishi wa habari na kamati iliyowaletea watanzania faraja kwa kupiga pale pale siyo -to beat around the bush. Tumetumbua jipu.

Nimefarijika kuandika. Ni kwa sababu watu wetu wameamka na kuanza kuiona njia waliyoonyeshwa na Musa-Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. Wameukataa urafiki na unafiki. Wanataka watendewe kama walivyoahidiwa na siyo kutendewa kama vihongwe. Wameukataa ukuku dhidi ya ufisi niliokuwa nikiongelea kwenye makala zangu. Wamejitenga na usindano na uumbwa kushona nguo nyingi na kulinda mali nyingi lakini mbwa na sindano wakaishia kuwa uchi na maskini wa kutupwa. Wamefanya mapinduzi ya kifikra mchana kweupe.

Tulisema na tutasema: serikali ya awamu ya nne lazima ijitofautishe na ile ya awamu ya tatu. Iturejeshee nchi na heshima yetu vilivyokuwa vimewekezwa kwenye mifuko ya watu wenye uchoyo na ufisi huku wakitugeuza sindano na kuku atagaye mayai vicheche wakajichukulia halafu wakarudi kumaliza hata na vifaranga vilivyonusurika kwenye wizi wa mayai yake.

Kilichofanyika ni watanzania kusema tena kwa herufi kubwa: TUNAITAKA NCHI YETU NA RASLIMALI ZAKE. TUNAITAKA KAMA TULIVYOPEWA NA MUNGU NA TUNASEMA ASIYETAKA KUTUPA NCHI YETU AJIANDAE MAANA HII NI NCHI YETU SIYO YAKE WALA MAMA YAKE.

Leo nina furaha japo jana sikulala. Ningelalaje iwapo simu zilikuwa zikishindana kunipongeza na kunipa sura ya mambo yanayoendelea? Nakumbuka simu ya kwanza ilitoka kwa Uingereza kwa swahiba na mpambanaji mwenzangu, Ansbert Ngurumo. Tuliongea masuala haya kwa zaidi ya saa nzima. Nilijaribu kujilaza kidogo kufanya tafakuri. Mara Martin Malera akanipigia kunipa mhutasari wa impasse iliyokuwa ikiendelea nchini mwangu.

Hii niiache; ilikuwa ni sehemu ya maisha ya kawaida. Tukija kwenye kilichofichuliwa na kamati maarufu ya Mwakyembe, hii ni ndumo; kuwa sasa watawala wanaojificha nyuma ya madaraka na vikorombwezo vyake, wakae chonjo mambo yamebadilika.

Ni tangazo; kuwa madai yetu na madeni yetu lazima yalipwe tena leo leo. tumemsaidia Kikwete mara nyingi dhidi ya vinyamkera waliomzunguka wengi wakiwa wenzetu wakiimba utukufu badala ya utukutu. Leo haki imedhihiri. Tulianza na Ballali sasa moto utawaka hadi wote tunaowajua wanaong’ang’ania kwenye ofisi zetu wakizifanya zao kana kwamba sisi ni hayawani.

Tunataka Richmond iwekwe msalabani. Tunataka na ule mzimu mama na baba wa wizi wa pesa zetu IPTL ufufuliwe na kudurusiwa upya. Tunata ANBEN, Tanpower, Fosnik na madudu mengine tuyajuayo vifanyiwe kazi. tunamtaka mwanzilishi wa machukizo haya, Benjamin Mkapa kwenye mahakama ya umma. Lazima naye kama Fredrick Chiluba, avuliwe kinga; ili haki itendeke. Tunataka; sasa tumbane zaidi Kikwete aunde serikali ya watanzania na siyo ya marafiki.

Tunaitaka Tanzania kama ilivyo. Tunata serikali ifanye kazi iliyoahidi kuifanya badala ya mazingaombwe, kujuana, kulindana na kulipana fadhila. Hakika watanzania wameamka na kuitwaa nchi yao kwa njia ya amani. Tumejifunza yaliyotokea Kenya na hatuwezi kuwa vipofu na vichaa kuumwa nyoka kwenye shimo moja mara mbili.




Sifa, sura na matendo ya Lowassa Kasi mpya msambweni. Ni kichwa cha makala hii. Je yaliyoibuliwa na tume ya Mwakyembe yametufundisha nini? Siyo kila ving’aravyo ni dhahabu na lisemwalo lipo; kama halipo laja. Na kubwa zaidi ya yote ni asiyesikia la mkuu mguuni huota tende. Mwalimu Nyerere alitwambia: kuna watu wana mali nyingi walizojilimbikizia kwa njia zisizoeleweka. Leo tumejaza watoto wa wakubwa BoT. Leo tuna matajiri majambazi ambao sifa ya kuufikia ukwasi huo ni kujuana na wenye madaraka. Lakini wanafanya kosa. Maana, wenye madaraka ni umma ambao unapoamua hakuna wa kuuzuia. Tujikumbushe yaliyotekea Poland, Romania, Iran,Afrika ya Kusini na kwingineko.

Kitu kingine tunachoona ni somo ni kwamba rais kuanzia sasa aanze kuusikiliza umma badala ya wapambe na walamba viatu ambao wengi wanatumikia matumbo yao wakimtumia rais kama kifaa. Tunamtaka rais arejee kwa waliomchagua. Tunataka wote waliohusika na wizi wa pesa yetu sisi watu maskini wawajibike na mali zetu zirejeshwe kuanzia pesa, vyeo, majumba na mstakabali wetu kama taifa na jamii. Hakika haya ni mapinduzi adhimu ya kifikra dhidi ya ulafu, unafiki, usanii na kila aina ya ghilba na hadaa.

Mwenzio akinyolewa tia maji. Je hili la Lowassa ni mwanzo wa mwisho wa siasa za biashara na usanii katika ofisi za umma? Je atakayefuata ni nani? Je Lowassa alikuwa peke yake na ni wa mwisho? Je kuna mkubwa zaidi yake? Je huu ni mwanzo wa mwisho au mwisho wa mwanzo? Time will tell and I am sure it will rightly and accurately tell.


Siwezi kumaliza makala hii maalumu bila kumpongeza na kumpa pole Edward Lowassa ambaye kwa kung’amua ukweli aliamua kujiuzulu bila kusukumwa sukumwa kama baadhi ya mawaziri wake wanaoendelea kukaa maofisini ili waharibu ushahidi na hatimaye wanusurike. Nasema hawatanusurika hata kwa chembe. Nasema hawana pa kujificha. Nasema wasijidanganye wakadhani watatudanganya kama ambavyo wamekuwa wakifanya. Hakika za mwizi arobaini.

Kwa rais Kikwete, asiyekubali kushindwa si mshindani na we learn through mistakes. Kaa. Tulia. Anza alifu na ujiti kabla umma haujageuza meza dhidi yako. Wewe uliwaaminisha wananchi unawafaa. Uliapa peke yako na siyo na marafiki wala watangulizi wako. Basi kaka rejea viapo vyako uchape kazi. watanzania siyo wapenda makuu. Ukirejea kwenye mstari wanaweza kukusamehe. Lakini jua kabisa CCM haina cha mswalie Mtume lazima ibadilike kabla haijabadilishwa kutoka aliye hai kwenda marehemu.
Hakika ni ushindi tushangilie na kuimba lakini tusibweteke kwani mapambano ndiyo yanaanza. Na ni mapambano magumu na ya muda mrefu. Hakika yaliyojiri ni mwanzo wa mwisho wa ngebe. na hakika Sura na tabia ya Lowassa kasi mpya msambweni. Je tutegemee nini zaidi.
Mungu ibariki Tanzania.
Alluta continua.