The Chant of Savant

Friday 28 November 2008

What's wrong Ikulu to use oil guzzlers?


The other day I read a story complaining that this rich (but begging)
country has trashed expensive Mercedes Benz Nyerere left in the white
house so as to buy more expensive BMs. It said that there are five
brand new BMW that were purchased at the tune of between Tshs.
200,000,000 to 500,000,000. Well done. This is the way money is made.

First of all, what is wrong with having ultra modern oil guzzlers?
Don’t those that do not know by having expensive vehicles we beef up
our reputation internationally? Methinks. After purchasing an expensive
presidential jet that saw the reputation of our nation swell, we’ve
decided to add even BMWs. What a smart idea! Indeed this is but
Mkapa’s legacy.
You fix ikulu’s fire appliances. Within a week the firedresses you down to prove that you made money.

I seems. We’ve taken a leaf from one MP from Arusha in the constituency
renowned for using horses as means of transport that said VXs are the
cars of their status.


Let me take this opportunity to compliment the chief secretary Philemon
Luhanjo who answered, “Ahaa, bwana ee...!”, when he’s asked to comment on the same. Well done Phil. The big official like you should not waste time answering questions by impish journalists.

Phil you offered healthy answers especially for the person of your
stature. Don’t they know you are big cheese whose office is but a
private estate? Don’t they know? You’re only answerable to God.

There are those saying it’s bad for a begging nation like ours to
purchase such machines. I pray to distantly differ. Our supplication
is not caused by need but fashion. We beg so as to make those former
colonialists redress us for the harm they caused under colonialism.

Let detractors say whatever they deem fit. But when it comes to what
they call squandering our dosh, mimi simo. Count me not. What’s wrong
with this hank especially when it comes to using upstairs? These guys
think we’re poor nation? Don’t they see how we pardoned EPA and
Richmond thieves before we turned tables against them? If we’re poor
as they wrongly think, we’d have crucified these filchers on the spot.
Those opposing this money-making project are poor at thinking. Don’t
they know this hank belongs to the biggies not hoi polloi! The biggies
are vested with the duty to see to it that money is spend whilst the
hoi polloi cough whatever money needed for the upkeep of their biggies
and their extended families. Huu ndiyo uzalendo. The duty of a common
Joe is to pay tax and that of the government is to spend it as it deems
fit.

Also another duty of the government is to privatize all public
properties. This helps the country to enter free markets based on
generosity and complicity. We’re making a heck of fortune in this.
Why don’t we spend such money on buying oil guzzlers for our enjoyment that's your peril?


I need to know. Those that made such stupid allegations calling this
noble project stage show, don’t they know that the president of kasi
mpya nguvu mpya and ari mpya need gari mpya? The new regime must come in with new regime of things: new ways of doing corruption; new ways of doing things especially serving and saving people. Don’t you see the way president is saving his people?


And indeed this is development economically. For, we add up to our
imports. Don’t ask about exports. This is not important after all.


I am told. Over Tshs. 500,000,000 was spent on this money-making
project involving the biggies. This purchase has improved our
relationship with Germany. On top of that, I am told. This begging
nation has over 40,000 units of vehicles whereby over 15,000 are VX
thing. To show the world especially donors that we are begging
fashionably, I propose the number be doubled.



I’m sure with such expensive machines we’ll be able to easily make
it to the promised Canaan in one piece. And with such durable machines I
am confident. Worth life for everybody is a reality. When I say
everybody I mean them not us! Maybe when they said everybody they meant everybody of the inner sanctum but not hoi polloi. So those still
languishing in poverty should wait for their turn. And they should also
wait to be told so.

What are the booted out Mercedes Benz doing currently? Don’t tell me
that some high profile wing-nuts are going to ‘sell’ these creatures to
the same cabal of filchers. And indeed this will bring much money to
our coffers.




What I never understood is the fact that we’re ‘fame sick’. Shame on
you that wrongly think we reap where we did not saw. What is wrong with
our enjoying new BMWs?


Take my words. After this stage show being committed, some blacklegs
will come telling us to be economical. For our power-that be has no
money! Tell it to birds. When it comes to stupid things, there is no
money. Some say that youths in the high learning institutions are
suffering for not being given loans for their education. But this
should be blamed on their parents for not sending them abroad to do
their degrees just like our kids.



Our camarillas and hospitals are in good shapes. We’re genius. Stones
are used as seats in classes. While in wards one bed serves three
people at ago. Where else should we invest instead of pomposity and
self amusements?

This is the goodness of our system. When it comes to getting money for
political matters, purchasing oil guzzlers, increasing waheshimiwa’s
pecks and other goodies, money is plenty. When it comes to corruption,
-sorry- uh takrima, money is plenty. Why? It’s just because we’re the
beneficiaries. Where else do those day dreamers want us to go mint
money?

Phil, if you can, please concoct another project of having a new white
house built in Bagamoyo or Msata. As for teachers’ salary increase,
forget. This is not important. Kwanza walimu ni wito.

Source: Thisday Nov. 28, 2008.

Wednesday 26 November 2008

Is Justice Closing for Kagame?



President Paul Kagame
Though Rwandan dictator Paul Kagame has always denied involvement in engineering and committing genocide, the world seems to have awakened from lethargy.

The recent arrest of Kagame’s aide, Major Rose Kabuye, by Germany authorities is a breakthrough-cum-reminder that Kagame’s days are numbered. What a slap in his face! To add insult to the injury, German authorities released Calixte Mbarushimana (secretary general of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR)) based in DRC. This becomes unbearably bad augury for Kigali.

Kabuye, a major cog in the wheel, is the chief of protocol for president Kagame. A former guerrilla fighter,MP and Kigali mayor, Kabuye is revered by Rwandan despotic regime thanks to the role she played in shooting down the presidential jet that killed Juvenal Habyarimana on 6 April 1994. Kabuye is accused of complicity in bringing down the presidential jet that saw two presidents of Burundi and Rwanda killed, sparking off the genocide.

Also needed are other eight marionettes, including her husband, all with strong and close ties to the chief architect and executor of the commission of genocide-Kagame. This has oft-forced pixilated Kagame to issue his hogwash as he flails around to exonerate himself to no avail.
The world is now tired of his ballyhoos. It has decided to act decisively towards unraveling the mystery on who actually engineered and perpetrated the Rwanda genocide. The fire is pointing to Kagame and his regime.

As per her lawyers, Lef Forster, Kabuye who was held in Preungsheim Women's Prison (where Kagame recently visited her) was extradited to France on November 19 ready to face French judge Jean Luis Bruguire who looked into the matter in 2006 so as to issue arrest warrants of nine Rwandese senior officers. Despite this stride by French authorities, there was a price to pay. After French judge investigated genocidal regime of Rwanda, Kigali’s quid pro quo was to allege that the French government supported former Rwandan government that Kagame falsely accuses of having committed genocide.

Recently Germany faced the same wrath and animus. Christian Clages, its ambassodor, was ordered to leave Kigali as his Rwandan counterpart was recalled back home. What is not clear is how long poor Rwanda that needs help from rich countries will devour relations with whoever tells it the right thing. How long will Kigali go on with such inssanismadogmata? Is this the end of Kagame? Arrogance has a tendency of creating seeds of self destruction.

Kagame has another bone to chew. Spanish authorities also need Rwandan top officials before the court for the same count! France, Germany and Spain are EU’s members. By breaking ties with them, Kagame is slowly breaking away from the whole European Union. Does he get this?

To hoodwink the international community, Kagame organized demonstrations all over Rwanda. What brought this ploy to cropper is the fact that the world knows: demonstrators are forced to participate by government agents. Desperate Kagame has become more autocratic than even Idi Amin. But Germany is still unshaken. A state prosecutor, Hildegard Becker-Toussaint, emphasized that the charges against Kabuye were very serious. There is no way Germany could subscribe to cheap lies by Rwanda and ignore a writ from its European counterpart.

Kagame, for over a decade, eluded the international community. Recently, after the indictment of Sudanese dictator, he ordered the parliament to amend the constitution to entrench immunity for him. He's currently blaming Africa Union for not doing a show for him, little knowing it is tired of his lies!

The arrest of Kabuye comes at a very sensitive time. Rwanda is currently under the limelight thanks to her role in the DRC crisis. Much of the world understands that Laurent Nkundabatware, Rwandese protégé in DRC, is used by Rwanda and Uganda to steal from Democratic Republic of Congo.

By arresting Kabuye, a top confidant and aide to Kagame, it means, soon things will change for Kagame. What used to be regarded as success in Rwanda may take another turn after knowing what is behind the curtains. Even in Uganda it used to be like that. But currently Museveni is no longer attracting many western countries as before.

Though Kagame disguises himself as a liberator for Rwanda in many ways, the international community knows that he is the architect of the genocide that propelled him to power. Kagame succeeded to hoodwink the world when he appointed his stooge Hutu Pasteur Bizimungu to become President and himself Vice President and Minister for Defence. On top of this, Kagame blamed the whole world for not stopping the genocide. Due to guilt, this ploy worked for sometime. But who had the duty to stop genocide between the architect and the world community?

When Kagame toppled and detained Bizimungu, the world started to know what’s behind the curtains. Despite his efforts to conceal the truth, the world still wants to know who shot down the presidential jet that killed Habyarimana and Ntaryamirwa. Even though Kagame has strongly denied, water-tight evidence points at him. Refer to the testimonies by former Kagame allies and comrades-in-crime after the fall out, thanks to power struggles and betrayals.

Kagame’s been using Interahamwe to jump a smoking gun. His wingspan conspiracy theory that the Interahamwe brought down the presidential jet no longer does the show for him. The main answer Kagame has never been able to answer is: what are the Interahamwe fighting now if at all the deceased was their enemy? Why should they fight the guy who hated him ?

Another question is, if about one million Tutsi were killed during the genocide, where did Kagame get the current over a million others from? The world needs to do more homework on what transpired in Rwanda in 1994.

Even though Rwanda has been credited for development, democracy is still amiss. Many journalists have fled the country. Others have been arrested or gagged. Kagame has become infallible just like his pal-cum-creator, Museveni. His is dictatorial rule made of mainly the minority Tutsi. Nobody can oppose Kagame and enjoy his life. Even religious leaders cannot. By using his ally Mufti Habimana Saleh, he’s gagged all of them. Now that the once sleeping lions are waking up, what will be Kagame’s future? Is he headed for where Charles Taylor went?
Source: The African Executive Magazine Nov. 26, 2008.



Tuesday 25 November 2008

Je kukamatwa kwa Mramba na Yona mwanzo au mwisho wa picha?

Kwa mara ya pili tangu rais Jakaya Kikwete aingie madarakani ameupa raha umma wa watanzania.
Mara ya kwanza alifanya hivyo ingawa bila kujua wala kutarajiwa mwezi Februari aliporuhusu rafiki na mshirika wake mkuu, Edward Lowassa kukaangwa na kamati teule ya Bunge iliyoongozwa na Dr. Harison Mwakyembe.

Katika uchunguzi wake, kwa mara ya kwanza, waziri mkuu tena mwenye ushawishi alifukuzwa kazi kwa aibu tena bila kutarajiwa wala kutarajia.

Kitendo cha tarehe 25 Novemba 2008 cha kuwafikisha mahakamani vigogo wa serikali na chama Basil Pesambili Mramba mtu aliyekuwa na ushawishi mkubwa katika utawala wa Benjamin Mkapa na Daniel Yona, kadhalika mwenye ushawishi na kiburi kwenye utawala wa awamu tatu ukiachia mbali kuwa mshirika na mwandani wa Mkapa, wapo wanaosema ni mwanzo tu wa kuwafikisha wote waliokuwa wakijiona wao ni wao na nchi ni mali yao.

Kutokana na kufunguka kwa pazia hili, wapo wanaosema watakaofuatia ni akina Rostam Aziz anyedaiwa kuwa nyuma ya kampuni tatanishi la Kagoda lililoiba mabilioni ya shilingi toka Benki kuu kwenye mfuko wa madeni ya nje (EPA).

Umma wa Watanzania umechoka sana na unachukia rushwa ya kimfumo ambayo imekuwa ikilisumbua taifa lao na kulifanya maskini wakati lina raslimali nyingi barani Afrika.

Ukiangalia uzito na ushirika (connectivity) wa wahusika, kama kweli serikali imeamua kujitofautisha na mafisadi wanaosadikiwa kuitia mfukoni, uwezekano wa Mkapa, Mkewe, watoto wao na washirika wao wengine kunusurika ni mdogo. Je Kikwete ameamua kujitofautisha na genge la ujambazi lililopoteza sifa yake ya kuwa kipenzi cha watu?

Je nini kinamsukuma Kikwete kuchukua hatua kali sawa na zile za marehemu Levy Mwanawasa wa Zambia au Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika wa Malawi? Je ni hofu ya kutotaka kufikishwa mahakamani baada ya kumaliza muda wake kutokana na kuzidi kudhoofu kwa Chama Cha Mapinduzi ambacho kisipobadilika kinaweza kutoa nafasi kwa upinzani kuchukua nchi?
Je ni kutaka kuchaguliwa tena awamu ya pili? Yote yanawezekana.

Je ni kutokana na shinikizo la upinzani ukiungwa mkono na umma au mbinyo wa wafadhili nyuma ya pazia?

Kama Kikwete amefanya hivyo kwa bahati mbaya au makusudi, ajue amefanya kile wazungu huita "To open Pandora's box" yaani kumuita bwana matatizo ambaye daima huitika.

Kwa hatua iliyokwishafikiwa, kama Kikwete atarejesha majeshi nyuma, kuna uwezekano akaishia kuwa muathirika. Na kama ataendeleza uzi ule ule, kuna uwezekano akaibuka kuwa shujaa asiyetarajiwa.

Ikumbukwe. Tangu Kikwete aingie madarakani, alikuwa hajawafanyia lolote watanzania. Si lile aliloahidi au walilotarajiwa. Muda ulikuwa ukimtupa mkono kiasi cha umma kuanza kulalamika moja kwa moja hata kuchukua hatua. Rejea kupigwa mawe msafara wake kule Mbeya hivi karibuni ukiachia mbali magazeti ya kweli kumkosoa moja kwa moja.

Je Kikwete amesikia kilio cha waliomchagua huku akipuuzia laghba za mafisadi waliomzunguka?

Ukiangalia kesi inayowakabilia Mramba na Yona ingawa haturuhusiwi kuijadili kishiria, inahusiana na uwekezaji hasa kwenye sekta ya madini ambao kimsingi umekuwa ndio mkuki unaowachoma watanzania. Wengi hujiuliza inakuwaje Tanzania izidiwe na nchi kama Kenya, Burundi,Rwanda hata DRC wakati ina madini kuliko nchi hizi?

Kikwete alirithi nchi iliyoparaganyikiwa kiuchumi kutokana na kukosekana kwa uadilifu na umakini kwa mtangulizi wake aliyetanguliza maslahi ya kifamilia na urafiki. Je umefika wakati wa Kikwete kutumbua jipu?

Tumkumbushe, waziri wa nishati na maendeleo ya madini, William Ngeleja aliamriwa na waziri mkuu Mizengo Pinda kuuambia umma nini kinaendelea nyuma ya pazia kuhusiana na umilikaji na utwaliwaji wa kinyume cha sheria wa mgodi wa makaa ya Mawe wa Kiwira unaosemekana kutwaliwa na rais mstaafu Mkapa akishirikiana na mkewe, mtoto wake na rafiki na mshirika wake Yona. Ilikuwa ni kwenye kikao cha bunge cha 12 ambacho Ngeleja aliahidi angewataja wamilki na hatima ya mgodi.

Hadi yote haya yanatokea Ngeleja hakuwa ameeleza chochote! Alilidanganya bunge na umma na hakujali. Je kwa wahusika kuanza kupanguliwa na kufikishwa mbele ya haki, Ngeleja atanusa upepo na kujivua uhusika?

Je kukamatwa na kushitakiwa kwa Yona hata kama ni kwa makosa tofauti na utwaliwaji na umilkaji wa mgodi wa Kiwira ambaye aliwahi kutishia kuwa mwenye ubavu aende mahakamani ni mwanzo wa kuelekea hili la Kiwira ambalo nyuma yake kuna Tembo au tuseme The elephant in the seating room?

Maswali ni mengi. CCM imekuwa ikitajwa mara kwa mara kuhusiana na karibu kashfa zote za mabilioni. Juu ya hili CCM imegawanyika kwenye mitandao hatari ya kimaslahi kiasi cha kutishia uhai wake. Je umefika wakati wa Kikwete kuibadili CCM kabla haijambadili?

Kwa vile Kikwete ameamua kufanya mapinduzi ya kifikra kwa vitendo na dhahiri, tumpe CHANGAMOTO.

Umma unataka hata wale walioko nyuma ya Richmond, kampuni kidhabu iliyokuwa ikijiingizia shilingi bilioni moja na ushei kwa siku bila kufanya lolote zaidi ya jinai na kushirikiana na magenge ya mafisadi waliokuwa madarakani, nao walipie dhambi zao.

Je umefika wakati muafaka wa kuondoa udhia kwenye safu za utawala wa Kikwete. Haya shime baba. Kama utabadilika tuko nyuma yako.

Muhimu katika yote, umma ungemtaka bwana Kagoda anayejulikana mbele ya haki sawa na wengine. Kwani nchi hii ni mali ya umma na siyo mafisadi uchwara waliokuwa wakijificha nyuma ya pazia la utukufu wakati ni watukutu.

Kikwete ana pa kuanzia. Aige kwa Bingu wa Mutharika jirani yetu Malawi. Mutharika alipoingizwa madarakani na Bakili Muluzi rais wa zamani aliyetaka na kulenga kumtumia kwa kutumia utukufu wa chama, alikiasi chama na umma wa wamalawi ulimuelewa na kumuunga mkono. Tangu afanye mapinduzi haya adhimu ya kifikira amezidi kuwa imara na salama tofauti na wanaotisha kuwa ukiachia chama kibovu nawe utazama nacho. Je ni kipi bora? Kung'ang'ania mtumbwi uliotoboka ufe nao au kujaribu kushikilia ubao ili ukoke? Akili timamu inasema. Bora ni kujaribu ubao badala ya mtumbwi uliokwishaonyesha wazi kutoboka.

Wakati umefika wa kuuonyesha na kuuhakikishia umma kuwa ndiyo wenye nchi na siyo genge dogo la mafisadi.

Tuhitimishe. Tunamshauri Kikwete ashikilie uzi ule ule. Mwanzo wa ngoma ni lele. Tumkumbushe. Kama alivyosema waziri mkuu Pinda kuwa hatima ya mkurugenzi wa Tume ya Kupambana na Kuzuia Rushwa (TAKUKURU) Edward Hosea na mwanasheria mkuu, Johnson Mwanyika itajulikana karibuni, basi na ijulikane ili tusonge mbele.

Kikwete ana bahati na ana kila sababu ya kutojipiga mtama. Wanaomtisha kuwa nchi itayumba watayumba wao. Kwani unaweza kuiangusha serikali lakini siyo umma.Kikwete ana pa kuanzia na nchi haijayumba zaidi ya kuungana na kushikamana nyuma yake kupambana na ugaidi wa kiuchumi na kisiasa.

Yote yanawezekana. Muhimu, Kikwete ameanza kusafisha nyumba yake ambayo kusema ukweli ilikuwa chafu, basi aumbe umma uliomchagua kwa kishindo usimame naye kwa vile sasa unaelewa lugha anayoongea.
Naamini tutashinda na wakati wa kushinda ni huu.
Je huu ni mwanzo wa vita dhidi ya ufisadi mkongwe Tanzania au mwisho wa mwanzo wa business as usual? Haya shime Jakaya tuko nyuma yako usituangushe na hatutakuangusha. Asiyevuta nasi si mwenzetu. Na pema ujapo pema ukipa si pema tena. Mafisadi wako kufa na mtu kutetea ufisadi wao. Je umma uko kufa na mtu kutetea nini zaidi ya taifa lao? Kumeishaanza kujikotokeza mawazo kuwa hiki kilichotokea kinalenga kuepusha mshawasha wa Kagoda na EPA kwa ujumla. Ni vizuri serikali isitoe mashiko kwa dhana hii. Hii maana yake ni kuhakikisha wote waliotumia madaraka yao vibaya au kujihusisha na ufisadi wanafikishwa mbele ya mahakama na haki inaonekana ikitendeka.

Chanzo: Freethinking unabii.














Fisidunia alipokataa kurejeshapesa ya EPA.


BAADA ya kuwafunga kamba walevi kutaka wezi wa kahawa na kashata maarufu kama EPA, yaani ‘Elewa Paka Anadokoa’ kwa maana nyingine ‘Elewa Wakubwa ni Wezi’ au EWA, si jamaa na washirika zangu wanataka kunitaja ili mzee mzima niadhirike! Huwezi kuamini. Wanataka kufichua kilicho nyuma ya pazia baada ya kuona nimewageuzia kibao na kukoswa msimamo! Hawa watu hawajui ukubwa.

Niliwafunga kamba wana Kijiwe kwa kutoa msamaha ambao baadaye waliukataa. Nilitaka vibaka wa kashata na kahawa warudishe mambo yaishe nisijue ndiyo yalikuwa yakianza! Kama hii ingepita huenda ingeniokoa. Sasa naona kama mambo yanaelekea kubaya kiasi cha kutaka kuniadhiri mzee mzima.

Kwanza walevi waliuliza wapi nilikuwa nimepata mamlaka ya kusamehe dhambi tena ninayoshiriki vilivyo? Wapo waliosema wazi kuwa mimi ni mnafiki na fisadi kuliko mafisadi waliowahi kuwapo kwa sababu ni mnufaika mkuu! Kweli walevi wana mambo tena mambo mambo! Hivi bila kukiibia kijiwe kashata na kahawa, walevi ningewahonga nini ili wanichague? Walitaka niwahonge mke wangu?

Akina Mgosi Machungi, Kanji na Makengeza walijitahidi kurejesha. Niliwaita wanakijiwe na kuwatangazia ‘neema na mafanikio’ ya utawala wangu wasijue nilikuwa namkaanga samaki kwa mafuta yake mwenyewe!. Nilidhani huu ungekuwa mwisho wa onyesho hili la umahiri wa sanaa. Kumbe hola bwana! Ndiyo mambo yameanza!

Baada ya wana kijiwe kuhanikiza kuwa sina mamlaka ya kumsamehe mwizi, niliamua kujipiga mtama na kuruhusu akina Machungi na Kanji wafikishwe kwa pilato. Nilipata ithibati na kutaka wote waliokwapua wakamatwe nisijue nilikuwa najichongea! Kumbe wengine walikuwa wananilia ‘timing’ bwana.

Punde si punde nilipata ujumbe wa simu toka kwa Fisidunia Malengelesi. Inaonekana alikuwa amechukia sana. Maana simu ilivyokuwa ikitweta na kuwaka kwa hasira sina jinsi ya kueleza.

Jamaa halina akili nzuri. Maana lilisema halirudishi kashata wala kahawa na kama nitaendelea kuwasumbua wezi waheshimiwa wenzangu, atatoa ushahidi unaoonyesha kuwa nilinufaika na ujambazi huu wa mchana. Fisidunia huyu anasema anao ushahidi unaonihusisha mimi, familia yangu, wenzangu na chama changu cha Mafisidunia na masaniidunia (CCMM).

Njemba imenishika pabaya. Mbwa mwitu na wezi wenzangu wanasema wazi kuwa niliwatumia kuibia kijiwe ili kupata kashata na kahawa ya kuwahonga wana kijiwe wanichague kuwa mkuu wao. Na ni kweli.

Kwanza, ngoja nikusomee ujumbe wenyewe. “Mpayukaji usinitishe hata kidogo. Mimi siyo kama akina Kanji ambao unaweza kuwatia jamba jamba. Mimi ni mwizi na mjanja kama wewe tena aliyekubuhu. Usidanganywe na ukuu unaopewa na hao wasiokujua ulivyo. Wadanganye na kuwatisha hao hao wasiojua uoza wako.

Ukiendelea tutaumizana halafu mwisho wa yote utayejilaumu ni wewe na mkeo. Uliponijia na dili lako nilikuwa na langu. Tuliiba nikijua siku hizi zitakuja na nitajitetea kama ambavyo nimepanga kufanya.

Wewe ni mwanasiasa nami naijua sheria. Hapa ieleweke ni fisi wawili waliokuwa wakiwinda pamoja kila mmoja na lake. Ulitaka kunitumia kupata ukuu nami nilikutumia kupata ukwasi. Hivyo kaka kaa ukijua, ukiendelea kunifuata fuata nitakuchafua wewe na mkeo.”

Baada ya kupata ujumbe huu wa maudhi, nilinywea na kuhisi kijasho chembamba kikinitoka wallahi. Maudhi ya kiumbe huyu yalifanya niikumbuke busara ya wahenga isemayo ongea na watu uvae viatu na ongea na kuku utembee peku peku.

Tazama hawa wezi nilioshirikiana nao ni wachovu wasiojua wala kuweza kuniokoa bali kujiokoa wenyewe hata kwa kuniangamiza na maulaji yangu!

Hata pira la Manchester nililokuwa nikiangalia badala ya kuwa ‘spectacular’ liligeuka ‘spooktacular!’

Sikudhani kuwa hata washirika wangu wa zamani kama yule Razi kumwaga razi wakisema niwasulubu washirika zangu. Razi anasema eti nimeshughulikia walioloa kwa damu huku mchinjaji mkuu nikimwokoa! Jamaa yangu wa Kimbushi inabidi atie akili hapa.

Kama kuchinja ng’ombe alichinja Ballalii. Je akina Razi wanataka niwatose akina Mrambaramba, Kigodaabu, Mengjii, Ewassa bingwa wa Richmonduli, Ngasongua na vibaka wengine? Kumbuka haya siyo majina yao bali ya utani kijiweni kutokana na umahiri wao wa kuhomoa.

Baada ya sanaa zangu kuanza kushtukiwa, lazima nitafute nyingine. Nitawambia walevi kuwa haraka haraka haina baraka. Wanipe muda waone hata kama kuona kwenyewe ni kuona mazingaombwe, sanaa na kusikia ngonjera.

Kwanza kuna watu wanataka kunichanganya. Mmojawapo ni Eddie Washea ambaye huwa tunamtania Dokto. Jamaa linapayuka payuka hovyo kiasi cha kujichanganya. Juzi lilisema eti hatuwezi kuwasulubu wezi wote maana kijiwe kitayumba.

Jana linasema eti kila kigogo kitakatwa lisijue nalo ni gogo tena kubwa tu! Hili jamaa sijui lina nini kichwani mwake! Hata huu udokta tunaomtania itabidi tuufute badala yake tumuite Ze. Eddie Washea. Ze inasimama badala ya zezeta.

Kuna mijitu haina maana kabisa, haijui kuwa ushikwapo shikamana! Badala ya kurejesha uchache na kukubali iozee lupango eti inataka nami nimwage ulaji wangu. Mijitu hii ilikuwa inajiona ni miheshimiwa kwa vile ina ukubwa katika kijiwe. Lakini imesahau! Uhalifu haulipi na hauna ukuu hasa ukuu wenyewe unapotumika kukwapua badala ya kulinda mali za kijiwe. Ingawa mimi ni hovyo sasa nimeonekana hovyo kabisa kutokana na mijitu kuanza kunichenjia.

Kwanza ngoja niongee taratibu wanoko wasinisikie. Sijui kipindi kile cha kusaka njuluku tuliingiwa na nini! Maana tulighushi kama mataahira kiasi cha kufanya kazi ya kutufichua kuwa rahisi kama ilivyotokea.

Inaonekana rafiki yangu Tunituni aliyeasisi na kubariki mpango huu alipatwa na ugonjwa wa uvivu wa kufikiri. Naye ananipa kazi kweli kweli kumlinda, maana kama hii mijizi inayonitishia maisha itamwaga mtama kwenye kuku naye hatanusurika ingawa nimejitahidi kumkingia kifua yeye mkewe na marafiki zake.

Ama kweli hakuna kazi kama kumtafuta shetani mimbarini.

Namna hii kufikia 2010 kijiwe hakitakuwa na rushwa! Tia akilini usijenilaumu.

Chanzo: Tanzania Daima Nov. 26, 2008.







Friday 21 November 2008

Tell it to the birds Mr. Waziri



I am writing to one of our ever jabbering plutocrats known as Waziri for
so-and-so Ministry.

This punter has been eating my brain for long. He issues threats and
yap-yaps unnecessarily. If anything, this guy has become another burden
to Mr. President. Whenever he opens his mouth, he ends up in kerfuffle
with either the media or the citizenry. His name is simple. He answers
to the name Joji Mkunjika or the one that can be folded. What I've
never known is why his boss does not want to fold the punk or even let him
pack and hit the road!

What pains even more is the fact that the guy is a danger to environment.
The vapours he emits pollutes our nation so to speak. This guy has one weakness. Despite his bigness he’s never lent how to
think before speaking. He chews like a gator! The fella is like a motorcycle that
yaps without thinking.

I read a story some days ago when the same punk was saying that the
government has to descend on teachers threatening to lay down the chalk
simply because the government is an employer!

Where did this guy go for his education? Doesn’t he know! Employing a
person does not mean you own the same. Employment is about exchanging
services. The employee allows the employer to enjoy his sweat and brain
just like the employer allows the employee to enjoy his purse. That’s
that. Tuache ushamba.

The other day the same punter was quoted saying that given that
400,000,000 madafu money offered by a certain suspicious donor to the
committee preparing youths’ conference was donated in the broad day
light, it is not made by means of corruption!

What's wrong with this guy? Go to lupango and ask the EPA freebooters
if they stole the dosh from BoT. Mind you. This BoT is not the Bank of
Tanzania. Instead this is Bunch of Thieves.

These thieves will jump a hundred meters. They’ll even swear their
money is legal and modesty. Go ask one powerful outfit if its campaigns
did sink some tainted money from BoT. It'll jump millions of miles
despite the fact that we all know it colluded with the highwaymen and
women to ruin this hank.

Yet again, the same gawks expect people dying in penury to eat their
lies! How can we subscribe to your nonsense saying there is no dosh
whilst some criminals get away with zillions? What pain even worse is
the fact that such nonsense can be said to educated people like us who
make others acquire education! Shame on you!


Going back to the man, this guy has taught me one thing. There is
mental dysentery out there. If not, why then a physically-fit man like he
would puke insults whenever he opens his mandibles?


This guy that used to be a soldier thanks to Mwalimu’s wisdom of
sending school dropouts to the academy, still day dream that our hank
is under military regime. Man, we’re a true democracy. Even your boss
recently concurred that people have all room to speak. Who are you to
foil this God-given right? Acha ubabe. This is 21st century where brain
matters more than muscles.

This punter and others with the same wicked mindsets need to know. This
hank is for us all equally regardless you’re as shark or a dagaa.

This message is special for Phil Luhanjowe and my man in case in point.Also are two
ladies answering to the title of Mama Waziri wa Uongo and what not. They are saying
the media should not discuss corruption! Mwe! Do you want us to discuss how you
abuse you pudenda eh?

Before I call it a day, let me muse on another brigand. I heard it
myself. Some uncouth biggies were saying that we can not prosecute the
fisadis simply because our hank can paralyze. This is garbage. How can
we fear a few criminals and Mafioso? Are we becoming a useless
sovereign so as to be run by delinquents? Nope and thank you sir, tell
it to the birds.


One sipper told me that this is nothing but preemption. You know what.
The conspirators are afraid, especially the big and honorables. Beans
can be spilled. And if this happens, many putas, we wrongly think are
clean, will end up in shames. So be it soon God.

Now that the exercise has started, if at all it's serious and genuine,
what are other sharks waiting for? My prayers is to see Mr.Eddie Richmonduli and
co appearing before the judge cuffed and shuffled. Yes. We need to show
this species of creatures how we mean business. They need to know how
deep our animus is when it comes to corruption. Yeah. We need to start
our holy journey to Canaan. For we surely know how filchers curtail it. But all in all this time we’ll know mbivu and mbichi
altogether.

To cut the story short, please Mr. Biggie of Biggies, fire such let
downs in the rank and file. You have a lot of them in your corridors.
We know you'd like to be taken seriously and regarded as a sincere person
save that those sons and daughters of bitch surrounding you are tarnishing
your image. Don’t let get away with it.

Regarding your move on thieves, keep it up. Importantly add more
fagots. We need to see more names and actions. Time for sweet words and
appeasement is over.
Turning to the punters, your days are numbered. This hank is for us all
equally. So stop issuing threats. This is a democratic hank. Otherwise
when it comes to your threats and lies, tell it to the birds.
Source:Thisday November 2008.

Wednesday 19 November 2008

DRC Crisis:Is Tanzania Next?



Obasanjo while Meeting Nkunda
Charles Taylor (Liberia), Idi Amin (Uganda), Joseph Mobutu (Zaire) among others had something in common. Nobody thought they’d cascade easily as it happened.When Amin butchered Ugandans and Mobutu robbed the then Zaire, some African countries plotted to put a stop on their phantasmagoria and blood-thirst. They were shamefully brought down. What’s left is history.

Currently, Laurent Nkunda is a thorn-cum-headache for regional stability. This Rwandese protégé has caused mayhem in the region. His spineless army is killing people every day in DRC. This is pure aggression. Like other dictators, he uses the word 'liberation' abusively! Nkunda, the butcher, calls himself a liberator.Looking at the sacrilegious acts he is committing in DRC in conjunction with Rwanda and Uganda, one wonders why neighbours such as Tanzania and other players in the region are indifferent. Why did the recent conference convened in Nairobi to arrest the situation subscribe to lies by Kagame that the situation is dogged by the non-existent interahamwe? We’re already tired of Somalia and Zimbabwe.

The UN units in DRC have totally failed due to double standard and corruption. What’s never crossed my mind is the logic behind the international Community’s ability to ouster Charles Taylor, a seating president, but failure to do the same to Nkunda-a mere highwayman! How can the international community under ICC interdict and arraign Taylor but fail to do the same to this renegade butcher? Is it because some powers are benefiting from the war in DRC because they are on the receiving ends of the loot from there? The West, Rwanda and Uganda must be held responsible for all miseries DRC is suffering.On December 4th, 2004 DRC reported the invasion by Rwanda and Uganda among others. New York based Human Rights Watch has oft-condemned this macabre move. American darlings (Kagame and Museveni) have never been quizzed despite water tight evidence implicating them! Indictment warrants have been issued for Sudanese dictator, Omar Bashir. Another butcher, Thomas Lubanga, has already been apprehended. Why are Kagame and Museveni spared? Simple. The US and other beneficiaries are pulling strings behind the curtains. Is this the cause for regional powers to pay a blind eye? Hypocrisy, conspiracy and duplicity. Why was it possible to ouster 'liberators' Amin and Mobutu but difficult to deal with Nkunda with his cronies?

According to BBC, Nkunda fought in the wars that saw the legitimate government in Rwanda brought down. He’s served in Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) that was formed in Uganda to topple the late Juvenal Habyarimana, Rwandan former president. Like Museveni and Kagame, Nkunda was promised support to do what Kagame, supported by Museveni, did in Rwanda.After fulfilling his duty in Rwanda, he formed a surrogate terrorist group known as Rally Congolese for Democracy (RCD).

Apart from the thirst for power, Rwanda and Uganda are using the region's volatile situation to plunder in the name of ‘liberation.’Who’s next after DRC? Tanzania should be prepared for the next invasion.

Under Mobutu, DRC became bankrupt of almost everything meaningful except her tumultuous music. This loophole forced the late Laurent Kabila seek a supporting hand from two thuggish countries namely Rwanda and Uganda. He however did not reckon that later, he would pay dearly. He imported cancer that would eat his country to the bone.

Nkunda and his spineless masters have been hiding behind the facade of protecting the banyamulenge. In 2005, he was indicted by the ICC for crimes against humanity he committed in 2002 in Kisangani. But MONUC refused to apprehend him saying he was no threat! Later on, it came to light that some of the soldiers from MONUC were exchanging weapons with minerals! Sri Lankan units were water-tightly implicated. UN since then has maintained silence.

Nkunda has become a billionaire. He owns over 800 heads of cattle and is accused of dealing in stolen minerals such as coltan, cassiterite, tin, pyrochlore and niobium. Rwanda is said to be the chief beneficiary of these minerals that it exports whilst it has no minerals!

Many analysts concur that if power-hungry Nkunda would be given any post in Kabila’s GNU, he'd take it. But his boss in Kigali does not subscribe to this. In essence, Nkunda helps Kagame to prolong his draconic rule in Rwanda under the pretext of the threats by Interahamwe.

Rich countries fear that arresting Nkunda would make their markets suffer. Refer to what was reported on 22 February 2002 the day Jonas Malheiro Savimbi was felled. The Diamond market in New York plunged to negative territories at the tune of 12%. Savimbi was fully supported and backed by the CIA. Is Nkunda playing the same game knowing who is behind his megalomania?

Tanzania is renowned for brokering peace. Tanzania cloned Museveni aiming at punishing Idd Amin for overthrowing Milton Obote. Later, Museveni became rogue. If it was able to neutralize Mohamed Bacar in the Comoros, why shouldn’t it extend its role in DRC? If Ethiopia could intervene in Somalia, why not Tanzania in DRC to arrest or destroy Nkunda whose army is killing innocent people and rob their country? Tanzania has turned into a conduit which evil countries use to rob DRC.

Tanzania must prevail on Kenya not to accommodate landlocked Rwanda and Uganda in the East Africa Union. Currently Rwanda is urging the AU to intervene after its chief of protocol, Rose Kabuye, was apprehended in Germany for her role in the death of former presidents of Burundi and Rwanda in 1994. The AU should never consent to such.

In a nutshell, the international community must deal with Nkunda and his associates just the same way it can deal with any human rights abuser. Kenya, Tanzania and SADC members are, in the main, duty bound to see to it that peace and tranquility in DRC prevail.

Source: The African Executive Magazine November 19, 2008.

Huu nao ni ufisadi tena unaonuka

JUZI nilikuwa najikumbusha zama za Musa tukiwa Kanani. Nilikumbuka nikiwa Ubayani Sekondari nimetinga kwenye kaptula yangu na shati jeupe bila kusahau viatu vyeusi maarufu kama 99. Usishangae 99 ukadhani ya polisi. Viliitwa ‘nine nine’ kwa sababu viliuzwa shilingi 99.

Wakati huu fedha yetu ilikuwa fedha si fedheha ya EPA wala madafu, ukipewa mia mbili za Masai unakata muhula mzima. Ila ikumbukwe kuwa wakati ule kusoma ilikuwa dili, ‘No’ mambo ya kikubwa kwa watoto wadogo, bwimbwi, video za ngono na action uchwara, chips wala tuition za wizi.

Wakati ule hata ‘glosari na guest houses’ za karibu na mashule hakuna. Hapakuwa na kughushi vyeti wala kuiba mitihani, hapakuwa na mafisadi tunaowaona wakibembelezana kurejesha mshiko wa wizi. Nchi ilikuwa nchi na rais alikuwa rais kweli. Nchi ilikuwa ikiongozwa na viongozi siyo kutawaliwa kama punda, mbuzi kuku na kondoo na wabangaizaji.

Zama zile ukichaguliwa kuingia ‘fomu wani’ ni dili, siyo kama leo pasipo na ujiko. Usomi ulikuwa ni kama utume lazima msomi uonyeshe sifa njema.

Hatukuwa na wauza unga, hatukuwa na mambo ya kudaiana karo kama sasa. Mzee Musa alihakikisha tunazaliwa na kusoma bure ili hapo baadaye tulijenge taifa.

Ukiingia fomu faivu ndiyo usiseme. Nakumbuka zama zile unapewe ‘traveling warrant’ yako tayari kwenda zako Milambo, Mkwawa au Mazengo. Wakati ule hizi shule zilikuwa shule siyo mchezo.

Ukimaliza high yako ukapasua unatua zako Mlimani kabla haijageuka Manzese University. Zama zile Mlimani ulikuwa mlima kweli wa mawazo, hapakuwa na dada wa vimini kama sasa wala kaka wa mapanki na vihereni kama leo. Pale ilikuwa ni sehemu ya kuchemka si mchezo.

Mlimani nako huwezi kuamini, ilikuwa ni mzee Musa aliyelipa kila kitu na kukupa hata za kupata kitambi kidogo ili ukirejea Uswekeni wajue wewe ni msomi wa mbolea na haja kweli kweli.

Nikiwakumbuka wenzangu tuliokuwa nao maeneo ya Kibaha kama jamaa yangu mmoja tukisoma bure na kula bure wanavyowageuzia kibao vijana wetu, napata hata kichefuchefu cha akili kusema ukweli. Dk. Son of Kyembe nadhani anakumbuka tulivyotesa Milambo Na baadaye Mlimani kabla hajaenda Ujerumani nami Urusi.

Zama zile ukiachia digrii ya kwanza ujue una lako. Ama kichwa hakichemki au unawahi kibarua ili uwasaidie wazee, maana fedha ya kusomea ilikuwa nje nje na mzee Musa alisisitiza tusome ili tujenge nchi yetu tusije tukaibomoa kwa kutumia elimu ile ile aliyotupa bure kutokana na wazazi wetu kuwa Apeche alolo!

Wakati ule hapakuwa na ajira wala shahada za chupi (Godfather). Hapakuwa na wabunge vitaahira na vihiyo kama sasa. Nakumbuka siku zile mzee Musa alikuwa na fedha kidogo lakini aliisimamia kuhakikisha wana kaya wake wanapata kila wanachopaswa. Mzee Edwin Mtei analijua hili, nani angeingia banki kuu kujiepea kama sasa?

Angefanya hivyo, hiyo fedha angeitumia wapi? Hapakuwa na takrima wala mtu kulala maskini akaamuka tajiri asibanwe mbavu kueleza alivyo na alikopata hiyo fedha. Wakati ule hata magabacholi walikuwa Apeche alolo. Ikulu ilikuwa patakatifu pa patakatifu siyo pachafu pa pachafu kama ilivyokuja kuwa baada ya mzee kuishia.

Wakati ule, mzee Musa alikuwa mchumi sina mfano. Aliweza kutusomesha pamoja na wageni kama Yoweri Museveni na John Garang de Mabior na wengine wengi ili waende kuzikomboa nchi zao ingawa baadhi yao wamegeuka manung’ayembe na madikteta.

Si kwamba tulikuwa mazuzu, hasha, tulikuwa tukimpinga kwa hoja. Spika Six analijua vizuri sekeseke tulilopewa na Mzee Musa tulipojichanganya kwa kuigiza wenzetu wa nchi za kibepari kwa kutaka makuu yasiyo na maana. Nani angegoma hovyo hovyo ilhali haki ilikuwa ikionekana ikitendeka? Hatukuwa na wabunge wanaosinzia bungeni wala kughushi vyeti.

Zama zile tulijenga Ujamaa na Kujitegemea na siyo Uhujumaa na Utegemezi kwa wafadhili na wawekezaji uchwara na wezi.

Kumbuka. Kipindi kile dhahabu yetu ilikuwa haijaguswa wala Tanzanite ilikuwa haijagunduliwa.

Wazee wetu walichapa kazi hasa wakulima hadi wakachangishana tukasoma na kuzaliwa kwa neema na amani.

Ingawa hii ni historia, kuna ukweli kuwa huwezi kuwambia vijana wetu kuwa huna fedha tena ya kuwakopesha siyo kuwasomesha ilhali ukitoa ofa na misamaha kwa wezi wa kigabacholi na wachukuaji unaowaita wawekezaji.

Haiingii akilini. Ima uwe mwehu au wale unaowadanganya ilhali wakikuona ukiwabembeleza wezi wa EPA warejeshe chumo la wizi. Haiwezekani na haitawezekana hata kwa mtutu wa bunduki.

Zama zile tulifundishwa ukombozi, usawa na uadilifu siyo uwekezaji, unywanywa na ulamba viatu. Tulikuwa tumekomboka kweli kweli. Tulipomaliza tulikwenda jeshi la kujenga taifa na siyo kama sasa kujiunga na makundi ya kulibomoa.

Nakumbuka wakati ule tukila mikate safi na mayai ya kienyeji na siyo mazagazaga ya kisasa tena kwa fedha ya kukopa. Meza na viti vilijaa kila darasa siyo kukalia mawe na kusimama wakati wa masomo na lecture.

Vitabu vya kiada na ziada vilikuwapo na tulivisoma tena kwa mashindano. Tuliotea kuwa viongozi na siyo wazungu wa unga na wanasiasa nyemelezi. Tulilala kwa kujinafasi sana na siyo kubanana kama maharagwe kwenye magunia kwa sasa.

Tukirejea kwa Mzee Musa, hapakuwa na mabepari na matajiri uchwara watokanao na ujambazi wa kuuibia umma. Tulikuwa Kanani kabla ya kurejeshwa Misri na Gendaeka wachache waliotukamata mateka hadi leo baada ya mzee kuondoka.

Uongozi ulikuwa utumishi wa umma na siyo kuutumia umma kuchuma na kuvuna usipopanda kama ilivyokuja kuwa baadaye. Viongozi walifanana na waongozwa na watawaliwa wakijivunia kufanana na waliowaongoza. Viongozi walionyesha njia na siyo kuzungumzia juu yake.

Miiko ya uongozi ilitawala na siyo uongo na ubabaishaji. Kila kiongozi alitaja mali zake mkewe na familia yake tena bila kulazimishwa wala kuzungusha zungusha. Tuliishi kama familia na jamii ya watu na siyo mrundikano wa majambazi na vinyama vya mwitu vilivyotayari kuwauza hata wazazi wao.

Wanangu isomeni historia hii tukufu ili msinyimwe na kudhulumiwa haki zenu. Heri kuishi siku moja kama simba kuliko miaka mia kama kuku au mbwa. Heri kufa umesimama kuliko kuishi umepiga magoti.

Nanyi muwahujumuo watoto, jueni siku zote hazifanani. Jogoo wa leo ni kifaranga wa jana, ila msiwe kama jogoo kuwafundisha vifaranga kunya ndani.

Jamani mmesikia rongo rongo za jamaa wa taasisi ya kupamba na kukuza rushwa? Eti kaya inaogopa kuwafikisha kwa Pilato majambawazi wa HEPA kwa sababu inaweza kuyumba! Ebo hamuogopi umma mnaogopa mafisadi. Hovyo.

Kila la heri na tieni akilini.

Chanzo: Tanzania Daima Novemba 19, 2008.

Thursday 13 November 2008

Chagosians’ plight: UK and US Must be brought to Account

Recent news that the people of Chagos islands are agitating for their right to return home cannot pass without being echoed. These Indian Ocean islands were invaded and occupied by colonial Britain and US for decades. How could such a despicable act be committed by countries that boast to be the citadels of civilization and human rights? Isn't this double standards, terrorism and hypocrisy?

Worse still, Britain has been agitating for the return of white farms in Zimbabwe whilst it sits on the whole sovereign country! Is it because the Chagosians are black and the farmers in Zimbabwe are white? Isn’t this naked racism to which the world turns a blind eye?

Britain claimed Chagos Islands on 27 April 1786. Nonetheless, the territory was ceded to the United Kingdom after Napoleon’s defeat in 1814. For swift exploitation, on 31 August 1903 Chagos archipelago was administratively separated from Seychelles and attached to Mauritius. Since 1976, the archipelago has been pestiferous with the British Indian Ocean Territory. But it’s also claimed by Mauritius and Seychelles.In 1960 and 1970, the United States and United Kingdom agreed on evicting all Chagosians to give room to a military airbase on Diego Garcia that would make America’s ambitions in the Far East and Middle East easier and possible.

This sacrilegious and heinous act catapulted massive forceful exiling of Chagosians. Since then, Chagosians' plight has been concealed from international community. Against all odds though, they’ve been fighting a legal uphill battle, which, in all circumstances, was foiled by British authorities even when their courts ruled otherwise.

Once again, this year the Chagosians went to the high court to seek leave to return to their country. Three judges led by the Master of the Rolls, Sir Anthony Clarke, refused a stay on the effect of their judgment, allowing the islanders to return immediately. This was a short- lived victory though. The judges condemned as "repugnant" Whitehall’s decision to "exile a whole population" in the 1960s and 1970s. The Government was denied permission to take the case to the House of Lords. It is expected to petition the law lords directly, seeking a final challenge at the highest court in the land.

This is a conspiracy by two respected nations to ruin and rob another nation. It’s illegal as well as immoral. Now, this being the truth, what can US and UK tell the world when it comes to human rights and civilization? We’ve been condemning Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe for taking white farms. Though two wrongs do not make a right, why should the same culprits demonise another thief who in essence committed a lesser offence compared to what they committed?

Even if this barbaric act has been committed by the so-called champions of civilization and human rights, isn't it still evil and barbarous? The presence of the UK and US in international organizations such as UN, Commonwealth, IMF, WB and many others, diminishes the importance of these organizations.

African countries have forged ties and solidarity bar Sudanese dictator Omar al Bashir from facing justice in The Hague. Will they equally stand for poor Chagosians that have become landless and stateless due to UK-US machinations and double standards? Will they stand for Zanzibar, a time bomb that will have devastating effects on mainland Tanzania if not soberly addressed?

It’s time the world of civilized and justice lovers to stand up and fight for poor Chagosians. Human rights activists and peace lovers the world over are invited to stand with/for the people of Chagos to see to it that we boot down this slavery perpetrated by the so called high and mighty of the world.Come on Queen and America! Lead by showing the way instead of backstabbing.

My heart goes down to Hadijatou Mani in Niger. She’s sold to Souleymane Naroua for $ 500 aged 12 and made to work for 10 years. This is what she said after being released: "At the time, I didn't know what to do but since I learned that slavery has been abolished I told myself that I will no longer be a slave." How many slaves does Africa still have in places like Chagos islands, Mali, Sudan, and Mauritania? What an amber alert for us to act!

Source: The African Executive Magazine Nov. 12, 2008.




Ufunuo juu ya Tanzia


Nikiwa nimelala kwenye usingizi mnono mara nilioteshwa ndoto yenye wingi wa ufunuo.

Niliona wingu zito na tufani vya kutisha vikiigubika nchi ya Tanzia toka pande zote mashariki, magharibi, Kusi na Kaskazi. Nchi ilitetemeka huku miti mikubwa ikianguka.

Niliwaona wajoli walio uchi wakilalamika na kulaani sana . Walimlaani mfalme ambaye ufalme wake umejengwa kuu ya vichwa na nafsi zao akiwaibia na kuwakoga asijue nao wamekula yamini kujikomboa.

Jua lilipatwa na kiza kiasi cha kupoteza nuru yake. Ilikuwa ni gharika ya magharika. Kilichoshangaza ni kugundua kuwa wataalamu wa hali ya hewa waliliona hili kwenye vyombo vyao na kuonya. Bahati mbaya, wahusika waliwapuuza.

Wangezingatia na kutekeleza vipi wakati walikuwa kwenye usingizi mzito baada ya kulewa wakila na kunywa huku wajoli wakiangamia kwa njaa, magonjwa na unyafuzi? Ilifikia mahali wajoli wa Tanzia wakaanza kulia na kumkumbuka mzee Musa aliyekufa miaka mingi iliyopita!

Hali ilikuwa ngumu. Wanyama mwitu waliivamia Tanzia na kuiguguna. Wapo mafisi waliokuwa wamefugwa na watawala. Uchafu utokanao na maisha na mioyo ya binadamu tena wachache kati ya wengi vilitamalaki kiasi cha kuinajisi nchi nzima. Haya ni machukizo makuu kwa Mungu. Mapanya na wadudu wachafu waliinajisi nchi.

Kutokana na hali hii, Mungu aliweka nadhiri kuwateketeza wakuu wa Tanzia. Aliapa kuwatia adabu na aibu tena kwa kushutukiza. Mfalme wa Tanzia aliyejitapa kuwa kipenzi na mtetezi wa wajoli ghafla alijikuta akichukiwa kulika hata Firauni na Israili mtoa roho za watu.

Alijikuta akigeukwa na baadhi ya wapambe zake aliokuwa amewaacha wakaichafua nchi. Wajoli walikuwa wamewastukia wapambe na walamba viatu wa mfalme. Mfalme angejua vipi wakati alikuwa amelewa raha, sifa na kila aina ya ulafu?

Mfalme huyu aitwaye Jalala la Kaya Kichefuchefu alijikuta mtupu kama alivyozaliwa. Akiwa katika matembezi kwenye jimbo la Mbuya alijikuta akimwagiwa mvua ya mawe na wajoli walioikata na kuikataa mikatale.

Hakuamini macho yake kwa kile alichokiona! Akiwa ameghadhibika na kufura kwa hasira, aliwatuma watwana na mbwa wake kuwapatiliza wajoli waliomuonyesha hisia na mapenzi yao yaliyotibuka na kutumbukia nyongo baada ya kumpopoa na kumvulia nguo.

Bahari iitwayo Salama ilichafuka na kuonyesha hasira zake za ajabu. Ngurumo zilisikika kila upande wa nchi huku radi zikipiga kwa kasi ya ajabu.

Wajoli walimtaka mfalme awaonyeshe njia ya nusura asiweze. Walimzomea na kutishia kumtoa roho.

Mfalme akiwa hana hili wala lile, mara alisikia sauti za mabubu wakihanikiza wanataka haki. Visa vya kondoo kupigana na fisi viliripotiwa nchi nzima asijue vilikuwa somo la alama za nyakati kwake! Kama chumvi iliyovia, ufalme ulianza kumomonyoka kama siagi iliyowekwa juani.

Akiwa kwenye hakelu lake, Mfalme Kichefuchefu aliitwa na wasaidizi wake kushuhudia ajabu la mawe yaliyokuwa kwenye viwanja vya kasri yake kuanza kusema na kutishia kumshambulia!

Mara liliibuka Joka kubwa lenye pete na mapambo likihaha huku likizungukwa na moto mkali. Haraka haraka mfalme aliwaita wapiga ramli na watabiri wamwambie maana ya maajabu haya yote.

Mmojawapo aitwaye Kubunia alimwambia: yote haya yalimaanisha na kutabiri kuanguka kwa utawala wa Tanzia. Joka lilikuwa alama ya ufalme na moto uliwakilisha uasi ambao ungefuatia.

Mfalme alichukia sana na kumuona Kubunia mwasi na mwenye hila ya kutaka kumuangusha. Alimfunga kifungo cha maisha.

Baada ya hapo alimwita mpiga ramli mwingine aitwaye Tumbo Nile. Huyu kwa kujua mfalme asivyopenda kuambiwa ukweli, alimdanganya kuwa haya yalikuwa ni mapito! Na joka liliwakilisha wapinzani wa mfalme huku moto ukiwakilisha kushindwa kwa uasi.

Kutokana na ujuha wa mfalme na kuambiwa uongo akauamini, aliangusha sherehe kubwa kuadhimisha kunusurika kwake asijue mambo ndiyo yalikuwa yameanza!

Wapambe na wanywanywa waliowaugeuka umma waliitwa na kushereheka wasijue walikuwa wakishehekea mauti yao !

Akiwa kwenye karamu na wateule-najisi wake, mara mfalme alishuhudia mvua kubwa yenye radi ikianza kunyesha. Hapakuwa na dalili za mvua hata hivyo. Ndani ya mvua hiyo kulikuwa na wajoli waliobeba kila aina ya silaha tayari kuuangusha utawala wa mfalme aliozoea kuwahadaa kuwa ni wao.

Baada ya mfalme kuona wimbi la wajoli wenye hasira asijue nini kilikuwa kimewaingia hadi wakamuasi aliamrisha mkuu wa majeshi yake alete jeshi kuwadhibiti wajoli waasi. Maskini mfalme hakujua kuwa hata jeshi lake lilikuwa limemuasi baada ya kuchoshwa na maisha magumu na kudanganywa!

Majeshi yalikuwa yamepigika sawa na wajoli. Wakati mfalme na wapambe zake wakitumbua, hawakujua umuhimu wa jeshi. Wanajeshi walisahaulika kiasi cha kuanza kujiingiza kwenye ujambazi magendo na ufisadi. Walipogundulika walipatilizwa vikali.

Hivyo mgomo na kisasi vilikuwa vikiendelea chini kwa chini. Jeshi lilichoshwa na ufisadi na isirafu vya mfalme na wapambe zake ilhali wanajeshi wa chini wakikabiliwa na mazonge makubwa kuliko hata ya wajoli.

Mfalme aliyejulikana kwa kucheka cheka kwake alianza kuhofu. Maana wajoli aliowaona kuwa walevi walikuwa wamemstukia na kuamka tena kwa haraka kasi mpya nguvu mpya na ari mpya. Walijua kuwa kuwachekea chekea kwake hakukumaanisha mapenzi bali kuwaona mabwege.

Mfalme alitia nia kuwapatiliza wote wanaotishia ufalme wake asijue yeye na wapambe zake ndiyo walikuwa chanzo cha haya yote!

Kabla ya wingu hili la uasi kuikumba nchi ya Tanzia, mfalme alikuwa ameamrisha Fikra atiwe ndani. Kwani mawazo yake ya uamsho yalikuwa machukizo kwake. Alikuwa akingoja kumkamata Kuthubutu jamaa aliyemuogopa na kumchukia sana kutokana na ujasiri na tabia yake ya kuueleza umma wa wajoli kuwa walikuwa wakichezewa mahepe na mahoka mchana kweupe.

Kosa la Fikra lilikuwa kueleza ukweli kuwa mfalme alikuwa uchi, fisadi, mharibifu na mbabaishaji. Alichukia kuambiwa ukweli kuwa alikuwa akijilisha pepo. H akutaka kuzisoma alama za nyakati na ishara za matukio.

Tazama wakati mvua yenye radi ikiendelea kunyesha, mara angani kulitokea mpasuko uliosababishwa na radi. Mfalme alichanganyikiwa asijue maana yake nini!

Mara alipokuwa akiwaza na kuwazua zilikuja habari kuwa Fikri alikuwa ametabiri maafa iwapo mfalme asingesafisha hekalu lake lililokuwa limejaa mchwa, panya, nyoka, nge na kila aina ya uchafu.

Mfalme alichukizwa na ukweli kuwa undani wake ulikuwa umewekwa uchi kirahisi na haraka. Alizoea kujionyesha kama mpenda haki asijue wajoli walimjua. Alikuwa kizuizi na adui wa haki tena za umma. Alilewa sifa na nyimbo na ngonjera za wapambe wake hadi naye kugeuka mtumbuiza mwenye machukizo kwa wajoli.

Tazama nikiwa naendelea kuota naona vihongwe waliochukia wakibwaga mizigo na mikatale. Walionekana mamia kwa maelfu; wanawake, wanaume, watoto na hata ng’ombe. Walihanikiza wakisema ‘tunataka haki haki sasa’.

Wakiwa na nyuso zenye kunyanzi na miili iliyodhoofu, wajoli walivamia mitaa yote ielekeayo kwenye hekalu. Askari wa mfalme walisimama wakiwa wamepigwa butwaa wasijue la kufanya kuzuia wajoli waliokuwa wameamua kuikata mikatale.

Ingawa amri ilitolewa wampige mshale yeyote aliyethubutu kugoma au kuandama, askari walikharifu amri hii kwa kuona kuwa kweli wajoli walipaswa kupewa haki yao . Nao walishachoka na mzigo wa ufalme uliojaa wizi na matumizi mabaya ya pesa na raslimali za umma.

Kabla ya kujua majaliwa ya ufalme wa Tanzia, mara radi kubwa ilipiga nikatoka usingizini nikiwa kwenye kihoro kikuu.

Chanzo: Tanzania Daima Novemba 12, 2008.

Wednesday 5 November 2008

Obama's speech of acceptance of results





Hello Chicago.

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.

It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.

We are, and always will be, the United States of America.

It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.

A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Sen. McCain.

Sen. McCain fought long and hard in this campaign. And he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.

I congratulate him; I congratulate Gov. Palin for all that they've achieved. And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation's next first lady Michelle Obama.

Sasha and Malia I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the new White House.

And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother's watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight. I know that my debt to them is beyond measure.

To my sister Maya, my sister Alma, all my other brothers and sisters, thank you so much for all the support that you've given me. I am grateful to them.

And to my campaign manager, David Plouffe, the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best -- the best political campaign, I think, in the history of the United States of America.

To my chief strategist David Axelrod who's been a partner with me every step of the way.

To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you. It belongs to you.

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington. It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.

It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.

It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth.

This is your victory.

And I know you didn't do this just to win an election. And I know you didn't do it for me.

You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime -- two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.

Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.

There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save enough for their child's college education.

There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.

I promise you, we as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can't solve every problem.

But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years -- block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night.

This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.

It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.

Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.

In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.

Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.

Those are values that we all share. And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.

As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.

And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.

To those -- to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.

That's the true genius of America: that America can change. Our union can be perfected. What we've already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons -- because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America -- the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.

At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can.

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.

And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.

Yes we can.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves -- if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment.

This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.

Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.