Kijiwe kuendesha maombi Afrika nzima kwa ajili ya Tunduni Lissu

 

            Baada ya kuona waumini hata matapeli wakiendesha mikesha ya kuombea kaya, Kijiwe, kwa vile kina wanachama ambao ni waumini wa kweli–na si wasaka ngawira na wachumia tumbo–kimeamua kuendesha mkesha wa bara zima la Afrika kumuombea shujaa wa ukweli aliye tayari kuufia ukweli kama Plato, Tunduni mwana wa Lissu aliyeumizwa na majembuzi na wapinga maendeleo na uhuru wa kujieleza waliotaka kumnyotoa roho.

            Mgoshi Machungi baada ya kurejea kutoka kwa king’ang’anizi Bob Mugabe anakwanyua mic baada ya kuamkua. Anaronga “wagoshi nina ushongo na kijiwe na mic hasa ikizingatiwa kuwa timekaa miezi mitatu bia kukwanyua waa kubusu mic.” Anatugeukia na kutuangalia na kuendelea ‘au shiyo wagoshi? Mwenzenu nina uchungu sana. Hapa manaponiona nina mpango wa kwenda Uhoanzi kumjuia hai Tunduni mwana wa Issu aiyetaka kunyotoewa roho na wajaaana wasiojuikana ambao mpaka sasa wameendeea kutojuikana wakati wanajuikana.”

            Kabla ya uendelea, Mijjinga anampoka mic na kudema “kaka usinikumbushe shujaa huyu anayeendelea kusota kitandani. Hata hivyo, namshukuru Muumba kwani waliotaka kumnyotoa roho wameshindwa na kuadhirika.  Kama uchache utaruhusu, tutakwea pipa pamoja kwenda kumpa kampani shujaa huyu wa aina yake kaya nzima.”

            Mgoshi hangoji aendelee kufaidi mic.  Anampoka mic na kuendelea “bashi mwenzenu nina wazo kuwa tiitishe mkesha wa baa zima la Afiika ili timuombee apone haaka arejee kuja kuendeleeza mapambano au siyo?”

            Kapende ambaye alikuwa akimnong’oneza jambo da Sofia Lion Kanugaembe anaamua kula mic. Anazoza “kwa vile kwenye kaya yetu tunapendana na wote ni ndugu, hili si jambo baya. Hukuna mama makamu alivyokwenda kumpa tafu kule Nairoberry kwa wakora juzi juzi kabla ya kukwea pipa kuelekea Uholanzini? Huu ni mfano wa kuigwa.”

            Kabla ya kuendelea Mipawa anamnyang’anya mic na kudema “hili la bibi wa makamu kwenda kumdeku mie sioni kama ni dili iwapo baba mwenyewe na kipaza sauti wamekula pini ukiachia mbali kutohimiza waliotaka kumsokoine kushindwa kupatikana kwa kisingizio cha kutojulikana. Hivi kweli hawa wajalaana hawafahamiki? Au ni kuzinguana na sanaa ukiachia mbali kuwa na mkono wa mtu?”

            Msomi Mkata Tamaa anaamua kutia guu na mapema “kaka paha umeibua hoja na maswali mazito na muhimu. Haiwezekani kaya yenye ndata na ndutu na kila ghasia za usalama kushindwa kuwabaini na kuwashughulikia hawa wajalaana kama hamna namna. Kama kaya haiwezi kuwabaini na kuwachukulia hatua stahiki hawa wahalifu basi ni hatari kwa maisha ya wana kaya wote na hakuna haja ya kuwa na lisilikali ambalo kwa kizaramo huitwa sitting duck or do nothing powers that be.’

            Kabla ya kuendelea mzee Maneno anampoka mic na kuchonga “Msomi angalia hicho kikameruni. Hujui kuwa nasi tuna lugha ya kaya ambayo mnene ameamua kuipigia chapuo kiasi cha kuanza kujulikana na kuheshimika? Hivyo, kaka zoza Kiswahili au siyo Msomi?”

            Msomi anatabasamu na kuendelea “kaka usemayo ni kweli tupu. Hata hivyo, nisamehe. Kwani nilipitiwa. Hata hivyo, si vibaya kujikumbusha madude na lugha niliyokuwa natumia wakati nikisomea PhD zangu nyingi. Hayo tuyaache. Naunga mkono wazo la kumuombea Tunduni ila nina sharti. Sitataka tuwahusishe wachunaji wanaojiita wachungaji na mashehena wasije kutia laana dua yetu. Nitapendekeza tuombe sisi wenyewe na walevi wote barani tena kwa kutumia Mulungu na si miungu ya kigeni na ya kikoloni.”

            Mpemba hangoji amalize “yakhe mie sikuelewi ati.  Uniposema Mulungu wamaanishani? Wadhani wote matwahuti wasio na dini wanaowezaomba kwa miungu ya kishenzi siyo?” Kanji anaamua kula mic “mimi ungakono na guu Somi. Vote iko na dini yetu ya asili dugu yangu. Kama veve zarau dini yako basi vote nacheka veve. Sisi takwenda omba Brahma asaidie hii Tundu ipone haraka sana.”

            Msomi anakatua mic tena ‘leo Kanji umenifurahisha sana. Afadhali umesema wewe. Maana, waswahili wakati mwingine ni viumbe wa ajabu. Wanadharau na kudhalilisha mila zao huku wakipwakia za wengine hadi kufikia hata kutoana roho kama ilivyo kwa Tunduni ambaye ameumizwa kwa kutetea wana kaya dhidi ya mambo ya ajabu ajabu.  Unaweza kuzunguka jiji zima. Hutakuta nyumba ya ibada ya Kiswahili bali za kiarabu, kizungu, kihindi, na juzi juzi nilisikia za shetani kule Idodomya ambapo chizi mmoja alitaka kuanzisha. Tunajidanganya na kudanganywa bila kujua kuwa huwezi kuheshimika kama hujiheshimu na kuheshimu chako. Hili ni somo la siku nyingine hasa nikizingatia kuwa ni pana hasa kutokana na kutamalaki kwa matapeliw anaodai watenda miujiza wakati ni wezi watupu. Hawa–mnasisitiza–washirikishwe kwenye kumuombea Tunduni. Watamwombea nini wakati wana madhambi zaidi ya shetani mwenyewe? Wataomba kwa Mulungu gani wakati miungu yao ni fedha na utajiri?”

            Sofi aliyekuwa akisikiliza kwa makini anaamua kula mic “mwenzenu nikimkumbaka Tunduni huwa machozi yananitoka. Sijui tunaelekea au kupelekwa wapi ambapo udugu tuliorithi umegeuka uhasama wa kutoana roho? Tulizoea kupingana kwa hoja siyo ngumi na risasi wala kesi za kubambikiziwa”

            Kijiwe kikiwa kinanoga si mvua ikaanza kunyesha! Acha tutimke mbio utadhani mvua inaua! Waswahili kwa kuogopa mvua lakini wasiogope miwaya, sina hamu!

Chanzo: Tanzania Daima leo, Jan., 31, 2018.

People's president Raila Amolo Odinga takes the oath of office as UhuRuto cowers and lick wounds

           At last, Kenya's opposition leader Raila Amolo Odinga (RAO, also one of the National Super Alliance (NASA) was yesterday sworn-in as the "people's president'. If anything, this stubbornness was aimed at undermining the authorities not to mention coaxing it into unleashing brutality that would have cost it dearly. Again, what's the significance of this swearing in for Raila and Kenya?
      First of all, it aimed at assuring NASA's supporters that their leader is not a coward who is afraid of the authorities. In other words, swearing in energised Raila's base. It showed him as a man of actions who breathe and live what he preaches as opposed to his compatriots in NASA who lost their significance yesterday soon after Raila was sworn-in. Although Raila enjoyed the support from the Coast, what transpired yesterday was a show of force for Mombasa governor Hassan Joho.
          Secondly, Raila wanted the government to make a goof and act foolishly and end up in bigger crisis and quandary than the ones it is now facing.
          Thirdly, the swearing in has brought Raila back to the limelight as far as the politics of Kenya in the future is concerned. It is the beginning of the journey to the 2022 elections.
           Fourthly, by being sworn in without any resistance from the authorities, Raila has  assured himself how his next moves will succeed for the fear of mayhem.Had his co-principals partaken of the swearing in, Raila would have lost his chance to stand again in the coming elections. Therefore, the swearing-in has secured him a golden ticket as a  major contender. However, there are those who deceive themselves  thinking that Raila is old to stand again. What a goof! No retirement in politics of Africa. If Mugabe was ready to soldier on, why can't Raila?In 2022, Raila will be 75 just like Emerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe who is standing this year. So, too, there are other presidents who ran when they were in their seventies such as Nelson Mandela and Abdulaye Wade. Therefore, here the age is nothing but numbers for Raila. 
            Fifth, the absence of other NASA's co-principals Kalonzo Musyoka, Moses Wetang'ula and Musalia Mudavadi, has emboldened and cemented Raila as the true leader who can steer Kenya in future after Kenyatta lapses his term in office. So, too, this defiance has secured Raila yet another chance to  take a short at presidency without necessarily needing to repay the leg up and support he enjoyed from the co-principals who have proved to be cowards and political prostitutes. Furthermore, the swearing in has portrayed Kenyatta as a coward if not a noisemaker who cannot make good on his promises.
           Sixth, Raila now knows how the UhuRuto government fears him. This is obvious. Raila intimidated it; and beat it at its own game. He therefore will give it a heck of challenge provided that he knows nobody wants to go back to The Hague.
            Seventh, by taking the oath of non-existing office, Raila has symbolically convinced Kenyans that he is still in the game seeking the very office. His new title people's president dwarfs Kenyatta. My friend from Kenya gave me a call after Raila's swearing in teasing that Kenya now has the people's president as opposed to the Nugu's president, nugu is Kikuyu word for apes.
         Eighth, by being sworn-in, Raila has notched past potential future candidates that supported him to end up failing him at the moment of truth. This puts him ahead of others who are contemplating to stand for election 2022.
      In a nutshell, however ceremonial or symbolic Raila's swearing in can rightly be construed or misconstrued, it has given him more political mojo and tempo to keep in on vis-a-vis 2022.

Thank you president Donald Trump: open letter

          Dear Donald John Trump, POTUS,

            I hope you are fine. Congrats on discovering that your upstairs is normal.

Mr. President, I am writing this letter to thank you for telling the truth however bitter and ugly it might be misconstrued.  Remember how the world caught fire when you told it as it is? Let me remind you. After being frustrated by immigration policies, you decided to call a spade a spade so as to make the whole world accuse, curse, huff and puff as if it doesn’t know who you actually are.  I remember reading the Washington Post that broke the news quoting you as saying “why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?”  First of all, those condemning you seem to have forgotten your campaign promises that your presidency will be about making America great again even if doing so means to make America a threat.

            Secondly, those blaming you forget that you have proved to be the true president of the US but not the world. This is different from your predecessors who used to act and think as if they are the presidents of the world simply because they were presidents of the US.

            Thirdly, I am wondering why people are attacking you for defending your country. Some people say that your words were abhorrently provocative and racist. Of course, they were. Did they think racism has been rooted out from the world? What is the problem, to show the truth, especially how your country, and the West in general perceive others? I praise you for unearthing the true face of how the U.S and the West perceive others, especially those they once colonised and kept on exploiting up until now.  

            Those who truly know you and those who voted for you Mr. President weren't shocked or annoyed provided that you represent your voters and country altogether. Mr. President, hate or love what you said, I don’t hate you. I like you for being open and trustworthy. First, you are not a hypocrite. Nor are you a politician. You don't brag or smile where you're supposed to just like other Westerners who always strive to show only a positive self.  You say what you want to say without seeking to be politically correct. And you say it the way you want to say it but not the way listeners would want you to say it.

            Mr. President, those who don't know you and your take of Africa and black people in general must start researching about you.  Do you remember in 1973 when you and your dad were accused of denying black people the right to rent your apartments? As if this wasn’t enough, do you remember how in 2013 when Obama promised to assist Africa, you warned him noting that “every penny of the $7 billion going to Africa as per Obama will be stolen-corruption is rampant!” As if this wasn’t enough, you added that Africans “are people who import everything including matchsticks. In my opinion, most of these African countries ought to be recolonized again for another 100 years, because they know nothing about leadership and self-governance.” Mr. President, didn’t you know that African countries have never been independent like the US and the West are?  How could they be independent and still begging shamelessly not to mention their elections being funded by independent countries? What is wrong with you telling them the truth? Don't they imports all sorts of nonsenses despite running their own countries for over five decades?

            Now, let us face it. Aren’t many African countries corrupt? Aren’t they importing matchsticks despite priding themselves that they have been independent for over six decades? Aren’t some of African rulers addicted to begging; and proud of doing so?  Do those who rob their countries respect them or treat them just like ***hole? Who respects it on earth? Don’t those tinkering with the constitutions of their countries to cling to power treat them like s***hole?

            Mr. President, what's wrong with you telling them to put their houses in order instead of languishing in believing that the president of the US is the president of the world? What's wrong with you reminding such countries to stop clinging to colonial hangovers of thinking that they must be told lies as it has been since they gained their chimeric independence? What's wrong with you abandoning s***hole policies that your country used to use by sending the CIA to topple non-complying governments as it happened in Chile, the DRC and Guatemala where their leaders, Salvador Allende Castro, Patrice Emile Lumumba and Jocobo Arbenz Guzman were toppled and killed respectively simply because they were not ready to be in bed with imperialism and shithole and thuggish policies?

            In sum, Mr. President, keep on educating the world about things by doing what many love to hate and fear to touch. Congrats on making good your campaign promises that attracted American voters to elect you as the sign of how endemic corruption was in the US, especially swampy Washington you promised to drain. Is racism saying it or doing it? Aren't s***hole countries not discriminated against and exploited economically internationally? 

Source: Citizen, Wed., Jan. 24, 2018.

Msamaha wa rais usigeuzwe dili kusaka umaarufu

            Mwishoni mwa mwaka jana, rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Dk John Pombe Magufuli, kwa mamlala aliyo nayo kisheria, alifanya kilichowastua wengi kwa kutoa msamaha kwa wafungwa katika kuadhimisha kumbukukumbu ya uhuru wa Tanganyika. Katika msamaha huu wa rais, ulihusisha hata wale waliokuwa hawatarajii acha kutarajiwa kuachiwa kama vile wale waliokuwa wamepatikana na hatia ya kubaka, ambayo kisheria, hawakupaswa kusamehewe. Hili lilizua malalamiko toka kwa watetezi wa haki za binadamu hasa baada ya wasamehewa kuonekana wakijivinjari kwenye viwanja vya ikulu. Wanaopinga hili walisema kuwa linawapa ujasiri waliotenda makosa ya ubakaji.  

Hata hivyo, si lengo la makala hii kujadili uhalali au mamlaka ya kufanya hivyo. Niseme wazi kuwa rais alitumia mamlaka yake kuwaachia alioona wanafaa kuachiwa baada ya kujiridhisha, kupitia vyombo vyake kuwa havunji sheria, hasa katiba aliyoapa kuilinda, kuhifadhi na kuitetea kama mkuu wa nchi.   Pia, si nia ya safu hii kuhoji kama rais alizingatia maslahi mapana ya wahanga wa baadhi ya jinai ambazo zikitendeka na mtuhumiwa akakutwa na hatia hapaswi, kisheria, kupewa msamaha kama ubakaji. Kwanini nagusia hili? Ni kuepusha kuonekana kama rais amefanya makosa kutokana kufanya ambacho kisheria hakiruhusiwa wala kukubalika hasa tukizingatia sheria kama sheria na heshima na haki za waathirika wa baadhi ya makosa. Wapo ambao wameishaanza kutumia kuachiwa kama mtaji wakizunguka huku na huku wakivutia vyombo vya habari kuwahoji. Wapo wanaodai kuwa wanafanya waliyofanya kama ishara ya kumuunga mkono na kumshukuru rais. Rais keshawaachia inatosha. Hana haja ya kuendelea kusikia mambo yenu. Heri mkae kimya na kumshukuru Mungu na rais kimya kimya badala ya kutafuta usupastaa unaoweza kuwaponza baadaye.

            Makala ya leo inajikita kwenye kadhia mbili, yaani wasamehewa kutaka kutumia fursa hii ama kutafuta umaarufu wakisahau kuwa msamaha hauondoi kosa la jinai walilopatikana nalo na ile ya wasamehewa kurudia kutenda makosa ya jinai kiasi cha kuonyesha kuwa msamaha wa rais ni kama dhihaka au una makosa kwa kuachia watu ambao hawakupaswa. Hivyo, ushauri wa kwanza, ni hawa wahusika kujua kuwa kusamehewa na rais, siyo fursa ya kutafutia umaarufu au kurejea kwenye maisha ya jinai bali kujrekebisha na kuomba Mungu wasiburuzwe tena mahakamani.  Pia wahusika wajue kuwa msamaha wa rais ni jambo ambalo ni sawa na bahati nasibu. Katika nchi inayofuata sheria vilivyo na kufanya uchunguzi wa kina kabla ya kutoa misamaha kwa wahusika, kusamehewa na rais tena kwa makosa yasiyosameheka, saa nyingine ni jambo ambalo linaweza kuitwa muujiza hasa ikizingatiwa kuwa kufanya hivyo, kunaweza kuleta madhara kwa mamlaka au kuifanya iangalie upya uamuzi wake na kuziba mwanya wa makosa kama yalitokea ima katika kuchunguza tabia za wahusika na mazingira ya kuhukumiwa au sheria.

            Hakuna kilichoshangaza safu hii kama kuona baadhi ya wahusika ambao si raia wa Tanzania, kuonyesha kaubabe fulani ambapo kwa nchi za wenzetu siku walipoachiwa wangefukuzwa nchini. Ni ajabu kuwa Tanzania haikufanya hivyo kwa sababu ambazo mamlaka inajua yenyewe. Kitu kingine kilichonisukumba kudurusu wazo hili ni ile hali ya wasamehewa kutokana kosa walilofungwa nalo. Tumeona wengine wakisema hadi kutoa machozi kuwa ima walionewa au kubambikizwa kesi tofauti na hawa wanaosaka umaarufu kwa sababu tu wameachiwa na rais.

            Wahusika wanapaswa kujua kuwa rais aliwasamehe si kwa mamlaka tu bali tokana na huruma yake. Hata kitendo cha baadhi kukaribishwa ikulu kilizua utata hasa kwa waathirika wa kadhia waliyoshitakiwa nayo wasamehewa na kupatikana na hatia na kufungwa maisha. Sijui wazazi wa watoto na watoto waliofanyiwa vitendo hivyo, huko waliko, wanajisikiaje? Je hawa wasamehewa wangetaka nini kifanyike kama vitendo walivyokutwa navyo hatia vingetendwa kwa wapendwa wao, watoto, dada, shangazi au ndugu zao? Japo naweza kuonyesha kama nawabagua wahusika, kwa vitendo walivyopatikana navyo hatia na kufungwa, wajue kuwa Tanzania ni taifa lenye huruma. Maana kwenye nchi nyingine ikiwamo yao, ukishafungwa imetoka.  Kusema ukweli, kuna kipindi Tanzania tunakuwa wakarimu sana kiasi cha kutia shaka kama kweli tunajua thamani ya utaifa wetu.

            Mbali na wanaosaka umaarufu na kushindwa kuomba msamaha au kuonyesha kuwa wamejutia makosa yao, wapo wanaotumia fursa ya kusamahewa kama kuitukana mamlaka iliyowapa upendeleo huu. Kwani, tayari wengi wameisharejeshwa kule wakiwa wametenda makosa ya jinai kuiachia mbali baadhi kuwa mikononi mwa vyombo vya dola wakisubilia kufikishwa mbele ya vyombo vya sheria baada ya kupatiakana na ima silaha au kujihusisha kwa njia moja au nyingine na jinai.

            Tumalizie kwa kuwataka wasamehewa kuwa na fadhila. Watende mambo mema. Wale walioachiwa kama nilivyioanza kwa makosa yasiyosameheka, wasijione ni wajanja au wasitumie msamaha wa rais kutafutia umaarufu na kuonyesha ubabe. Kwani, wale waliowakosea, licha ya kuwa watu, wana makovu ya mateso yao. Kwa wale ambao si raia wa Tanzania, wazidi kumshukuru Mungu.  Kwani ingekuwa nchi nyingine, jambo kama hili lisingefanyika tena bila serikali za kwao kuiomba serikali lau kufikiria kuchukua uamuzi kama huu wa ajabu. Pia, tumshukuru rais kwa kuwa na huruma muhimu afuate sheria na taratibu ili kuondoa malalamiko.

Chanzo: Tanzania Daima, Jan., 24, 2018.

Mpayukaji arejea toka Ukanadani kuulizia bomba letu la bomba dear

            Baada ya Kijiwe kungojea bomba letu la bomba dear toka Ukanadani bila majibu, kiliamua kunituma mimi kama Mkiti wake kwenda kudodosa kujua kunani lau kiweze kusaidia kaya kulipata. Ndiyo maana kwa miezi minne hivi, hapakuwa na kitu ugani. Nilikwenda kutafuta nondo. Nilianzia pale alipolianzishia totoTudu Lissu kuwa bomba letu jipya la Bomba Dear lilikuwa limenyakwa kule Ukanada, wanoko walimuita mmbea wengine msaliti na mambo mengine tu ya hovyo na matokeo yake akaishia kumimiminiwa shaba kibao. Hao wameshindwa na watanyong’onyea kabla ya kupukutika mmoja mmoja.

             Sasa siku zinazidi kuyoyoma wala bomba letu kipenzi hatulioni. Je kunani; mbona mabingwa wa kuzoza na kuzodoa hawasikiki? Zifuatazo ni adidu za rejea nilizofanyia kazi. Je ni kweli kuwa kuna washenzi na matapeli wa kimataifa walioingia kayani wakijifanya wanatafuta kazi kumbe kupiga njuluku zetu waliotufanyia kitu mbaya? Kama ni kweli, inakuwaje wale wanene walioendekeza upigaji huu tunaendelea kuwapa shavu badala ya kuwazomea hata kuwaonyesha lupango? Tunawaengaenga kwa lipi wakati walituingiza kwenye matatizo tokana na upogo na ubinafsi wao? Hamkusikia munene akisema wakati wa kuzindua taarifa kuhusu mawe akilalalimika kuwa kaya ilikuwa imegeuzwa shamba la bibi kwa wapigaji kuja kujipigia kama vile haina mwenyewe? Kaya ilikuwa ikiliwa mbele na nyuma tokana na kuongozwa na machangu kimaadili . Unapowapa unene vilaza, hata hivyo, unategemea nini?

            Kwa vile majibu hayatoki; na inavyoonekana, hakuna mwenye ubavu wa kuyatoa, kijiwe kiliamua kunilipia visa, nauli na malazi kwenda zangu Ukanadani kujua kunani? Hii ni kutokana na uzalendo–na si usaliti–wa kijiwe. Hivyo, msishangae kusoma mikakati hii hasa ikizingatiwa kuwa siku zilizopita niliipa kaya mbinu ya kuepuka wapigaji wa kimataifa wanaotumia mahakama zao za kijambazi kukwamisha maendeleo ya kaya kapuku hasa baada ya munene kusema kuwa hatakuwa tayari kujidhalilisha kama waliomtangulia kukesha kiguu na njia akienda ughaibuni kubomu kana kwamba yeye ni taahira. Haiwezekani kaya inayokalia utajiri wa kutisha iendelee kubomubomu kama vile haina raslimali. Huwezi kuongoza kaya vizuri wakati unapoteza muda kuzurura na kutanua bila sababu. Kama ingekuwa amri yangu, wajalaana kama hawa ningewatia kitanzi lau liwe somo kwa wengine wanaodhani kaya hii ni shamba la chizi.

            Najua kaya yetu ilikosa raslimali moja kubwa inayoitwa kwa kisambaa smart upstairs baada ya kung’atuka mzee Mchonga. Ni pale ilipopata wavivu wa kufikiri, malimbukeni na wazuraraji kama viranja wake wakaishia kujisifia kuzurura na kubomu ukiachia mbali kuiingiza kaya kwenye mikataba ya kipumbavu na kijambazi inayoihangaisha kaya. Kama si upuuzi wao, bomba letu kipenzi wala lisingekuwa gumzo hadi tunaitana majina mabaya ukiachia mbali kuonana wabaya bila sababu zaidi ya upumbavu wa wajalaana hawa.

            Kwa vile Mpayukaji si mgeni Ukandani, nilikwenda kukutana na washikaji zangu wa zamani ambao ima niliwafundisha au kusoma nao ili tuone namna ya kuinasua kaya na mkwamo huu.  Niliwahi kutoa msaada na ushauri wa bure kuwa kaya inapotaka kufanya mambo kama haya, inapaswa iwe inatuhusisha sisi wataalamu wa mambo ili kuepusha hasara inayoweza kutokana na vitu kama hivi. Kitu kingine nilichokwenda kufanya Ukanadani ni kuona kama kuna namna kaya yetu inaweza kujitoa kwenye mahakama za kishenzi za kinyonyaji kama hizi ambazo zimekuwa zikionea kaya za Kiswahili kwa sababu zilianzishwa na wakoloni waliotuibia bila kuwafikisha kwa pilato wakalipia madhambi na uhalifu wao vizuri.

            Kabla ya kuanza msafara huu mrefu kwenye kaya hii ya Ukanada inayosifika kwa baridi, ukarimu na ukwasi wake, naomba wahusika wasiogope aibu kutokana na nyodo walizoonyesha pale totoTundu aliposema Bomba Dear au Dear Bomba yetu ilikuwa imenyakwa tokana na kudaiwa na waduwanzi na washenzi fulani matapeli wanaotaka kutuingiza mkenge.  Baada ya kutia timu niligundua kuwa kweli bomba letu dear limenaswa. Maana, unaposhughulikia tatizo kama hili lenye amri ya mahakama nyuma yake, lazima uwe umejiandaa na zana zako zote. Huwezi ukavamia inshu kama hii kwa pupa ukafanikiwa. Sana sana utalizwa kama inavyooanza kuonekana kwenye mazungumzo yasiyo makini ya kimakinikia. Ndiyo maana, nashauri, siku zijazo, wanene wetu wajitahidi kufanya mambo kwa kuyapima kabla ya kuingizwa mkenge tokana na maamuzi na madili mengine ya kilevi levi ambayo kaya yetu ilizoea kuingizwa ikiwa chini ya walevi wa madaraka na washamba wa mambo kiasi cha kupoteza muda mwingi kwenye uzururaji bila sababu za msingi. Nampongeza sana dingi kwa kukataa ujinga na ulimbukeni huu wa kujilisha pepo wakati walevi wakinyotolewa roho na ukapa na ukata.

            Kwa vile ninapaswa kufanya maandalizi ili kuepuka aibu ya kuingizwa mkenge kama hawa wanaotaka kuingizwa mkenge, nilifanya utafiti wangu kisomi na kuona ukweli ambao siku zijazo nitatoa namna ya kuufanyia kazi na kufanikiwa. Juzi nilipitia zangu Brusels kum-breaf kumjulia hali na kumwombea dua totoTundu na kumpongeza kwa kuweka mambo hadharani hata kama aliumizwa vibaya sana.

Kwa ufupi ni kwamba bomba dear letu limenasa na sijui namna ya kulinasua.

Chanzo: Tanzania Daima Jumatano Jan., 24, 2018.

Legendary Saxophonist Hugh Masekela is no more

Legendary South African saxophonist , Hugh Masekela, died yesterday of prostrate cancer that was diagnosed in 2008. Masekela will be remembered for his contribution in pulling down apartheid regime in South Africa. RIP Hugh Masekela.

Are African constitutions still sacrosanct?

            The constitution of any country is a crucial part of it; it is the one that creates and guides the country in whatever it does. Recently, modern-day uber-greeds proved to be on top of the game vis-a-vis cling to, grabbing, and usurping power. They committed treason of tinkering with the constitution. Ironically, while individuals entrusted to protect, respect and uphold the very constitution tamper with and defecate on it, they call their insults against their people democracy and the will of the people! Which people are these?  Criminals in cohort with their parties or movements, for many years, have used the term ‘people’ to legalise their delinquency. Such criminality has held Africa to ransom. For Africa to move forward, the majority citizens need to rebel against whomever tampers with their constitution.

            Citizens need to stand up and speak out that nobody’s above the law. For, this is a loophole many stinking tin-pot dictators–who tinker with the constitutions of their countries under many ruses such as finishing off the job as if their countries are their private estates–use. They swear to uphold the constitution to end up underholding it; to do justice to end up doing injustices and to respect the constitution to end up disrespecting it by tinkering with and trampling on it. They swear by their foreign gods–as they ignore African ones–to end up selling their countries to foreigners.

             American former president Abraham Lincoln warns us saying that “don’t interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties.” This proves: the constitution isn’t only sacrosanct but also paramount. Again, do citizens know this centrality of their constitutions a few misguided and narrow-minded bêtes noires can tamper with and get away with murder for the peril of the masses?

             As Albert Einstein puts it, “the strength of the Constitution lies entirely in the determination of each citizen to defend it. Only if every single citizen feels duty bound to do his share in this defense are the constitutional rights secure.”  This is different from what transpired recently in many countries that allowed their potentates to tinker with their constitutions in order to illegally remain in power, plunder and lord it over the citizens as they wish.  If anything, this is counter developmental by nature.

             I wonder if the things people say make sense to themselves let alone to others. For example, apart from the constitution, one of the symbols of the nation is its national anthem. Uganda’s has some lines “united, free, for liberty; together we’ll always stand.” Do the majority of Ugandans who sing this song on many occasions know really what they mean; and what their national anthem stand for? How, if, for many times, have they allowed themselves to be taken for the ride as they evidence their strongman defecates on their sacrosanct document? Does Uganda constitution and those of the countries whose dictators tinkered with have any sacrosanctity left in them? Who is to blame?

            The same applies to Burundi whose national anthem has a stanza that reads

Our Burundi, sacred heritage from our forefathers,

Recognized as worthy of self-government,

With your courage you also have a sense of honor.

Sing the glory of liberty conquered again.

            Where’s self-government if the constitution is abused? Is there any glory of liberty amidst constitutional abuses? Do Burundians know what they sing and hold dear as a nation that says “acceding to independence with honorable intentions” Do such honourable intentions still exist whereas a single power-hunger individual can take the entire country for a ride and get away with it?

            The other day, I heard some mentally-sick boobs espousing the same treason we’ve evidenced been committed in Uganda and other countries. They want our constitution defecated on in order to usher in cult and skinny politics revolving around individuals. To hell with them; may they perish! Any leader or ruler who’s a man or woman enough must protect, respect and uphold the constitution by putting it above power hunger and whatever nonsenses constitution abusers and supplanters use to dupe their unsuspecting people. Jacob F. Roecker once warned that “the greatest threat to our Constitution is our own ignorance of it.” Aren’t those whose constitutions are tampered with ignorant of their constitutions and the danger to themselves? Who’ll save them from themselves? Whoever call themselves leaders or whatever who don’t respect the constitution are criminals who have no right to be in office. Such criminals need to be behind bars irrespective of the power they wield. How many criminals do we’ve in our offices; and for how long will Africa go on making do with such criminality; and collectively and massively become accomplices?

Source: Citizen, Jan., 17, 2018.

Je ndugu Reginald Mengi anajua dhuluma inayofanyika kwenye magazeti yake?

                    Nimeamua kutundika makala hii lau kwa sababu kuu kadhaa. Mosi, ni baada ya kudai malipo yangu kwa ndugu Reginald Mengi kwa kufanya kazi katika magazeti yake kwa miaka mitatu bila malipo. Pili, kuzungushwa kiasi cha kuhisi huenda kuna kamchezo ambako wengi wasio na ujasiri wala uwezo wa kupambana nako wanakwazwa nako. Tatu, uwezekano wa hujuma hata kutokuwa na mawasiliano mazuri katika makampuni ya Mengi. Nne, kutaka wahusika wajue kuwa huu ujipu wao hauvumilki na wanachofanya ni dhuluma. Tano, kutaka wahusika wawajibike tokana na umma kujua mambo ambayo kimsingi ni kinyume cha wanavyojionyesha au kujitangaza.
                     Sijui kama  mzee Mengi anajua kuwa kwa sasa wachangiaji wengi kwenye magazeti yake wamekuwa wakidhulumiwa kwa madai mbali mbali na hasa wengine kutumia mbinu ya kukwepa kuwasiliana na wahusika au kusimamisha huduma yao bila kujali hata madhara kwa pande mbili. Maana anayelaumiwa kwa sasa si mwingine isipokuwa Mengi mwenye makampuni yake.  Mfano, mimi nilipewa safu mbili na nikachangia kwenye magazeti ya the Guardian on Sunday na Nipashe Jumamosi kwa miaka mitatu mfululizo bila malipo. Kila nikiulizia malipo yangu nilikuwa nikiambiwa kampuni haina fedha kwa sasa. Je hii ni kweli? Sikuamini mtu kama ndugu Mengi anayesifika wka ukwasi wake kuishiwa kiasi hiki. Hivyo, nachukulia kilichofanyika kama visingizio vya kufanyiwa dhuluma kitendo ambacho si haki na ni ushenzi. Ushenzi huu niliofanyiwa na magazeti ya Mengi ulisimamiwa na watu wawili mmoja mhariri wangu Gaudensia Mngumi ambaye sijui kama ni mzima kiakili ukiachia mbali kuonekana wazi kuwa kihiyo wa kutupwa. Wa pili ni Edmund Msangi  bosi wa Gaudensia ambao wote ni kabila moja. Sijawahi kufanya kazi na watu wapuuzi na wenye ujinga kama huu. Mpaka sasa nashangaa Mengi alivyowaajiri majipu kama haya.
                         Kwa ufupi, msomaji, haya ndiyo yaliyonikuta ambayo nimeamua kuyaweka wazi hapa lau wahusika wajue kuwa hakuna anayevumilia dhuluma na ufisadi wao. Nashauri wote walioathrika kama mimi wajitokeze lau dunia ijue aina ya watu tulio nao nchini.
Kwa ufupi, kwa wasomaji wangu waliozoea kusoma makala zangu toka kwenye magazeti tajwa, siko tena na nimedhulumiwa. Habari ndiyo hiyo.

War on Graft: Look neither ape nor chimp in the face

            After evidencing some mega-con artists being hauled before the court and being in the doghouse, Tanzanians were in the Va-va-voom like mood waiting to see more following suit. The other day when I was swallowing offal and kanywaji, I heard some boozers–of course, after being turbocharged with kanywaji–saying that what they’re evidencing is but the beginning of the end of impunity. Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin. After hollering at the top of their lungs about Escrew to no avail, boozers were enchanted to see, at last, justice creeping and closing in to those bêtes noirs.

We bin-Adams are complicated creatures, especially boozers. Guess what. While some were having a good time, others were scorning them saying that what’s going on is firefighting-like exercise if not nguvu ya soda. Utter moonshine! They said that they’ll endorse the whole exercise shall they see criminals behind EPA, Dowans, Symbionsis, Kagoda, UDA, SUKITA, Richmonduli and other mega scams are mercilessly dealt with.  The other one that we call an opponent said that what boozers call justice isn’t but selective one. The other one added that selective justice isn’t justice but another form of injustice and travesty of justice. We need to learn from past experience from some gawks that allowed their countries to be abused by any quack. Tanzania was once like that. Any quack or gawk would make a killing without necessarily facing the wrath of the law while our people were just gawking instead of agitating.

My ignorance informed that those fearless boozers would end up the above mentioned scams. What a goof! I didn’t know that they’d touch on the untouchable scapegraces the powers that be said: must be left to retire and eat our dosh peacefully even if some don’t deserve it due to the disservice they did. I goofed thinking that such boozers would fear that talking about such archangels would guarantee some years behind bars. I cautioned them not to touch the untouchables. As the fate would have it, the opponent told me to my face saying “sir, if you’ve been compromised by receiving sum hush-hush baksheesh forget.” He staggeredly stood up and came to my table and said “don’t think you can intimidate us like the news people whose outfits were banned. Nobody can ban me. Am I registered anywhere in this unforgiving land?”  Before he finished, another one chipped in “go tell Dr. Mwakirazor; he can ban those but not the son of gun.” He sneezed and went on “do you think we’re afraid of naming names?  Do you think we’ve forgotten Annie and Bennie or ANBEN, Forster and Nick or Fosnik, Deep Green Finance, Kiwila, TICKS aka TICTS and other scams those ogres engineered?”

As I was prepared myself to run away after noticing that these fyatus could attract cops to come and descend on us, another one added “guys, what’s going on is laughable. How do you arrest monkeys and spare chimps or kill lizards and spare gators?  Total malarkey!” Before winding up, I chipped in “what unthankful creatures that you are! Can’t you appreciate this move as you wait to see yet more to come as far as cleansing the house is concerned? Who bewitched you?”

He mordantly replied “who’s bewitched between bootlickers, courtiers, major domos and me? FYI: This piece of land’s equally ours. Therefore, whoever wants to make sense must make sure that justice’s done; and be seen done but not selective justice.”

In a nutshell, though boozers have no open or registered media–that is good to target for those prone of burning the media–to disseminate their grievance, they’d, indeed, want to see more being done. They think; what’s going on is more or less of the firefighting but not a surgical move to root out corruption in their land. To convince and entice them, one needs to use a carpet-bombing modus operandi by making sure that the nets are cast far and wide but neither discriminative nor selective as it seems currently. Swahili sage’s it when you want to kill a monkey, never look it in its face. Just unselectively hammer it to death be it big or little; just crucify it.

Source: Citizen Wed., Jan., 10, 2018.

Do Africans really know this je wanajua ukweli huu?

Politics and religion are malleable with strict limits

            The past X-mas saw some clergy complain about intimidation when they touch on political issues.  Some men (not women) of cloth alluded on this in their X-mas orations. They’re flummoxed after feeling boxed in. Unfortunately, the speakers didn’t particularly name their bullies. Three day after the clergy speaking up, authorities came out warning about taking stern measures against whomever use pulpits politically. This shows; there’s a problem. Is this the answer? If it is, is it the right one?

            Ontologically, politics and religion are the sides of the same coin.  In Egypt, pharaohs were gods and rulers as well. In Europe, the Roman Catholic Church used to be both a religious and political power. It shows: the duo’s same foundation and intesectionality.  Though, the former overtook the latter during the enlightenment. Before, the Roman Catholic Church’s powers were incontestably over and above everything. It could condemn whomever it wanted. Thanks to its brutality and misuses of power, some smart guys decided to stop it. Thence, politics took over; and replicated the same up until now. Essentially, Africa needs to embark on its own enlightenment in order to do away with the internalised internal colonisation perpetrated by the duo that attracts devourers and tricksters easily. This is why there are fake leaders in both. Refer to self-appointed fakers we now see everywhere robbing and pauperising our unsuspecting people who still believe in miracles under the ruse of performing miracles.  Is there any a mortal that can perform miracles today?

            Secondly, the duo shares one characteristic. They reap where they didn’t sow. They all collect money in the names of sadaaq, taxes, tithes and zakat; and spend it without involving their taxpayers. This is why we’ve many rich religious leaders hollering at the top of their lungs preaching the gospel of Jesus, a mere pauper, who couldn’t own even a coin let alone building a church. Like politicians who preach better life for all to end up exploiting their constituency, clerics preach the heaven for poor while living in stinking opulence; though not all. They preach poverty and live opulence. The difference is however; political leaders are elected while the clergy who are either appointed or self-appointed.

            Thirdly, while some clergy condemn the internalised internal colonisation of politics in Africa, they forget; their religions are responsible for paving the way for the colonisation and the enslavement of Africa. Ironically, the clergy aren’t democrats like those they accuse. Let’s be a tad bit fair.  Do they seek views from their constituency?

            Fourthly, clergy are like any other citizens. They shan’t expect any preferential treatments whatsoever. If they feel like offended, they know what to do. Go to the court. Just like any citizens, clerics can air their grievances provided doing so is within the confines of the law.  Their advices can be worked on or otherwise depending on to whom or what’s addressed. There’s nothing special here. The government may accommodate the views of its people or not depending on how it views them. Again, instead of taking on the govt, we need to deal with the system that allows such penchants.

            Fifthly, there’s been a tradition of wrongly believing that clerics have an upper hand in public matters. There are some discernible boundaries between politics and religion, especially in a secular country contrary to a theocracy in which clergy are above everything.

            Further, the clergy need to be firm vis-à-vis their position.  When they take on ills, they must clearly indicate it by deeds and words. For example, recently, one self-appointed one told President John Magufuli to repent and take advices. This same man once showered former president Jakaya Kikwete saying he’s humble and too generous. Again, when his church was told to demolish its extension built illegally, he started attacking the same man he showed with praises. This way, it can’t work.

            Tanzania’s a tradition of separating politics from religion in order to avoid offering some quacks a loophole to use their position to benefit both politically and religiously. Again, our government needs to be firm as well. Evidentially, some pro-government clergy are allowed to mix the two provided when they toe the line. One of them is Gertrude Rwakatare who’s an MP for the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).  When Rwakatare was appointed or allowed by the CCM to partake of politics, both sides kept mum; and saw it as a normal and right thing to do though it is wrong!

            In sum, if clergy have anything importantly tetchy to say, they must say it just like any citizen but not like clergy. There must be a border between the two as it is for other citizens or institutions.

Source: Citizen, Wed., Jan., 3, 2018.

Picha ya kufungulia mwaka

Tundu Lissu akiwa anaonekana kuendelea kuimarika. Ni muujiza unaoongea ambao karibu utasimama na kutembea na kupambana. Naomba mwaka  huu uwe wa Lissu. Naomba waliomtendea unyama wazidi kuadhibiwa, kuharibika na kupata stahiki yao.

Uhuru and Raila must start talking

            

President Uhuru Kenyatta (right) and Nasa leader Raila Odinga. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

            Now that the repeat presidential election is over and the winner sworn into office, Kenya needs to go back to normalcy.

            However, this cannot be actualised without two major actors — namely; President Uhuru Kenyatta and his nemesis, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga — opening up for serious business of hemming fences and redressing Kenya from the self-inflicted wounds their dynastic differences and political struggle have inflicted on the country and Kenyan society.

            I don’t aim at being the devil’s advocate. Again, looking at the imbroglio-cum-impasse that Kenya has been in for a long time now, methinks the duo needs to look at the situation broadly and boldly but not narrowly as it was when they were running for office.

            For a long time, the two have been involved in the ‘dialogue of the deaf’ — something that is seemingly exacerbating the problem.

            While they have maintained a sort of denialism resulting from toxic and tribal politics, their cohorts and majordomos kept on making things harder.

ELECTION RE-RUN

            The situation became even worse after the election re-run.

Thus, nobody can tell exactly what will happen regarding the closure of the crevices being on tenterhooks. The two need to come together and engage in dialogue since there is no way the malady can heal itself without their constructive and positive interventions.

            Currently, Odinga is obsessed with being sworn in as the “people’s president” — as if President Kenyatta is not the president of the people.

This struggle does not do Kenya any good. There is time and season for everything. Elections are over. The duo must bury the hatchet and let Kenya move forward as a nation.

It is important for the two to start thinking about Kenya and not their personal power and glory. They must seriously and realistically consider and look at a suffering Kenya.

ECONOMY

            Evidently, the economy is dangerously tanking. Many business people have already registered their discomfort with it. The society is deeply divided along ethnic lines, not to mention political klutziness that the country has found itself in.

For the two to understand and underscore the important roles they have to play, they should step into the shoes of other Kenyans who lost their loved ones, those whose businesses are cascading, those whose lives have been dangerously turned upside down, those whose hopes have been dashed and the like simply because the two are at it tussling with each other for just elusive and temporal power.

            Looking at their flinty stances, without wising up Kenya stands to pointlessly lose a great deal.

For instance, Odinga has commuted his coalition into a movement, meaning that his cause has not been achieved. Talking about the movement, Odinga was quoted as saying “this is basically going to be involved in civil disobedience, civil resistance, not an armed resistance”.

DENIAL

            But for how long, and won’t such measures negatively affect Kenya by exacerbating the already worsening situation?

Nobody can easily tell. However, it is easy to foretell how the situation will be. Considering the deaths and loss of property already witnessed, the situation is likely to be spooky and surreal shall the two stick to their guns.

            It does not make sense for Kenya to be held to ransom simply because two protagonists are living in a state of denial simply because they are not directly affected by the goings-on. They need to be realistic. There cannot be a winner if the country remains divided.

And thanks to such precarious limbo, many opportunistic elements will cash in and take advantage of the logjam. We have already heard of the clamour for secession and other provocative propositions that cannot — and will not — help Kenya.

ECONOMIC SLUMP

            President Kenyatta and Mr Odinga need to constructively engage each other in order to avoid giving Kenya’s enemies ammunition to finish it off; especially at this moment it is facing Al-Shabaab in neighbouring Somalia, not to mention the economic slump.

Should the duo keep on hardening their positions, Kenyans should consider taking lawful steps in order to force them to talk, as it is to the citizens that Kenya actually belongs.

Source: Daily Nation, Tues., today.