JK, never move down on corruption

BEFORE President Jakaya Kikwete formally gave a nod to the resignation of his former minister for infrastructure development, Andrew Chenge, he was regarded as stick-in-mud sort of administrator, just like his predecessor, Benjamin Mkapa.

Some said: he was even a lame duck and insincere on corruption! But nay. Give the devil its due. Kikwete has proved to be bold to let his consigliore pack and hit the road. Though this is not all, let us encourage him to do even a lot more.

Now that Kikwete has, at last, heard our noises reminiscent to those surrounding him, he needs to be encouraged and reminded that this is what we wanted from the day he came to power. If anything, shall Kikwete stay put this way this is a new turn that is likely to reduce blemish and anguish people have with him.

Scandals involving Kikwete’s inner sanctum have been trumpeted loudly by the media. This chance, if it is wholeheartedly taken, indeed can help the president who for long, has been ballyhooing to alleviate the situation and take a new direction and a new stand.Tanzanians have been assiduous to give the president a leeway to put his house in order. French people have it Avec la patience on arrive a tout, meaning with patience one is sure of arriving.


This should be reciprocated by taking positive actions in lieu of a raw deal. True, this must not be taken as the sign of weakness or desperation for all sides. Even if it is taken this way there are possibilities for those playing ping pong to exhaust tricks they have been using and finally land themselves in hot soup. The government has been in a tug-of-war with the Wananchi as far as combating corruption is concerned due to its laxity. It’s not vindication to the government. Its efforts and willingness in fighting corruption have proved to be futile and miry. Thus it is high time now that the government affirms and reinvigorates its commitment to this end shall it need any more patience and assistance from the masses.


There are striking issues that need to be addressed expediently.
Firstly, to deal with two already ripen corruption scandals, namely Richmond and EPA. We know who are behind these scams. Bring them to book so that justice can be seen being done. By and large, making public the names of these facade-creatures is what has for long been torturing the government. It is high time for everyone to bear his cross regardless of who that person actually is.

By consenting to the political demise of his two lieutenants such as Edward Lowassa and now Andrew Chenge, president Kikwete, if he is serious and he means that and the spirit of accountability is not foiled, believe ye me, we can turn things around. Time for experimental politics, leg dragging and all the like is likely to be over.

Let me surmise. Mr President, please never relegate back to suspense and whitewashing on corruption. Never stroll languidly about as we started to believe. Anza na chapa kazi mzee. My last word today is, "ex abundantia cordis os loquitur’’, that is ’’the mouth speaks from the abundance of the heart.’’
By the way, how far has the government gone with regards to Malegesi and Lukaza? We need to know. For why should we holler over one million bucks and keep mum on 25 million?

Source: The Thisday May 5, 2008