President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete.Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, affectionately refered to as JK, is the current President of the United Republic of Tanzania. He was born at Msoga village in Bagamoyo District 60 years ago.
He received his primary education at Msoga Primary School between 1958 and 1961 and his middle school education at Lugoba School from 1962 to 1965. He then moved from Lugoba School to Kibaha Secondary School for O-level education between 1966 to 1969. The following year he joined Tanga Secondary School for advanced level education. Kikwete attended the University of Dar es Salaam from 1972 to 1975, where he earned a degree in Economics.
Kikwete grew up witnessing the exercise of leadership by his grandfather Mrisho Kikwete as a local chief and father as a District Commissioner in colonial Tanganyika and Regional Administrative Secretary and an Ombudsman in post-colonial Tanganyika and the United Republic of Tanzania. He spent part of his childhood moving from one area of country to another as his father was transferred to different outposts. He also spent a better part of his childhood in the village under the guidance of his grandfather. Kikwete became a natural choice for leadership in school and later in the party (TANU and CCM) youth movements.
His leadership talents emerged at early stages in life. He was a student leader both in middle and secondary schools and at the University of Dar es Salaam. He was elected Chairman of the Students Council at Kibaha Secondary School and Deputy Head Prefect at Tanga Secondary School. He became very active in student politics at University. He was eventually elected Vice President of the Dar es Salaam University Students Organisation and de-facto President of the student government at the Main Campus in 1973/74. As a student leader, he spearheaded efforts to fight for student’s rights and welfare. He was in the forefront in bringing about awareness and activism in liberation and anti-apartheid politics in the campus and the University community at large. He represented the Dar es Salaam University students and the students and youths of the African continent in several international conferences. Among such meetings were the International Youth Population Conference in 1974 in Bucharest, Romania.
Graduating with a degree in economics in 1975, he opted for a low-paying job as an executive functionary/officer of the ruling Party (TANU later CCM). This gave him the opportunity to work at the grassroots in rural regions and districts of Tanzania.
Kikwete sharpened his leadership acumen in the military. He first had basic military training at Ruvu National Service Camp (1972) and later underwent a basic officers course at the famous Tanzania Military Academy at Monduli, Arusha, which is Tanzania's top military training institution. On successful completion of the course, he was commissioned as a lieutenant in 1976. He also undertook Company Commander’s Course in 1983 at the same academy. In his military career, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.
Kikwete grew up witnessing the exercise of leadership by his grandfather Mrisho Kikwete as a local chief and father as a District Commissioner in colonial Tanganyika and Regional Administrative Secretary and an Ombudsman in post-colonial Tanganyika and the United Republic of Tanzania. He spent part of his childhood moving from one area of country to another as his father was transferred to different outposts. He also spent a better part of his childhood in the village under the guidance of his grandfather. Kikwete became a natural choice for leadership in school and later in the party (TANU and CCM) youth movements.
His leadership talents emerged at early stages in life. He was a student leader both in middle and secondary schools and at the University of Dar es Salaam. He was elected Chairman of the Students Council at Kibaha Secondary School and Deputy Head Prefect at Tanga Secondary School. He became very active in student politics at University. He was eventually elected Vice President of the Dar es Salaam University Students Organisation and de-facto President of the student government at the Main Campus in 1973/74. As a student leader, he spearheaded efforts to fight for student’s rights and welfare. He was in the forefront in bringing about awareness and activism in liberation and anti-apartheid politics in the campus and the University community at large. He represented the Dar es Salaam University students and the students and youths of the African continent in several international conferences. Among such meetings were the International Youth Population Conference in 1974 in Bucharest, Romania.
Graduating with a degree in economics in 1975, he opted for a low-paying job as an executive functionary/officer of the ruling Party (TANU later CCM). This gave him the opportunity to work at the grassroots in rural regions and districts of Tanzania.
Kikwete sharpened his leadership acumen in the military. He first had basic military training at Ruvu National Service Camp (1972) and later underwent a basic officers course at the famous Tanzania Military Academy at Monduli, Arusha, which is Tanzania's top military training institution. On successful completion of the course, he was commissioned as a lieutenant in 1976. He also undertook Company Commander’s Course in 1983 at the same academy. In his military career, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.
From 1984 to 1986, Kikwete was Chief Political Instructor and Political Commissar at the Military Academy. He retired from the military as a lieutenant-colonel when political pluralism was reintroduced to Tanzania in 1992 when he chose to become a full time politician. Prior to that, he was permitted to be both in the military and political leadership.
In elective Party politics, Kikwete started shining in 1982 when he was overwhelmingly elected by the party (CCM) national congress to be a Member of the National Executive Committee. This is the highest policy and decision-making body of the party. He has won re-elections to the body every five years since then. Also, in 1997, he was elected a member of the party's powerful 31-member Central Committee (CC). He is still a member of the Central Committee since he was re-elected in 2002 for another term of 5 years.
As a party cadre, Kikwete moved from one position to another in the party ranks and from one location to another in the service of the party. When TANU and the Zanzibar's Afro-Shirazi Party (ASP) merged to form CCM in 1977, Kikwete was moved to Zanzibar and assigned the task of setting-up the new party's organisation and administration in the Islands. In 1980, he was moved to the Party's Headquarters as Administrator of the Dar es Salaam Head Office and Head of the Defence and Security Department before moving again up-country to regional and district party offices in Tabora Region (1981-84) and Nachingwea (1986-88) and Masasi District (1988) in the country's southern regions of Lindi and Mtwara respectively.
In elective Party politics, Kikwete started shining in 1982 when he was overwhelmingly elected by the party (CCM) national congress to be a Member of the National Executive Committee. This is the highest policy and decision-making body of the party. He has won re-elections to the body every five years since then. Also, in 1997, he was elected a member of the party's powerful 31-member Central Committee (CC). He is still a member of the Central Committee since he was re-elected in 2002 for another term of 5 years.
As a party cadre, Kikwete moved from one position to another in the party ranks and from one location to another in the service of the party. When TANU and the Zanzibar's Afro-Shirazi Party (ASP) merged to form CCM in 1977, Kikwete was moved to Zanzibar and assigned the task of setting-up the new party's organisation and administration in the Islands. In 1980, he was moved to the Party's Headquarters as Administrator of the Dar es Salaam Head Office and Head of the Defence and Security Department before moving again up-country to regional and district party offices in Tabora Region (1981-84) and Nachingwea (1986-88) and Masasi District (1988) in the country's southern regions of Lindi and Mtwara respectively.
President Kikwete throve in the military and grassroots party political organisation, mobilisation and administration until 1988 when he was appointed to join the Central Government. The then President Ally Hassan Mwinyi appointed him Member of Parliament and, simultaneously, Deputy Minister for Energy and Minerals on November 7, 1988. In 1990 he was promoted to full Minister responsible for the Ministry of Water, Energy and Minerals. Later the same year he successfully contested for a parliamentary seat in his home constituency of Bagamoyo. He was reappointed Minister for Water, Energy and Minerals in the government formed after the elections.
In 1994, at 44, he became one of the youngest Finance Ministers in the history of Tanzania. At the Treasury, he established discipline in public finance management and accountability and, until today, he is still remembered for establishing cash budget system and revamping of revenue collection structures, methods and institutions, including preparations for the formation and eventual establishment of the Tanzania Revenue Authority.
In December 1995, he became Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, being appointed by President Benjamin William Mkapa of the third phase government. He held this post for ten years, until he was elected President of the United Republic of Tanzania in December 2005, hence becoming the country’s longest serving foreign minister.
In 1994, at 44, he became one of the youngest Finance Ministers in the history of Tanzania. At the Treasury, he established discipline in public finance management and accountability and, until today, he is still remembered for establishing cash budget system and revamping of revenue collection structures, methods and institutions, including preparations for the formation and eventual establishment of the Tanzania Revenue Authority.
In December 1995, he became Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, being appointed by President Benjamin William Mkapa of the third phase government. He held this post for ten years, until he was elected President of the United Republic of Tanzania in December 2005, hence becoming the country’s longest serving foreign minister.
During his tenure in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tanzania played a significant role in bringing about peace in the Great Lakes region, particularly in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Kikwete was also deeply involved in the process of rebuilding regional integration in East Africa. Specifically, several times, he was involved in a delicate process of establishing a Customs Union between the three countries of the East Africa Community (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania), where, for quite some time, he was a Chairman of East Africa Community's Council of Ministers.
Introducing candidate Kikwete at a campaign rally in Dar es Salaam on 21 August 2005, former President Mkapa described him as a super-diplomat, in recognition of his role in the search for peace in neighboring Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kikwete also participated in the initiation, and became a Co-Chair, of the Helsinki Process on Globalisation and Democracy.
On May 4th, 2005, Kikwete emerged victorious among 11 CCM members who had sought the party's nomination for Presidential candidacy in the general election. After a 14th December 2005 multiparty general election, he was declared a winner by the Electoral Commission on December 17th, 2005 and was sworn-in as the Fourth President of the United Republic of Tanzania on 21st December 2005.
President Kikwete's governing philosophy and political views are influenced by those of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere whom the President was privileged to be close to. So far Kikwete’s government has received accolades across the country and in the donor community for fighting corruption, investing in people, particularly in education, and push for new investiments.
On May 4th, 2005, Kikwete emerged victorious among 11 CCM members who had sought the party's nomination for Presidential candidacy in the general election. After a 14th December 2005 multiparty general election, he was declared a winner by the Electoral Commission on December 17th, 2005 and was sworn-in as the Fourth President of the United Republic of Tanzania on 21st December 2005.
President Kikwete's governing philosophy and political views are influenced by those of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere whom the President was privileged to be close to. So far Kikwete’s government has received accolades across the country and in the donor community for fighting corruption, investing in people, particularly in education, and push for new investiments.
In the past two years of Kikwete’s presidency, a remarkable 1,500 new secondary schools have been built, and a new 40,000-student science university is being built in Dodoma, central Tanzania. These successes have led the United States government to grant Tanzania US $698 million under the the Millenium Challenge Account assistance program, the UK government US $500 million for education, and the New York based Africa-America Institute (AAI) to award Tanzania the Africa National Achievement Award in September 2007 in New York.
President Kikwete recently launched a national campaign for voluntary HIV/AIDS testing in Dar es Salaam. He and his wife were the first to be tested.
President Kikwete is a keen sportsman having played basketball competitively in school. He has been a patron of the Tanzania Basketball Federation for the past 10 years. He is married to Mama Salma Kikwete, and together they have eight children.
President Kikwete recently launched a national campaign for voluntary HIV/AIDS testing in Dar es Salaam. He and his wife were the first to be tested.
President Kikwete is a keen sportsman having played basketball competitively in school. He has been a patron of the Tanzania Basketball Federation for the past 10 years. He is married to Mama Salma Kikwete, and together they have eight children.
Hepi bethdei Mheshimiwa Rais, ama kwa hakika upeo na uwezo wako unazidi hiyo miaka 60
ReplyDeleteMdau
Abu dhabi
hongera sana ila aliyetuma post hii nimtanzania mwenzetu au maana kulikuwa hakuna sababu ya kuandika kingereza wakati anataka kuwasilisha ujumbe kwa watanzania punguzeni jamaani utumwa tuwe kama wenzetu wanaotumia rugha yao.china japani urusi na kwingineko
ReplyDeleteHapo ndio unaona kwamba ndoto za watu hazianzi ukubwani, ukiangalia hii historia utaona kwamba passion na politics alianza nayo zamani. Hongera rais wetu na Mungu ndio maana amekuinua kwa sababu haukugombania urais k'sababu nyingine yoyote bali mwenyewe unaonekana ulikuwa na huo wito tangu zamani. Sio watu wengine tunaowaona ukubwani wakiwania nafasi wkt mtu huyo huyo ukiangalia historia yake hamna dalili yoyote ya hicho anachokiwania sasa. Inabidi kujua ni nini wito wetu jamani na utajua kwa kuangalia historia yako mwenyewe mambo uliyokuwa unayapenda na kuyafanya tangu utoto, sio kufuata vitu kwa tamaa au kutafuta ucelebrity.
ReplyDeleteOhh my God.. He looks 30, mazoezi ya mara kwa mara na kuishi a balanced lifestyle ni muhimu sana ndugu zangu. Mi nilidhani jamaa bado kijana..
ReplyDeleteTanzania bado inamatumaini makubwa sana na wewe Mr. President and we believe kazi yako unayoifanya sasa italeta matunda makubwa hata kwa vizazi vijazo...uliyoyafanya ni mengi mwenye macho haambiwi tazama.
Nani angewethubutu kuwaburuza hawa mafisadi papa mahakamani?...endeleza ujasiri bila ya kumuogopa mtu regardless ya ukabila wake, dini wala rangi.
Nakutakia maisha marefu JK.
Mitoso.
Mheshimiwa Rais Jakaya Kikwete Ongera sana kwa kutumoza miaka 60,Mungu akuzidishie afya njema na maisha marefu.Watanzania bado tunajivunia kuwa na Rais mwenye Uzalendo na umakini nautawala bora.
ReplyDeletewadau
The Ngoma Africa Band aka FFU
Tunampongeza kiongozi wetu. happy birthday. Ungeniambie nibuni umri wake, ninegdhani 45 hadi 50. Hongera JK..ujuzi wa kazi unao na ukereketwa wa nchi(uzalendo) umeanza enzi za udogo wako. tumpe kura zetu.
ReplyDeleteMdau Uk
Jamani tusaidieni ujumbe huu unaongelea kitu gani? naona humo kuna Tanu, Jeshi, shule za kata, Je ni Ilani ya CCM jinsi mheshimiwa alivyoitekeleza? tunaomba tafsiri yake.
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY MR.PRESIDENT...MUNGU AKUZIDISHIE MAISHA MAREFU NA AFYA NJEMA ILI UZIDI KUTUONGOZA VIZURI WATANZANIA(forget about Slaa to be in that white house),MUNGU AKUPE NGUVU PIA, ILI UZIDI KUPAMBANA NA MAFISADI.
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!AMEEN.
Cha Chandu - Oxford UK.
Nampongeza JK kwa kutimiza miaka 60 na namtakia maisha mema huko mbele ya safari.
ReplyDeleteNimeshtuka kusoma hapa juu kuwa serikali ya JK inafuata mwelekeo wa Mwalimu Nyerere. Kupata fununu kidogo kuhusu suala hilo, soma hapa.
kweli tunashukuru kwa hiyo MIllenium challenge lakini bado wagonjwa kibao vijijini hawana access na madawa inawabidi wasafiri hadi mjini kama Dar kufata Dawa na nauli wengine hawana wanaishia frustrations tu bado lishe bora kwa watanzania wenye maradhi ni ngumu sana kwao kupata sasa hizi pesa zote sijui inakuwaje i just dont get it!
ReplyDeleteHepibbethidei, Mista Presda!
ReplyDeleteHongera sana JK and many Happy returns.
ReplyDeleteAs a Kibaha Alumni member nakutakia heri na fanaka katika maisha yako.
Nimefurahi kusikia ulikuwa Chairman wa Students Coucil miaka yako, na mimi nilikuwa Chairman wa Students Coucil 1975-76, na nakutakia maisha mema.
Student KSS 1971-16
kumbe jk mkubwa hivyo sipati kusema nilikutana nae sikumwamkia nikatia habari za leo hahaha nilimwona mdogo tu kama vile mie ila sasa najua lakini hata yule mwanawe ridhiwani anaonyesha mkubwa kwa babake sijui mwenzetu anakula nini manake anaonyesha mdogo sana na je masalma ana umri gani? 32?
ReplyDeleteJamaa amewatwanga mafisadi huku anacheka.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Mr President.
ReplyDeleteMwenyezi Mungu aendelee kukubariki.
Happy B-Day Mr. president, I love this man, we share the same month
ReplyDeleteb-day, sasa narudi bongo akishinda
, tanzania now is the best of African countries becauce of this man, Love him.
US Bloger
Ametumikia muda mrefu astaafu - miaka 60 ni muda wa kustaafu serikalini! Michuzi utabana hii - wacha kuzima maoni usiyoyapenda. Grow up!
ReplyDeletehongera kwa kufisha miaka hiyo,ukifanikiwa kuingia madarakani ibadirishe hiyo ccm kwani haipo kumsaidia mwanaichi wa kawaida sijui kama unajua harafu historia itakuja kuhukumu kizazi chako marafiki wengi ulionao ni wale wa roundabout friends
ReplyDeletePongezi Mheshimiwa JK, May the Loving God protect you everyday and everywhere under His Loving care. Amen. Onesmo M.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to you Ndugu Jakaya!!!
ReplyDeleteTunakuombea kila la heri JK. Kalinga family Kihesa Iringa.
ReplyDeleteHe is an oldmanchild.
ReplyDeleteDuh kumbe kibabu hiki! si nilisikia kiongozi kijana huyu,inamaana Tz kutawala ni kawaida ni Miaka 72 ndio uwe rais,?
ReplyDeleteNakutakia afya njema, umri mrefu wenye baraka za m/mungu na uendelee kuishi hadi baada ya miaka 100 ukiwa na afya, nguvu kama sasa na uchamungu.
ReplyDeleteBaada ya kutoa pongezi za kutimiza miaka 60 ya kuzaliwa ambayo ni ustaarabu kwa watu tuliostaarabika, napenda kuongelea kuhusu suala la Millenium Challenge.
ReplyDeleteSi kweli kwamba ni JK ndiye aliyewezesha Tanzania kupata fedha toka Marekani za Millenium Challenge. Mafanikio makubwa ya kiuchumi na urekebishaji wa macro-economic endicators yalifikiwa chini ya uongozi wa Rais Ben Mkapa ambaye watu wengi siku hizi tunambeza. Mkapa alikuta nchi ipo hoi kiuchumi baada ya Mwinyi kuharibu kabisa misingi ya kiuchumi na kuachia mfumuko wa bei kufikia well above 15%. Mkapa alipoingia, makusanyo ya kodi yaliongezeka from 20billion to 60 billion katika mwaka wa kwanza na mfumuko wa bei ulishushwa to below 10% in his first 5 years.Pia Mkapa alikazania sana kulipa madeni na hivyo kupelekea nchi wahisani/wanaotudai kutusamehe kiasi kikubwa sana cha madeni yetu na pia kuwezesha Tanzania kupata mikopo mingine zaidi. Kwa mafanikio hayo, ndipo Tanzania iliweza qualify kupata hizo fedha za millenium challenge, kipindi hicho rais Bush akiwa ndiyo 'stelingi' wa White House. Lakini upatikanaji wa hiyo mifedha ilihitaji kuidhinishwa na bunge a Marekani na mijadala yao hawa jamaa huchukuwa muda mrefu si kama hapa kwetu bongo ambapo wabunge wetu kupitisha vitu bila hata kuvisoma. Hiyo fedha ya Millenium challenge ilipoidhinishwa, Mkapa tayari alikuwa ameachia ngazi na rais alikuwa tena ni Kikwete. Kwa hiyo kama Mkapa angemuachia urais, kwa mfano Mzee Malecela, isingekuwa sahihi kwa watu kusema Malecela ndiye aliyesababisha tukapata hizo fedha za Millenium Challenge. KWa hiyo si sahihi na ni makosa sana kumpa sifa Kikwete, kwa Tanzania kushinda hizo fedha za MC. Inabidi watu wafahamu kwamba ingawa Kikwete ni rais wa Tanzania kwa sasa, uwezo wake kiuongozi ni mdogo sana ndiyo maana nchi inamshinda katika kila nyanja.
bollox
ReplyDeleteUmeona mengi ya TZ!
ReplyDeleteUzidi kuona mengi!
It isn't over; till it's over?
Ubarikiwe sana rais wetu na tunakutakia maisha marefu yenye baraka
ReplyDeleteSlaa 70, Ndesamburo 75 jumla 145
ReplyDeleteGod bless you Uncle JK.
ReplyDeleteMdau anon wa 04:03:00 AM, Umenichekesha sana kwa kunikumbusha kuwa slaa na ndesamburo wana combined age ya miaka 145! That's what I call "the octagenarian duo".
ReplyDeleteNa mimi naomba kuku-wish (kwa lugha ya Ankal) hepi besdei Ndugu JK. God bless.
ReplyDelete