THANK YOU ALL
Ndg Zangu,
I am humbly writing to thank you all for your pouring support and encouraging words. I did not expect anything in return for my simple words, and neither did I deserve them; it was my moral obligation to act on behalf of my country, because I felt as if we were under siege.
I read all of your 315 emails, and hereby admitting that, there are a few that were not that nice, but all in all, the rest were written from heart. Even those who demonstrated hate, I say to them thank you because they taught me another side of life, and that is, even though everybody in a country should be a patriot, not everyone within a country is a patriot.
There are some Kenyans who wrote me as well, and can say thank you to all of you. You have inspired me, and even though we have different borders created by man, we are still one family.
Quoting an isprational line from one of the writers, Donath, a 20, year old of Tanzanian student in Canada, wrote:
“As someone coming from a very humble beginning, moving to Canada has been an experience in its own. The move has very much enlightened me, and also made me aware of how hopeless the situation back home can sometimes appear.
Reading things written by people like Mr. Warigi, living in a culture where materialism and social status determines where you fit in society, and having to deal with been looked down upon by others pending on what part of the world you come from, can easily cause many people (especially my age group) not wanting to be associated with being a Tanzanian and an African in general.
It has been an issue, which has been frustrating me for quite some time. Views of Tanzania, or Africa, and its people, by the world or by people like Mr. Warigi can be very damaging to young people who are yet to develop some pride in who they are and where they come from.”
It should be understood, that, there is no animosity or any hatred towards the Kenyans or Mr. Warigi himself, because he simply spoke his mind and what he had in his heart. Kenyans are our brothers and sisters whom we share so much in common with, and whatever affects them, affects us directly. When bloodletting erupted in Kenya in 2007, Tanzanians were crying, and many opened their doors for their Kenyan brothers and sisters. They demonstrated what brotherhood is all about, and that is protecting one another in the times of need. Remember, we are created to love each other and care for one another, not hate and inflict pain, that is not our nature.
Just like Donath, Mokes Gama, and many others, I was forced to act because the stinging words from Mr. Warigi bared the hallmarks of degradation and humiliation.I have long dreamt of living in a world of hope, and if we cant be hopeful in our country, where else can we? If we cant be respected in our own country, where else can we get respect? We can noloner afford to despair For that matter, if you will, do not shower me with praises; as I only acted out of natural instinct just like any other human being would.
Out of Warigi’s words, I realized that, sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilization and sent nations into despair, and all have started with simple words of personal opinion which ascends into humiliation, and in turn gives birth to revenge.
Caution, moderation, and diplomacy, would perhaps, be our best bet in finding ways forward to creating our regional union. I am sure our leader’s love for the country will rise above their personal interest in order to make wise and sound decisions on our behalf.
Regards,
J. Mashaka
Moral Obligation is to find ways to help answer the question why are we dirt poor as a country? Why do we get angry at the truth? Kenya is dirt poor country as well. If citizens of two dirt poor countries point fingers to each other and yelling at each other while saying stinking words it is a waste of time for both. It is better to face reality and accept the truth even if it was presented in an arrogant manner. We need to do business with each other, we need to build better capacity as East Africans and stop fearing another blood. Some fellow countrymen are worse than foreigners,eliminate those borders, and start to cooperate and compete in areas that will increase productivity in the region. Stop making the Asians traders control East Africa and corrupt the leaders.
ReplyDeleteEast Africa must be ruled and enjoyed by the East Africans. Africa is one, why can't all the countries unite? Start small and then by trial and error you will achieve the greatest mission which is to fight poverty in the region and the whole continent of Africa. Figure out ways of working together as a team instead of ways to stay as individuals. Kenya has failed, uganda has failed, and Tanzania has failed I don't care what you say to convince me this is not true. So why waste the time of the poor people. We need diversity and excellence and we are all East Africans let us be one thing, Kenya is corrupt,TZ is corrupt, Ug is corrupt. We are all dirt poor countries. We need to make things easier and stop complicating lives of many for the benefit of the few. We can make it happen by simply working as a team. Imagine yourself as an entrepreneur operating in all East African countries,paying taxes in all countries and employing people in all countries. We need to change together and have a common mission and vision. Why are we call ourselves heroes for attacking each other by words. Shame on us Africans let us think big. People are laughing at us. Do we want to be laughed at in the next century? We sure don't even in this decade. So what is the deal let us do it and leaders should not dictate our fate. East Africans must enjoy the pursuit of freedom and liberty. East Africans have everything to be proud of and stay in East Africa and achieve America dream in East Africa. Why are we paying 30 years mortgage in America while we can achieve American dream in Africa and make Africa a better place for others to immigrate. We need to reduce waste and focus on building capacity. We need to empower each other and be friends and identify our enemies. The enemies of Africa are not African themselves. We live in a complex world. Our leaders are powerless and they seem to be ruling people who do not have a voice. In this age of technology and innovation we don't need to play a catch up game, we need to think fast and act fast to have an equal playing field with those who are more powerful. So much is at stake in Africa, the people, the future,the economy,children,workforce,health,hunger,poverty,wealth,water,energy,education,science,education,
women and infrastructure. Come one guys, I think our conflict need to be looked at in different way and with different perspectives and we should tackle challenges by accepting the truth and make necessary changes wherever possible. We have a dream and the good thing is a world is better place to learn and do what you can do to change your situation. It takes two to tangle. Think outside the box. We live in a complex world. East, West,South, North where you are should not be your fate. We have got wings to fly and we have to move on. We should think of ways of helping ourselves and our fellow Zimbabweans cuz we are all Africans and we need Africa to be a place to call Home. Africa Unite. Start Small and think big and outside the box.
We can develop a framework whereby African problems can be broken down and discussed structurally. We can formulate strategies of tackling those problems and figure out ways of mobilizing our resources and make them work in African environment. First we need to have the will power and second we need to have motivation. Anything is possible and we should not depend on anybody whatever kind of power they have. God gave everyone some kind of power, start using your power and awaken the giant within yourselves. Yes We can make changes in Africa and make Africa a better place for others to come in and want to stay for ever. Right now, people take advantage of Africa because it is weak. Africa is stuck in the mud. Africa appear as a a dark continent and economically it is a dirt poor continent period So why feel mad? You gotta do something guys it is about time we should get up at 4:00 AM and start work out for the fight and go to bed at midnight. We have no reason to deny that other people are stinking rich while Africans are dirt poor. What is our mistake and what should be our strategy without pointing fingers at our leaders and corrupt people. We live in a complex world but we can make changes in Africa. I have a dream something is gonna happen very soon if we mobilize our energies and strengths. Africa has great opportunities we just don't pay attention to details and don't want to act due to fear or lack of knowledge. We need to show our game African people. Where are we at? The game of accusing each other is outdated. The game of pretending to be patriotic for the sake of gaining popularity and power is outdated. We should focus on Africa's prosperity. Let is call poverty history in Africa. This is a long battle it may take decades or centuries but it will be won by men and women who are hungry for success.
ReplyDeleteOur Differences are minor and can be resolved. Let us put our fears behind and look at what is at stake now and in the future. We are stuck in the mud and need to get out of it with speed. We need to move in a different direction and learn from others.
Mr. Mashaka, with all due respect i don't think this debate is yours for you to declare wound up!! You definately didn't start it and hence should be the one to end it. This debate was started by the Kenyans and some of us wabongo would like to say, "Tunamkoma Nyani hadi Giladi", which in this case will mean we are goign to continue venting our frustration with the Kenyans and in the process urge our leaders to DO AWAY with the whole EAC thing.
ReplyDeleteBado Tunamkoma Nyani Giladi.
Tanzanian Utra-Nationalist.
Mr Mashaka is one of the few who have or could sense that discepancy in most of those fellow Africans who have somehow derailed from the reality and true Africanism.This is due to mainly ignorance,brainwashed and that tendency of embarking and valueing foreign cultures while despising their own.Mr Warigi could be one of them.
ReplyDeleteMalisa BG
Bravo Mr J. Mashaka,
ReplyDeleteCountry like U.S.A, U.K, Japan,.... and many other country in developed world/Civilised world VALUE people like John Mashaka. And for a country like Tanzania of course we deserve also to Value this MAN. Makala anazoandika na kama watu wetu wangekuwa wanaziweka katika Magazeti yetu ya hapa BONGO na watu wakawa wanazisoma nafikiri tungekuwa mbali sana kwenye DUNIA hii.
Forget about grant Corruption and corrupt Leaders in Higher position, if we fight this one by having people like John Mashaka idea's being published and accessed by many people, I think we can let many others bring their ideas to board.
Very few people in this world who are Brilliant like John Mashaka and that's why Country like U.S.A does not want to lose this potential asset on the Financial Market, we need him and we need his attributes or his inherent value to add to our national Economies.
Let us be realistic and not all the time optimistic on matter that touch our interest, we must learn to admit when some one has done a Tremendous job.
Kenya, Uganda among 20 weak, failing states
ReplyDeleteA new UK-based report that labels Kenya and Uganda as among the weak or failing states of Africa is likely to come under strong criticism from Nairobi and Kampala.
The Institute of Public Policy’s Research report identifies 20 states in Africa, including all of Kenya and Uganda’s neighbours with the exception of Tanzania, as “weak” or “failing.”
The IPPR, a left-wing think tank often used to help formulate policy for the ruling Labour government claims that Britain faces a greater threat from the rising number of weak states worldwide than from strong ones.
According to the IPPR’s report, a massively strengthened international effort is required to tackle “failing” states such as Somalia and it proposes a new global agenda to address the issue.
IPPR associate director David Mepham, said: “The international community’s existing approach is weak, incoherent and reactive.
“Too often the policies of developed countries, including the UK, are actually making things worse through irresponsible arms exports, weak controls over money laundering, inadequate regulation of Western companies that trade in illicit commodities like ‘conflict diamonds’ and through unfair global trade rules.
“The international community’s response needs to address not just the symptoms of failure but their underlying causes.”
In particular, the IPPR recommends that the international community take action to:
* Tighten controls over weapons transfers, through an updating of the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports and through agreement on a new International Arms Trade Treaty.
* Toughen international controls over money laundering and corruption.
* Strengthen the regulation of international companies that invest in failed and failing states and support for international initiatives like the Kimberley process to counter the trade in “conflict diamonds.”
The 20 weak or failing states in Africa are Nigeria, Zimbabwe, the DRC, Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Congo-Brazzaville, Liberia, the Central African Republic, Chad, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, Angola, Uganda and Kenya.
Source: The Eastafrican Newspaper
Part of Nation Group Media dated
Mon 08/12/2008
By SHYAKA KANUMA (
ReplyDeleteThe free movement of goods within the East African Community has Rwandan manufacturers worried, and for good reason. As things stand, they cannot compete with their Kenyan, Ugandan and Tanzanian counterparts for various reasons.
One key reason is that manufacturers in the three countries enjoy much bigger economies of scale.
Two, the costs of energy and transportation of raw materials and other kinds of goods to Rwanda are very high.
Finally, Rwandan manufacturers are handicapped by a shortage of appropriate skills.
Now we have a flood of products from bigger EAC economies dominating the local consumer market — from primary commodities like sugar, salt, soap, wheat and maize flour, meats etc to secondary goods like fabrics, office and household furniture, car tyres and so on.
EAC investors, like Kenya’s retail giant Nakumatt, are opening ever newer fronts in the local market. Consumer goods from Kenya and Uganda are preferred in Rwanda mainly because they cost less and are better packaged. It has been a baptism of fire.
To stay afloat, some Rwandan manufacturers have reduced their staff numbers or moved to new markets, especially in eastern Congo. Others are selling off assets to invest in bigger countries in the EAC, or diversifying into non-core businesses such as running retail operations. Yet others are closing down altogether.
“We are not afraid of competition,” says Zulfikar Ali Budhwani the managing director of Socobico, a Kigali-based manufacturer of toilet tissue, sanitary pads and other paper products. But the reality is we are behind Kenya by about 25 years, if not more! And it won’t be until 15 years from now that we will begin to catch up with the bigger EAC firms,” he said.
This is what most manufacturers in Kigali think, and they all feel that the government needs to do something.
Rwanda cannot afford to have protective tariffs and other trade barriers. To its credit, it is legislating away the few that remain in relation to EAC goods, services and free movement of labour.
However, there are those who insist the government must step in to stem this “onslaught.”
But the average consumer who counts the benefits of belonging to the EAC in the variety of goods he or she can access and in the lower prices is not about to begin encouraging acts likely to curtail this flow of goods.
Source: The Eastafrican newspaper Mon 06/12/2008
Scientific Comparison of dirt poor Kenyans and dirt poor Tanzanians. A sample of individuals considered among the wealthiest indigenous people was analyzed between the three countries and the sources of their wealth was also analyzed It was concluded that ......
ReplyDeleteIt should have taken a brilliant person to read the Wagiri's article and comments from others on this blog to know the EAC would have been used by others to take advantage. A brilliant person would not have offended by the news because he should have known. (Abunuwas kukata tawi la mti alilokalia kaanguka halafu anashangaa ulijuaje!).
ReplyDeleteIt’s just simple we want to make sure of fair trade as we does with other countries such as SADCC. We just have so much to loose comparing to our neighbors in terms of land and investments. With such kind of background TZ is still a country to be exploited and we don’t want to give that chance to other countries, lets enjoys matunda ya Ujamaa, the sacrifice and the struggling, ourselves.
Brilliant person was the Minister who refused to sign the contract and the Government under JK to take the time to study the idea. The strategy next time is prevention is better than cure and don’t wait until after the facts to become heroic. I also support utra-nationalist this is not a one man event!
Thank you "Tanzanian Utra-Nationalist". I'm really proud of you for saying what is supposed to be said. Warigi started the insult,by calling us dirt and inhuman names! There's NO WAY we gonna end this,until we see JUSTICE this time!Tanzanians needs justice,NOT by accepting anything which comes out from Warigi's mouth!My fellow Tanzanians if we get out of this debate,then we are accepting what Warigi is saying! That means we are dirt,poor as indicated on his comment!Watanzania,achane kukubali,kutukanwa na watu mnaowasaidia kila uchaguzi! Warigi anawatukana wazazi wako na ndugu zako waliokulea,sababu anataka muungano au anajua kuandika? Utamkaribishaje tena huyu mtukanaji wakati mwingine akipata shida? He knows,Tanzanians gonna give up.Warigi's relatives run to Tanzania every election,and now he is standing there to insult us! There is NO WAY we gonna end this,till justice is DONE! He needs to step on the media again and APOLOGIZE!We are holding Warigi and Nairobi responsible for this!We can't take it anymore!Why Kenya is silent on this? For Nairobi to keep quiet,while knowing it's unafrican to insult neighbors,that concludes it is behind the comment!They are insulting and demeaning even our Leaders who ran over there to cool down violence and chaos!We are holding Warigi and Nairobi responsible for this until justice is done!I don't see the word "thank you" at all! Time will tell!
ReplyDeleteChakubanga
Fikiria kuwa ulikuwa unaoga kwenye bafu ya makuti, ghafla kichaa kaja kachukua nguo zako ulizokuwa umezitundika mlangoni na kuanza kukimbia nazo barabarani. Je ipi busara kwako, kumfukuza huyo kichaa ukiwa uchi huku ukimtupia matusi ya nguoni AU kutafuta namna ya wewe kwanza kujisetiri upate nguo ya kuvaa, kisha utengeneze hiyo bafu iwe nzuri ya kisasa na imara ili siku nyingine huyo kichaa asiweze kukudhalilisha tena? TUSIPOTEZE MUDA.TUTAFUTE MAJIBU YA MATATIZO YETU
ReplyDeleteMdau
Cardiff
sound and wise decisions is too vague.Zipi hizo. be specific to help in understanding what is wise and sound for TZ/EAST AFRICA.
ReplyDeleteTANGAZO:XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
ReplyDeletePaul Kamau NDIYE Warigi Mwenyewe
Huyo mharamia wa kisomalia arudi huko kwao wakaungane na wasomalia. sisi hatutaki muungano wao. Wanachotaka ni rasilimali zetu, na ardhi yetu kuleta majambazi toka Kenya. Kwa nini walilie ardhi wakati Nusu ya nchi imechukuliwa na familia ya Kenyatta?
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Tatizo ni kwamba, chochote kikiandikwa na mashaka, yaani hata machizi yanakimbia yanajifanya ku-comment.
ReplyDeletemashaka hajasema kufunga mjadala, yeye amewashukuru wote waliomuunga mkono. Hiyo comment yakwanza ni mhariri (balozi wa Zein) siyo Mashaka ndiye aliyeiandika.
Ata wanojiita wasomi, hawasomagi ndio maana mnakurupuka.
Ni kweli Wakenya lazima tukomalieane nao. Nyie Wakina Mashaka, acheni kujificha nyuma ya vikomputa mnjifanya kututetea, kama mnatutetea kweli basi njooni mbebe bunduki na ngao twendeni mpakani. Mimi niko tayari hata na mishale nitakwenda kuwapa adabu. ila vizuri article yako imechapishwa Uganda
ReplyDeleteAcheni ku comment sana hapa kwa Mashaka, mnampa umaarufu kupita kiasi. Hawa ndio miaka Kesho wanajifanya wanawatetea, lakini wakirudi na hela zao toka Walstriti hawawajui ata kidogo, kwanza kiswahili chenyewe hawaongei.
ReplyDeleteKwanza mashaka ukikutana naye, mitaani unamkuta na Range-Rover, na hawezi kukusalimia kwa mikono,na hata lifti hawezi kukupa na wala kiswahili haongei. Mimi nilimuona M-Pick huko mwaka huu. Pale mnazi mmoja alikuwa anapiga changa la macho tu.
Mashaka is right.
ReplyDeleteIt was Kenya back in 1977 that made all necessary for EAC to collapse.
Leaving with all benefits and sends packing all Tanzanians working in Nairobi and Mombasa. I was there and saw all this happening. To many in Tanzania that memory is still alive. As Kenyan, I visited Tanzania recently and saw this neighbor of ours making small progress in some areas of its need. I talked to one of my friends there and they told me point blank that they are in surprise now on what has happened to Kenya, which is running in full swing to want everybody join the EA federation. In there words - “Kenya is doing the same and dictating to others that it’s a superpower” and either way they can run with the federation. This friend of mine told me, if we (Kenya) need EA without Tanzania then its ok to join even further unity with Uganda, Somalia and Ethiopia who we share borders with.
Let’s remember the EA was years and years made by three countries Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania and it was Tanzania again in 1984 through President Mwinyi revived the need of EA federation. To let ourselves (Kenya) sail the waters without Tanzania is a show of stupidity. We have to learn that Uganda and Rwanda are big warriors into this region despite them being small countries compared to our (Kenya). They are heavily armed and if joined together lets not make any mistake there are brighter militarily and once in and learn our ego they will overthrow our Nairobi government. The same way they have done in their countries and in Zaire. The only country that can or will stand for us while we are running these two warriors attacking us (Kenya) will be Tanzania. So let’s talk with them in elderly manners. We have gone way far from 1985 to date, and there is no reason of jumping without them.
Despite our needs, either in there Land or anything, let’s go slowly with this big heart brotherly neighbor of ours (Tanzania). We Kenyans have to know what we say to or on them and make sure that some bad words, like Warigis article that we keep saying on them makes them stay away of us as long as they can.
We are all East African and need to understand each other.
I hope common sense and maturity will prevail.
ReplyDeleteKosa la kosa, sio kufanya kosa! Tanzania is a great country with great minds and has a lot to offer to the pending EA Federation. It will come.
We need to get rid of backwardness and fear mongering. We need to prepare our people for the union. We simply can't afford not to in the 21st century and we have East Africans and not Asians or Arabs or European East Africans. We have East Africans, as simple as that. We may be as diverse as anything, but we need to promote Africanism, period.
Nyie si mnajifanya wajanja, subilini basi. Naenda kuandika atiko nzuri kama mashaka, alafu natumia jina lake.kumbafu zenu, nyie mnadhani umaarufu na akili ni mali za mtu mmoja tu, na mimi pia pia lazima niwe maarfufu kama mashaka,bwana, kwani umande na mimi pia nilikanyaga? kwa hiyo nina haki ya kupata mademu wenye viuno kama dondola.
ReplyDeletenajua michuzi king'eng'e is not reachebo kwa hiyo hawezi kujua, kisha natumia jina la mashaka nione kama mtaniwekea comment nzuri kama zake kwenye email yangu.
walahi tena.
Anon wa 2:56am nadhani wewe ndio mchizi usiyekuwa na sense. Unasema “ameshukuru wote waliomuunga mkono” waliomuunga mkono for what?? Ukitaka kushukuru, kashukuru the government of the United Republic of Tanzania for getting it right, the Ministers and the President. Yeye ni mchangiaji tu na watu wakatoa hoja zao kama wanavyotoa katika topics nyingine. Kama unahamu ya kushukuru angalau yule wa Kwanza aliyeleta hii yopic humu kwenye blog it will make more sense. EAC has been a issue for a while haijaanza tu leo and the debate will not end today
ReplyDeleteMashaka,
ReplyDeleteYoua re very right in almost everything you say. True, it is not our nature to be hateful,
being so young and so wise, please dont take your wisdom for granted. use your wisdom to do good things for your country and our world. of course there are many obstackles on your way, please dont give up. Obviously there are hateful comments, dont take them personal, they dont hate you, they hate your wisdom. I dont' want to live see what we went trhough with the EAT. All the benefits of the treaty went to Kenya, and here we are almost 30 years later without anything to show for, but shame of our people puting the entire city locked. FIGHT against this union, it is not good for you people. Lead your fellow young men to resit this useless union.
Former EAU Retiree.
Mithupu, tafadhali anzisha upya ile article origino ya mashaka, huu mjadala tusiufunge sasa hivi.
ReplyDeleteWengi bado hawajaisoma ile article, kwa hiyo waache wadau waanze upya, alafu mbona haujaipeleka kwenye Daily-News?
In response to the first comment which expressed the frustrations of many Tanzanian Nationalists on the dominance of Asian traders in the East African economy. I agree, there has been a significant amount of exploitation by the Asian minorities in terms of economic productivity. However, what of the significant amount who have only utter allegiance to Tanzania and share the same nationalistic passion of the frustrated? Those of us who shed our blood and never exploit Tanzania in any way? Those of us who are in essence Tanzanians? As Mr. Mashaka stated, where are we to find solace but in our country?
ReplyDeleteUnless we enterfere with matters of international security, then is topic is far from over. And the Tanzania stand on intergration has been set by us through the referendum and not our leaders or Mr. Mashaka. And we should be careful of people who pretend to be the owners of this debate. Being a good writer doesnt make you a good leader. We need people who have been tested here and not speaking through other countries experience.
ReplyDeleteECONOMY-KENYA: Amid Political Crisis, Food Shortages Loom
ReplyDeleteBy Rosalia Omungo
NAIROBI, Elizabeth Mutai, who farms passion fruit in the Keiyo district in Kenya's Rift Valley, is worried. Sales of the crop has dropped significantly since the eruption of violence after the election held in December 2007.
''I planted three acres of passion fruit and now I have to throw the fruit away to the cows,’’ she laments.
The drop in domestic demand has seen traders from neighbouring countries cashing in on the crisis.
According to Mutai, ‘‘traders from across the border have been taking advantage of the situation. They insist on buying a kilogram at a throwaway price of 5 shillings (0.07 dollars). They then sell the fruit making a killing at 150 shillings (2,2 dollars) per kilogram’’.
The result is that Mutai’s household has struggled with buying food. Her children’s education has also been affected. She has two university students in the house who are expected to report back for their studies but she cannot afford the fees.
Maize farmer Francis Kimosop Kimetto complains about the costs of inputs. ‘‘Last year, diesel was 60 shillings per litre (0,9 dollars) but now we have to pay 81 shillings per litre (1,2 dollars).’’ He has also been hit hard by soaring fertiliser prices.
‘‘If fertiliser remains this expensive, farmers will revert back to the traditional method of cow dung which will reduce the yield,’’ he adds.
Raymond Sande, a maize farmer in Keiyo, suffers under a similar plight. ‘‘The price of crop inputs has tripled’’ since the start of the conflict, he says. ‘‘Farmers here will be out of business if something does not happen urgently.’’
He uses phosphate fertiliser for the maize crop. ‘‘Last year, I spent 1,500 shillings (20 dollars) on fertiliser. This year I am spending more than double that. There is no profit to look forward to. The ministry of agriculture should do something urgently,’’ says Sande.
‘‘We want a minister who will solve our problems,’’ says Francis Rono, a wheat farmer in Kitale which lies in the North Rift Valley. This area, part of the bread basket of the country, is one of the regions affected by the political unrest.
But farmers’ woes are further compounded by the fact that there is no minister in charge of agriculture presently. After the announcement of results of the disputed December 27 general election, the President Mwai Kibaki put in place a lean cabinet with 10 key ministries represented. Agriculture is not one of the 10.
Statistics show that farmers normally prepare more than 30 percent of their land for tilling by January. However, only 10 percent is presently ready. Evictions from land and the unavailability of farming inputs and equipment led to this situation.
Food shortages loom as production in wheat and maize has dropped. Some farmers had not completed harvesting the last season’s crop by the time the violence broke out. Destruction extended to stores being razed.
Maize reserves are inadequate. The National Cereals and Produce Board has 430,000 tons of maize in its strategic reserves -- enough to survive only the first quarter of the year.
Catherine Wanjiru, a Nairobi resident, expressed shock at how quickly food prices shot up.
‘‘I had to cut my budget for the past month because the prices of virtually all commodities have increased by two or three shillings,’’ she explains.
While the shelves at local supermarket chains in Nairobi remain well-stocked, rumours are doing the rounds that traders have been hiding their goods in anticipation of massive price inflation. Messages like ‘‘buy enough stock to last a lifetime as you never know what will happen next’’ have been circulating.
Mama Mon’gina, a trader at the Kawangware market, one of the largest markets in Nairobi, says she has been able to obtain goods as usual. The mother of six sells traditional green vegetables which she buys from farmers on the outskirts of the city.
‘‘I leave early morning for Wangige where I buy the supplies. They are fresh. The farmers can’t hoard their produce because it is perishable. They are only lucky to have us buyers because their goods have been rotting on the farms. There is no one to buy the stuff because people are restricting their movements following the post-election violence.’’
With the disruption of transport services it is more difficult to move from one place to another.
Meanwhile a report released by the World Food Programme, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the government’s early warning system last year cautioned that limited rains and the low prospect more rain would exacerbate food shortages.
The food update for February says serious food shortages could be experienced because of the post-election violence which mainly hurt the bread basket regions of the Rift Valley and Western provinces.
More than 1,000 people are dead in the post-election skirmishes that also saw 300,000 people displaced. Kenyans are calling for a quick solution to the problem. (END/2008)
NAIROBI SLUMS - LIKE KIBERA AND MATHARE,
ReplyDeleteWHERE TOILET FACILITES, ARE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN FOOD.
The target of reducing by half the number of people without access to clean water and sanitation by 2015 was adopted in the final action plan at the end of the summit. Joseph Nyamwange, a Kenyan Journalist, observes that papers were presented and blue prints inaugurated but the question remains: Will ‘ Waterdome’ prompt African governments to act before its too late? In this very revealing master- piece Nyamwange exposes the reality ordinary Kenyans are faced with sparking a major irony, where us living amidst major water resources for years Clean water has alluded many.
The focus of the recent 10-day world summit on sustainable development in Johannesburg, South Africa was water. Over 2,500 delegates converged at the Waterdome, which was inaugurated by former South African president Nelson Mandela.
The statistics presented at the Water- Dome were grim. Over one billion people, or 18 percent of the world’s population, lack access to safe drinking water and over 2.4 billion people are without basic sanitation.
The target of reducing by half the number of the people without access to clean water and sanitation by 2015 was adopted in the final action plan at the end of the summit. Papers were presented and blueprints inaugurated but the question remains: Will Water-Dome prompt African governments to act before it is too late?
In Kenya, for instance, where poverty has reached alarming levels, there is a direct link between the way water resources are managed and standards of living in the country.
The capital, Nairobi, with a population of well over two million people, has been reeling from perennial water shortages with no tangible solutions in sight. The 100-year-old city, ironically was founded by the colonial government on account of its abundance of fresh water (Nairobi comes from a Maasai word meaning a place of cool waters.)
Where us Nairobi, already the leading industrial and commercial metropolis of the region, is expanding rapidly both in area and population, little is being done to improve its water and sanitation services.
There are only two water sources of water supply –Sasumua Dam established before independence, and Ndakaini, which was built in 1991-to serve the city centre, residential estates and satellite towns which have become town of their own.
Business premises in the city centre have learnt to cope with dry taps, with many contracting private water hawkers to deliver water in tankers, pick-ups and handcrafts.
Restaurants, fast food outlets and bars are the most affected, as the nature of their business requires amounts of water.
Because of the water shortage sanitation is also in a sorry state. Most restaurants and fast food outlets have no toilet facilities and customers know better than to ask for them.
Moving out of the city centre, the residential areas have a similar story to tell. People in, for instance, Langa’ta, one of the middle class estates nearest, town, have given up on running taps. Although the estate is situated next to the Nairobi dam, a large reservoir containing thousands of liters of water whose only use seems to be breed mosquitoes and the water hyacinth the residents have to rely on water from Sasumua in Nyadarau district, over 80kilometers away.
The capital’s satellite towns, whose residents commute to work in the city, have a worse problem. In spite of affordable housing, they face the problems of the slum areas of town. They not only lack piped water but even a sewerage system. Areas like Ngong, Onga’ta Rongia, Ruai and Athi River are expanding rapidly to ease congestion in the cities residential estates, but water and sanitation problems are making them less and less attractive.
Apart from Athi River, which has piped water (whose supply is erratic) because of the presence of the Export Processing Zone, the rest have to make do with salty borehole water that is not only extremely expensive but also delivered under unhygienic conditions by handcraft vendors.
It is also ironic here that towns like Athi river-next to Kenya’s second largest river, the Athi and home to the EPZ, Kenya’s fastest growing sector, not to mention two large cement factories-should depend on water from Ndakani in Muranga district, over 100 kilometers away.
Nor do any of the satellite towns have sewerage systems. They have to rely on septic tanks, most of them mere depressions in the ground covered with concrete slabs.
Because of there relatively cheap rents these areas have attracted low-to lower-middle-income wokers who hope to make savings on housing only to find themselves spending small fortunes on water.
This puts them in the same league with major Nairobi slums like Kibera, Mathare Korogocho, Kamgemi and Mukuru, where toilet facilities are more expensive than food. A research on poverty eradication in Kibera last year showed that toilet facilities cost Ksh5 (6US cents) per visit per family member, regardless of the nature of the call.
It costs a slum dweller dearly to carter for a child with a running stomach!
Nairobi is not alone; the story is the same in many other Kenyan towns. Kisumu, which is in the process of being given city status, has never known the joys of consistent running water for decades, in spite of being on a water front of Africa’s largest freshwater lake. The stench that welcomes visitors to the town says it all.
Mombasa, Kenya’s second largest town soon to be made city too, again is a case of water everywhere but not a drop to drink. Many rivers from the up-country empty their waters into the Indian Ocean not far from Mombasa, but the town’s residents view clean water as a rare commodity. The story is the same in Nakuru, Eldoret, Nyeri and Kakamega not to mention the towns in semi-arid north of the country.
The question is: Is the perennial shortage of clean drinking water caused by a shortage of water per se in the Country?
[Tanzania] 'Stable' Dar leads global agenda on African poverty
ReplyDeletefrom The East African
By JOHN MBARIA
Special Correspondent
Tanzania's role as the leading player in the campaign to shape the global agenda on poverty alleviation in Africa was confirmed at a recent high profile UN meeting in Vancouver, Canada.
Top Tanzanian government officials played a key role in the deliberations of the 3rd Session of the World Urban Forum organised by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), with Vice President Dr Ali Mohamed Shein giving a keynote address during the opening ceremony.
John Magufuli Pombe, who holds the Lands and Housing docket, was not to be left out. Besides co-chairing the Forum's closing session, Mr Pombe had constantly urged the world to establish a global settlements fund to aid the millions of poor people in African cities.
"Tanzania would like to propose that the time has come to establish a special Fund bank within UN-Habitat," he said.
In addition, a Tanzanian media personality, Jenerali Ulimwengu, was invited to moderate the session called to discuss developments since the Commission for Africa handed over its report to the British Prime Minister Tony Blair in March last year and since heads of state of the Group of Eight wealthiest countries in the world held their meeting in June last year in Scotland.
Tanzania's prominence in keeping the world focused on issues affecting Africa is further enhanced by the executive director of UN-Habitat, Anna Tibaijuka, who was the key personality in the Vancouver conference that brought together about 10,000 delegates from as many as 200 countries. Mrs Tibaijuka's views on what is needed to tackle the plight of Africa's poor – sought by government representatives, key global financiers, representatives of international NGOs and the media.
She and the immediate former Tanzanian president, Benjamin Mkapa, had also been appointed commissioners in the 17-member Commission for Africa in 2004. The Commission was mandated to define the salient features of the debilitating poverty in the continent and to give workable recommendations on the changes needed to address the continent's plight.
The Commission completed its task in March last year and compiled its findings in a report – Our Common Interest; Report of the Commission for Africa. The report recognises that Africa needs to be steering its own development with rich nations playing a supportive role.
The EastAfrican has learnt that Mrs Tibaijuka was instrumental in having issues affecting cities in Africa form part of the report. The University of Dar es Salaam was later commissioned to translate the report into Kiswahili.
Commentators believe Tanzania's increasingly significant role in shaping the global agenda on Africa has to do with its political stability as opposed to Kenya and Uganda who are more inward looking. While Uganda is reeling from a devastating war in the North, Kenya's significance as a global player seems to be waning even though it hosts two major UN bodies and is yet to experience any major civil strife.
During the World Urban Forum, the Kenyan government was represented by Local Government Minister Musikari Kombo and Housing Minister Soita Shitanda.
Representatives of Kenyan NGOs gave a sterling performance during the global meet. They staged and officiated in a number of networking events while some had sponsored some residents of Nairobi's slums to attend.
Groots-Kenya, ActionAid-Kenya, Practical Action (formerly Intermediate Technology Group-ITDG), Pamoja Trust and Operation Firimbi were among the NGOs that were prominently represented at the conference.
Mashaka , I respect your stand and opinionated mind concerning EA Federation debate. None of us rule with our opinion in a debate even though you might have strong feelings with your concerns. Debates are for the sake of challenging our thoughts in finding optimum solutions to problems. Let us put our opinion and thoughts in the manner that we can agree without being disagreeable.
ReplyDeleteI can understand Warigi’s point of view besides his negative and insulting tone in delivery. His harsh and insulting words are a result of frustration caused by our country, Tanzania, deliberately putting EA Confederation progress to stagnation. He even mentioned if we are not ready we can pull out and let other member countries proceed with Federation plans. We, Tanzania, act as a firewall in their efforts of regional trade, commerce and integration. Its true Tanzania is acting like firewall and proving to be a liability in EA Confederation progress.
None of the EA Federation member countries is a threat to one another. We are all poor countries and that is a fact. We need to establish bilateral cooperation if we need to advance and compete in global trade and commerce. There is no point of travel restrictions to member countries. Learn from EU, US and Canada, and even US and EU. These relations have built up alliance to bring down the Soviet block and take control of the world market as well as regional security. Look at the emerging economies like China, Japan, India, and Brazil how they strive competing in the global market. Just recently all G7 leaders where were in DC talking about combating the global recession.
I am going to disagree with you Mashaka because I am a strong believer in global free trade. In free market you have to compete vigorously to get your share, and that is what China, India, Japan, and other emerging economies are doing. Even though NAFTA has sent jobs outside US, It is not NAFTA or any other international trade treaty which put US into recession. Mashaka , you and I, both know: It is the greed of corporate America CEO’s and its and its senior management staff, mismanagement of corporate America and the Wall Street in particular which brought the economy to its knees. You can argue about this because you are part of that wing. To elaborate this I will use the airline industry in the US. The Industry has downsized most of the blue collar jobs. Right now they have just one or two attendants per plane. They still make losses every quarter. Why? Pilots and the senior management pay themselves too much. Pilots took a pay cut of almost 20% to keep their jobs. Tell me if a blue collar job person can take a pay cut like that. Even today the CEO of Merrill Lynch kissed goodbye his $10 million worth yearly bonuses besides his organization downsizing about 35,000 jobs, mostly blue collar jobs.
On the other hand, I understand and strongly agree with my fellow Tanzanians in issues related to: land privatization; national security; mining industry; natural resources and tourism. These are the crucial issues in my opinion which need to put in consideration rather than travel restrictions.
My personal opinion is to pull out of the EA Confederation at this time. Our country has a lot of problems which we need to deal with before committing ourselves to EA Federation. The urgency of solving our own problems at home overrides the significance of joining the federation. Our priority right now should be: building our democracy; building our infrastructure; fighting poverty and diseases; combating corruption and graft; raising our economy with its people’s living standards; and educating our people.
Meshak:
ReplyDeleteWhile your rhetoric power, thinking capacity, interlectual and general know how is intimidating to many of your peers especially in Tanzania, I am categorically faulting you for being part of the corrupt system that has sent the world economies into shumbles.
You cannot preach morality to us, yet you are keeping millions of dollars from walstreet pretending to be a Tanznaian savior. if you want Ubunge come and fight EPA Then we weill give you Ubunge.
It seems as if you have absolutely taken hostage Tanzanian media that ur using as a mouthpiece for your propaganda machine. I know you are a genius but dont make fool of your people. Silencing Warigi was enoguh and should let to rest. Patriot #1 you are #2
For the informed people of Tanzania, Kenya tribal wars have been precipitated by the land scarcity. Kenya lacks arable alnd, and the growing population will be having nothing more than the rich continuing their dominance of ownership. That is what they want in Tanzania, and we simply can’t let them do this.
ReplyDeletenamuunga mkono mwandishi wa haya makala kwa sababu nadhani umefika muda tuamue kitu kimoja. Tukikubali kuwaleta wakenya basi sawa, tukiamua waishie zao, basi waishie. Ardhi ya Tanzania ni ya watanzania peke yao. Balozi mashaka, asante sana kwa kujitolea libeneke kuongoza hii mijadala ya EAT
ReplyDeleteTHERE IS NO QUESTION OR DISCUSSION. WE DO NOT WANT THE UNION BECAUSE KENYANS ARE AFTER OUR LAND AND RESOURCES.
ReplyDeleteSIMPLY PUT NO MORE DISCUSSION NEEDED. TANZANIANS OVERWHELMINGLY DO NOT WANT THE UNION. SIYO MASHAKA, NA WALA SIYO MICHUZI AU KIKWETE. WATANZANIA HATUTAKI!!!!
Wee mashaka, usipate bichwa sana. Kuwa na akili ni baraka za mwenyezi mungu. Kwa hiyo ichukulie kwa unyenyekevu na utumie akili alizokupa kuleta mabadiliko nchini kwako.
ReplyDeleteKwanza hacha kujificha nyuma ya computer Uingereza, njoo nyumbani upambane na Dr. Slaa kwa sababu wewe ni mkereteketwa wa CCM. Tunajua kwamba CCM inakutayarisha kuwa waziri wa fedha ua wa mambo ya nje hii siyo siri.Tunalijua kabisa, kwamba JK anakutayarisha kuwa mmoja wa waziri wake atakayemuwakilisha katika mikutan mikubwa
EAT is a dead thing. We are not going to see any further discussion because Kenyan’s want in the Union. Is obvious, our land resources. Clear thing is that Tanzania’s don’t want the integration.
ReplyDeleteBasi hawa wakumbafu wakenya wakizidi kutusumbua inabidi tuingie maofisini tuwabebe juu juu tuwarudishe makwao. Wanaroho mbaya sana kwao alafu sasa hivi wanjifanya kwamba wao ndio wao, kumbafu sana wakenya. Kama wamesoma si wakae kwao, watanzania wasomi hawapati kazi lakini hii mijitu inapewa vibali za kufanyia kazi nchini kwetu.
ReplyDeleteI second the above contributor, if Kenya are so much in of a union, then why cant they unite with the Ethiopians and the Somali’s sharing the border with t hem? They may be able to help the international community to stem piracy and crime in the horn of Africa.
ReplyDeleteCRIME IN KENYA:
ReplyDeleteCRIME: There is a high rate of crime in all regions of Kenya, particularly Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and at coastal beach resorts. There are regular reports of attacks against tourists by groups of armed assailants. Pickpockets and thieves carry out "snatch and run" crimes on city streets and near crowds. Visitors have found it safer not to carry valuables, but rather to store them in hotel safety deposit boxes or safe rooms. However, there have been reports of safes being stolen from hotel rooms and hotel desk staff being forced to open safes. Walking alone or at night, especially in downtown areas, public parks, along footpaths, on beaches, and in poorly lit areas, is dangerous and discouraged.
Violent criminal attacks, including armed carjacking and home invasions/burglary, can occur at any time and in any location, and are becoming increasingly frequent, brazen, vicious, and often fatal. In early 2007, two American citizens were killed and one critically injured in two separate carjacking incidents. Nairobi averages about ten vehicle hijackings per day and Kenyan authorities have limited capacity to deter and investigate such acts. Matatus (public transportation) tend to be targeted since they carry up to 14 passengers. Although these attacks are often violent, victims are generally not injured if they do not resist. There is also a high incidence of residential break-ins and occupants should take additional security measures to protect their property. Thieves and con artists have been known to impersonate police officers, thus Americans are strongly encouraged to ask for identification if approached by individuals identifying themselves as police officials, uniformed or not.
Thieves routinely snatch jewelry and other objects from open vehicle windows while motorists are either stopped at traffic lights or in heavy traffic. Vehicle windows should be up and doors locked regardless of the time of day or weather. Thieves on matatus, buses and trains may steal valuables from inattentive passengers. Americans should guard their backpacks or hand luggage and ensure these items are not left unattended. Purchasing items from street vendors is strongly discouraged – visitors should only use reputable stores or businesses. Many scams, perpetrated against unsuspecting tourists, are prevalent in and around the city of Nairobi. Many of these involve people impersonating police officers and using fake police ID badges and other credentials. Nevertheless, police checkpoints are common in Kenya and all vehicles are required to stop if directed to do so.
Highway banditry is common in much of North Eastern Province, Eastern Province, the northern part of Coast Province, and the northern part of the Rift Valley Province. These areas are remote and sparsely populated. Incidents also occur occasionally on Kenya's main highways, particularly after dark. Due to increased bandit activity, air travel is the recommended means of transportation when visiting any of the coastal resorts north of Malindi. Travelers to North Eastern Kenya and the North Rift Valley Region should travel with the police escorts or convoys organized by the government of Kenya.
There has been an increase in armed banditry in or near many of Kenya’s national parks and game reserves, particularly the Samburu, Leshaba, and Masai Mara game reserves. In response, the Kenya Wildlife Service and police have taken some steps to strengthen security in the affected areas, but the problem has not been eliminated. Travelers who do not use the services of reputable travel firms or knowledgeable guides or drivers are especially at risk. Safaris are best undertaken with a minimum of two vehicles so that there is a backup in case of mechanical failure or other emergency. Solo camping is always risky.
The Kenyan mail system can be unreliable and monetary instruments (credit cards, checks, etc.) are frequently stolen. International couriers provide the safest means of shipping envelopes and packages, although anything of value should be insured. Back to Top INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed. See our information on Victims of Crime.
Source: US State Department
HUYU MASHAKA NI MUUZA KARANGA ZA KUCHOMA POSTA YA ZAMANI, SASA INAKUWAJE ANASIFIWA KAMA MUNGU MTU. TOKA ZENU HAPA NA HUYO MASHAKA WENU. KWANI YEYE TU NDO JINIAS, JINIAS WENGI BWANA HATA MIMI NI MMOJA WAO.
ReplyDeleteWAKENYA MARUFUKU
ReplyDeleteWe can not let these people come into our country as long they still kill themselves. The last election blood birth is another lesson or a wakeup call for us to learn from. Kenyan’s are simply irrelevant partners in the union
Mashaka amefundishwa kuwa na akili alipokuwa kichunga ngombe mbuzi na sungura wa babu yake huko Tarime kwa wakurya. Mjamaa wanaamini kuoa wake saba, yeye tayari anawake watatu, mdogo wangu akiwa mmoja wao. Shemeji ilimradi unamtunza mdogo wangu wewe poa sana tu.
ReplyDeleteTutakuongezea mwingine ilimradi tu uZidi kutuletea mshiko toka wal streeti. Mjomba nitamtunza naye hawe na akili kama wewe.
BBC Report on Kenya
ReplyDeleteI am always very impressed with people like Mashaka, who builds points and defends them. BBC report below shows how Tribalism in Kenya has been so rampant. While they talk of Tanzania giving Kenya Experts hard time, here they are on their own. We can’t let this people in our country, and Good Job Mr. Mashaka for your HEROISM. You are incredible my man
The rise of tribalism in the workplace has become a major talking point in Kenya following a newspaper investigation.
A report by Anthony Ngare, a journalist with the country's East African Standard, argued that discrimination along tribal lines, albeit in a disguised form, is dominating the Kenyan workplace. Mr Ngare told BBC World Service's Outlook programme that although many Kenyans believe in the principles of a meritocracy, where those with the right skills advance furthest up the career ladder, up to 80% of the workforce of some Kenyan companies often comes from the same tribal area.
"People will have to open up and talk about the situation," he said.
'Widespread' problem
Following Mr Ngare's report, Titus Naikuni, the Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Airways and one of Kenya's leading business figures, made a speech in which he condemned the practice of tribalism. Mr Naikuni, told Outlook that he had made his statement "based on what you hear both from members of staff and also people seeking employment".
tribalism
ReplyDeleteAnd Mr Naikuni warned that tribalism had the potential to damage Kenya's economic prospects in the future.
"When people start looking at each other from a tribal point of view, and you are not employed because of your own credentials, then it starts affecting productivity," he said. "If I am employing someone because they come from a particular tribe and not because they are qualified, then the results would be disastrous for an organisation."
Kenya Airways is now implementing a policy of having committees for interviewing, and openly discussing the problem, he explained. Mr Ngare, said that Mr Naikuni's speech meant that the subject could now be discussed openly.
"Previously it had been subtle," he said
Young hope
Evelyn Mungai, the chair of the Kenyan branch of anti-corruption organisation Transparency International, said the problem had got much worse in the last year.
In particular, she said tribalism is rampant throughout the public sector, where it is about "who you know". "You appoint people from your background because you want votes, and that's why the public sector has been very much in the news," she said.
"Lately, what we have seen in the political arena is we have seen people from a particular tribe going to the president saying: 'you've got to appoint people from my area to such-and-such a position'. "Now it's coming to a situation where it's become rather dangerous - in a few years' time what I see is a situation where meritocracy goes out of the window, and you're talking in terms of tribalism taking centre stage."
She added she believed that tribalism in the workplace has blossomed since Kenya became a multi-party democracy, with more people thinking in terms of their tribe.
But Ms Mungai also said she believed the younger generation were less inclined to think along tribal lines, which offered hope for the future. "Once the younger generation is in leadership positions - whether in the public sector or private sector - I think tribalism will ease," she said.
"It is the older generation 'taking care of people back home,' as it were. That's why we've got hope for this country."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4624698.stm
CORRUPTION IN KENYA
ReplyDeleteWhen the government of President Mwai Kibaki came to power two years ago it launched an anti-graft crusade. The country still regularly ranks as one of the most corrupt in the world.
The new report shows that firms pay, or are regularly asked to pay, bribes to judges and officials. President Kibaki's crackdown on corruption was his flagship policy. It was hugely popular with the public.
Broken promises
Ordinary Kenyans were fed up with having to pay bribes for simple bureaucratic tasks such as the issuing of birth certificates or vehicle licences. Since then, scandals involving senior government figures have rather taken the gloss off the anti-corruption drive.
But this latest survey by the World Bank and the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research shows that graft still oils the wheels of business in Kenya. Half of the firms surveyed said they had been asked for a bribe in the past year.
Many also admitted to paying MPs, senior bureaucrats and judges in order to influence policy or to sway the result of a legal case. Despite the government's public declarations, the majority of companies also said that gifts or informal payments were expected to secure a government contract.
For anti-corruption campaigners, the report makes depressing reading but its results are not surprising. Gladwell Otieno, the head of Transparency International in Kenya, said the public was increasingly disgusted by the government's broken promises.
SOURCE: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4206229.stm
LAND PROBLEM IN KENYA
ReplyDeleteLand is kenya’s most intractable national issue. Kenya’s independence struggle was waged primarily on land grievance. But land is not only bound with sovereignty. It also lies at the heart of social, political and economic life. However, access and ownership of arable land underlines the deep seated political, socio-economic and regional inequities in kenya. According to the kenya land alliance, a network advocating for land reform, more than half the arable land is owned by 20 per cent while 13 per cent of kenyans are landless. Land is tied with ethnic identity.
There are lingering claims to alienated tribal lands. The pokot say they were not compensated for the alienation of what is now trans nzoia district. Similarly, the maasai assert that they were swindled out of their land through the maasai agreements of 1904 and 1911. The Ndungu commission report revealed that landlessness among squatters is linked to the failure of the post-independence governments to implement a comprehensive resettlement programme. Because they lack ethnic entitlement, squatters are vulnerable to frequent displacements and dispossession.
The management of tribal land rights is a tripwire for social and political turmoil. In particular, the unresolved grievance of colonial land alienation underlies the risks of social and political conflict.
Many analysts have argued that land is the reason why rift valley was the epicenter of the recent post-election violence. Unresolved historical claims to tribal territory render existing property rights weak or uncertain. At independence, arable land was deemed inexhaustible resource. But rapid population growth, demographic mobility and rising land market value have triggered intense competition for land.
Today, kenya’s arable land which comprises only 20 per cent of kenya’s total land area of 582,646 sq. Km is inhabited by 75 per cent area of kenya’s 34 million people. Many sub-locations in Nyanza, Western and Central province have per capita land holdings of about 0.07 hectares, the benchmark of land scarcity. It is projected that by 2025, kenya will join the ranks of countries suffering from a scarcity of arable land. A draft national land policy (DNLP) has been formulated to reform rights and access to land for all kenyans. The land reform policy is based on the principles of redistribution, restitution, resettlement, and land readjustment. The approach of the DNLP is redistributive. It is founded on the principles of state-led agrarian reform. There is little empirical evidence that redistributive policy approaches have achieved desired land reform goals. In india, home to a significant proportion of the world’s poor, the efficacy of this approach however, has been limited and much Debated.
Implementation of the proposals of the DNLP depends on the availability of suitable land. In reality, runaway population growth, land degradation and declining per capita arable land holding leaves not enough land to go round.
Proponents of market-led land reform advocate for individual land rights through secure tenure and progressive taxation to discourage speculative land hoarding. This policy approach leads inevitably, to a strong private land market that encourages land sale and supports land rental markets.
Market-led reforms do not favour the landless. However, a reliable land rent market has the potential to attract investors in who have access to capital and skills to invest in agro-business in rural areas. The rural poor and the landless then have an opportunity to offer their labour for competitive wages.
Smallholder farmers must be encouraged through land sale or land rentals to leave the agricultural sector to give way to larger holdings. Larger farms can attain higher production efficiencies, cope with competition and tap the benefits of globalization. Former smallholder farmers should seek employment as farm workers or shift to the industrial or service sectors.
Skeptics ask if this is realistic, especially when there is little evidence of an emerging industrial sector. Their sense is that the government should provide greater support so that smallholder farmers remain a central pillar of our economy. Kenya will not become a middle income country by 2030 if 75 per cent of us are trapped in peasantry and poverty in handkerchief-seized parcels of land. I doubt that the heavy investment in education and the proposals to revamp science and technology are meant to gear up the next generation of peasant farmers.
Source http://74.125.45.132/search?q=cache:qj8VqPTloHAJ:www.mashada.com/forums/kenya-2008/70604-land-reform-kenya-way.html+KENYA+LAND+SCARCITY&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us
Kwa maneno machache, napenda kusema kwamba, Tanzania ingekuwa mashaka 10 tu, basi tungekuwa mbali. Vijana kama hawa mara nyingi 90% wanaandika historia ambayo dunia inaibulalia. Mashaka, umahiri wako, uzalendo wako ni uzalendo wa kipekee.
ReplyDeleteNjoo nyumbani uijenge taifa, nina imani rais wetu ambaye pia ni kijana , tayari ameshaona uwezo wako na atakupa kazi ambayo itaendana na uwezo wako. Hii ndiyo Tanzania yetu mpya, siyo ile ya Gitau Waridi pumbavu la Kenya. Kikuyu mwenye roho mbaya anayetaka kunyakua ardhi zza watu.
Yeye ni mjukuu wa Kenyatta, ambao wamechukua karibia nusu ya Kenya. Kwa hiyo wanataka kuja Tanznai kuchukua nusu nyingine.
Tutakuwa wapumbavutukimruhusu hawa watu kuja hata kufanya kilimo. Tunao wazawa wengi ambao wanaweza kulima ardhi yetu, siyo lazima wakenya. Mashaka na vijana wengine, livalieni hili swala njuga ili mafisadi wasije kuiuza nchi. Good job, son of Tanganyika
Ume nail huyo mkenya amekoma adabu, nina uhakika hawezi tena kutuandika kiujinga, tunakuamini utamjibu siyo kijadhba bali ki ustraarabu pointi baada ya pointi
I have never heard mashaka speak in Public, but from the look of his writing. I see a deep thinker, a visionary and a true patriot. He reminds me of our dear Mwalimu. One of our contributers in Jamii forum, while discussing Corrupt people like Masha whoa re abusing their power, argued, that Mashaka’s generation link is what we need to get where need to be in terms of pushing our development wheel. Nyerere will forever be remembered for pushing and spearheading the growth of Kiswahili in East and Central Africa, which epitomized his belief that Kiswahili could promote African unity, just as it had done in Tanzania. He gave content and meaning to Tanzania`s independence by recognising the role of an indigenous language in the development of cultural authenticity and national unity.
ReplyDeleteTo him, pan-Africanism meant self-determination in political, economic, ideological, social and cultural spheres. As globalisation witnesses growing nationalism in other continents of the world (such as pan-Europeanism in Europe), and Africa risking marginalisation, African thinkers, intellectuals and literacy icons such as Ali Mazrui, Chinua Achebe, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Okot P’Bitek and Wole Soyinka have made passionate pleas for a cultural re-awaking, which they see as a first step towards social, political and economic growth. It is the thesis of this paper that by drawing from Nyerere’s example, African renaissance and the dream of pan-Africanism shall be realised and that Africans shall not only discover themselves and uphold their identity but also appreciate the inherent power enshrined in its cultural heritage.
It is argued that over-reliance on imperialist colonial languages, which by and large embrace and are emblazoned with Western world views, cultural values and ideals, is in fact neo-colonial and therefore detrimental to African unity and the spirit of pan-Africanism. It is demonstrated that a common indigenous language will not only foster unity but also accommodate and manage diversity, express identity and articulate concerns for collective action and shared solutions to achieve growth and development. Keep it up Mashaka good Job for crushing the Idiot Gitau Warigi. He deserved your onslaught and your mightiness of your intellect
Mr. Mashaka, will I give you your due credit for your extra ordinary patriotism and your ability to analyze and dissect issues, I must fault you for calling Kenyans brothers and sisters. I lived in Kenya for more than 10 years as an expatriate. And my experience could be described as rage. You can’t call Kenyan’s you brothers and sisters because they are and not going to be.
ReplyDeleteWhile we have qustioned many a times, who mashaka was, he has risen into prominence and spotlight witht he EAT debate. Your leading role has accorded you place in our country as a true partiot and a hero. while the winner is Mashaka, Warigi has lost the battle of the Titans and this should server as an example that Kenyans are no match to Tanzania humility. Good job for fending off the land grabbers
ReplyDeleteNikiwa kama mbunge wa chama tawala ambaye nimepinga sana, ninapinga na nitazidi kupinga Muungano wa Afrika Mashariki, nimependezwa mwano na hoja zenu
ReplyDeleteChama tawala hakitakubali, na wala viongozi wa serikali hawatakubali kubinafsisha ardhi yetu na kutumia aina moja ya kitambulisho. hii itakuwa kama vile kusema kwamba haya chukueni tanzania. kitu ambacho hatutakubali.
Mjadala wenu umejaa hoja. Vijana mkiongozwa na mwenzenuu machachari Jonh Mashaka,natumai mmeonyesha kwamba Tanzania siyo lelemama walivyodhania wao. Nasi viongozi wenu tumewasikia na hatutaruhusu nchi yetu kuchezewa na jirani zetu. rasilimali zetu na ardhi yetu, ni yetu tu.
Hon: MP
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ReplyDeleteMajitu mengine bwana, sijui ni utahira au kitu gani.
Kama kinge'nge akipandi kula kona.Sijui mara mashaka kawa hivi mara kwa vile, sijui kaandika nini.
eh kwani umelazimishwa kusoma?
Kula taimu Mwanaharamu, pepo mchafu, ulaaniwe kwa jina la padri Karugendo !
Kama uliogopa umande shauri yako kafie mbali mbuzi wa Ng'twara wewe, Hacha wivu mwenzio kakushinda.
Yeye hakuogopa umande ndo maana lugha kwake kama maji. si kakutetea na ujinga wako?
Basi kama kichwa kimejaa makamasi pia kubali yaishe EBO !
Haya basi subiri wakenya wanakuja kukuamisha kwenye nyumba yako
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Kinachonifurahisha humu ni kitu kimoja, huyu jamaa akinadika atiko hata moja, wachache sana wanachigia vya maana.
ReplyDeletewengine wote wale ma the, the, ninihii the nini hii wanakuwa hawana cha kusema zaidi ya majungu.
waosha vinywa na makalio kwa bi mkubwa wanabakia na majungu na maneno makali yasiyokuwa na mahana.
naye pia alikimbia mchakamchaka ndo maana imekubali ndugu zangu. tujaribu kujenga siyo kuboma siku zote.
ikiwa mna maana ya kusema, yaelekezeni kwa Gitau Warigi. Huyu ndiye shujaa wa kitanzania aliyemshambulia warigi bila ya woga.
ibarikiwe Afrika mashaka
mdau wa newala
this is brilliant
ReplyDeletekindly michu post this in Tz newspapers & east africa newspapers
our leaders Tz:Mr president u owe us our lives and devt,,,dont let anything to jeopardy our national stake
waziri u refute that idea of "selling" our land,ID etc dont turn-back we bless u for what u've done its God who lead yu.
ole wao for those who see this as a game to play with,,,
mashaka congrats,,bt we need u to post ur excellent comments on newspapers for all EA pple to read thorough &to see we r not tht stupid anymore
what is ki-inglish bwana???we'l talk with our mother-languages & mashaka n those who speak ki-inglish Tz gonna translate.
TILL END COMES
mithupu,, kusanya maoni yote kisha giniasi wetu mashak atatafsiri kwa chinglishi ili wakenya pia waone machungu tuliyonayo. wanatubabaisha sana utadhani wakija tanzania kila mmoja wetu atakuwa na gari na nyumba ya kifisadi
ReplyDeletekatika huu mjadala wote, MASHAKA ndo amefaidika kuliko watu wote. yeye ndo kashinda
ReplyDeleteAmepata umaarufu kupita mpaka, haya mshikaji wangu ukija kuwa mbunge wa kutarajiwa usinitupe mtu wangu
mashaka ni rafiki yangu sana, tuko naye hapa sauzi
asante sana kuwaonyesha kenya adabu
Jamani kwenye huu mjadala mzima, je nani kashinda? mimi naonelea hivi
ReplyDeleteGitau Waridi ==37%
Jonie Mashaka ==98%
Kwa hiyo wabongo wameshinda. Hakuna muungano wa Afrika mashariki
Tanzania oyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
kaka mithupu, mimi ninatafuta ajira tu.
ReplyDeletenimefanya kazi ya ulinzi sauzi na nimekomoa vibaka wengi sana nikaogopwa sana.
nimekuwa nilinda doria na bunduki kubwa ya AK47, ambayo vibaka waliogopa
sasa kama blaza mashaka anataka baunsa, basi aninunulie ka pisto na suti nyeusi na mawani kama yake alafu mimi nitakamilisha shuguli.
oya blaza mashaka, naomba tutafutane. blaza kyabakali
SWALI:
ReplyDeleteJamani leo kwenye TV ya CNBC alitokea kijana mmoja mweusi aliyeitwa Jon Mashaka.
Ni mweusi hivi na alikuwa akihojiwa kuhusu mambo ya uchumi, je ndiye huyu kwa sababu hawakutaja kama ni mtanzania lakini alikuwa na lafudhi ya kiafrika kwa mbali
Alihojiwa takribani dakika 12 kuhusu maswala ya senate kusaidia GM, Ford na krysler. Michuzi waombe hawa wakikuletea habari waweke picha
Hey guys, first of all, I want to crash this idea of Uniting East Africa,You TZans, you need to be smart, these people kenyans they have got nothing good for Tanzanians, what they need is for their own benefits not for you guys.Haven't you known this kenyans yet? Oh! am sorry for you.The first union was in good purpose of removing their barries of their differences in their country"KENYA&UGANDA" But when Tanzanians were insisting to unite for their own benefits"KENYAS" they did like it. But once they sat and think about it and found that they can gain something from us, therefore, they said okey lets join, and we did.there after you see they grabd "ROBED" all money and airplanes, then Tanzanian remain with nothing and kept crying from that time until today.Our grand fathers they were not paid at all I think you guys have seen the retirees of EAC from TZ are still complaining about their benefits to the government until today.Kenyans are those who broke the union after having got what they needed, finaly thay said we do not need union any more.One thing which you should understand is that, their policy is based on individualism, while we TZ we base on cooperation and working together, So if you join with people like them you should expect that they are coming to take all not even for their own people but for just one or ten % of their whole own people.Look to their country, how many people are living like heaven, just 5 or 10%,and how many people are living in a starving life style, they are more than 90 %.Its just small group of theirs who are insisting this union now for their benefits and for their future.So if that is the case what about for our future we as a TZ? TZ the intelligency you are why are you trying to be put down by illients people like Kenyans?.They have spoilt theirs and now are trying to come to us.when we say like this it is not hate like Mashaka has just said, it is the truth.we love kenyans very much, but this friends ours they have their own agendas.They are not real in everything they say and agree with.Never, DO not JOIN please. WE have cried enough we do not want to cry more than this.Never again.additional, This guy Mashaka does not know anything.you are just giving him compliments for nothing.He attended school in Kenya, so you expect he may be behaving deffinetly like kenyans.Let him continue giving aids to an ophens, that is a good thing of being human, I do not have any problems for that, and I congratulate him for doing that.But for the fact that he lived in kenya for entire of his live, this guy is half kenyans and half TZ, also, am sorry am not trying to be pregidice"MBAGUZI" but it is very important because I see people now are trying to lift him up as if is doing some thing have never being done by anybody, and you will find ending up on giving him a higher position eventually you end up on regreting. For the fact that is a LUO who attended school kenya, not only school but also lived there for the most of his life I do not trust him as if he can be a good leader and fit our TZ cultutres.By saying LUO I do not mean to separate him or being tribelist no, as we know that LUO people have two HOMES if not citizenships. If they go to Kenya they are regarded as kenyans, If they come to TZ they are regarded as TZs, so they are not well understandable who they are. If they go to UGANDA they are Ugandan. So is this guy every day or Mashaka mashaka, what is mashaka. give him compliments for what is doing to help people with needs like food that is fine everybody can do it but let it not be a ticket for him to be mbunge or what.Instead of giving him too much compliments you better be not forgeting to have a sense of MASHAKA as his name,Today kenyans are insisting about union with us, you need to have a sense of MASHAKA about KENYANS. You may surprise that MASHAKA is a seed of Kenyans.What he thinks, he may be thinking like kenyans, not LIke Tanzanians. Because this is another problems of we TZs, once they go just in Kenya there, when they come back they act rude, or if not rude they pretend they know alot better than their fellow country home.Kenyans mentallity is selfish, lifting up themself, infact, they are inmoral.I will not take my children to Kenya at all.
ReplyDeleteMashaka if is good in economics like you guys say oh he is in WAlstreet. What happened now,If he is, what kind of ideas will he give to rise up economy, ninyi watu muwe macho.Hebu kumbukeni wakati wa campeni za Urais marekani Yule mama kwenye debate badala ya kujitetea mwenyewe ikawa kila kitu" Macain maverick maverick, maverick maverick" sasa naye ninyi ndugu zangu Mashaka tangu atoe msaada huo kwa yatima sasa imekuwa kila kitu Mashaka ubunge, ubunge, ubunge, ubunge" Ubunge gani huyo, jamani msichanganye mtu kufanya kazi ya usamalia mwema basi ikawa ndiyo ticket ya ubunge, Jamani ah.Hata Mrema mwaka 1995 anagombea Urais alisema yeye anastahili kuwa Rais wa Tanzania kwa sababu alikamata MADINI ya dhahabu AIRPORT.Watu wakasema jamani sasa kila mtu itabidi ajitahidi kukamata madini Airport ili apate Urais,ikiwa ni kweli kwamba sifa ya mtu kuwa Rais ni kukamata madini Airport.Angalieni wazungu wameleta misaada kwetu Africa, lakini wanatoa wakiwa wana ka lengo fulani pale.Wanaongea na wewe huku wameweka mrija wa kunyonya raslimali zako zoooooote na kupeleka kwao.Kwahiyo kuweni macho jamani msije mkampa kichwa mtu mkampachika nafasi ambazo siyo talanta zake au mkashtukia mmeweka wageni kuwa watawala wenu wakishilikiana na nchi za majirani kukomba mali zetu. FUNGUENI macho na AKILI ahsanteni