“Museveni abhorring Impunity! Phew!” ‏by Nkwazi Mhango

I will be shocked if the legal fraternity in Kenya and East Africa in general won’t react towards recent salvos leveled by Ugandan Strong man Yoweri Museveni. I still wonder how Museveni talks about legal matters without consulting with his lawyers if he happens to use them.

Museveni’s recent attacks on the International Criminal Court (ICC) must be condemned. During the swearing-in of Kenya’s new president Uhuru Kenyatta, Museveni was quoted as saying, “I want to salute the Kenyan voters on…the rejection of the blackmail by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and those who seek to abuse this institution for their own agenda.”

True, first of all, Museveni’s misguided remarks amount to the contempt of the court. Museveni must thank the Lord that ICC does not deal with criminal matters such as contempt of the court. Otherwise he would have been in big trouble.

Importantly, looking at how Museveni undermined the ICC and Kenyan voters, chances are that he does not respect courts in Uganda. Ironically, if we allow ourselves to become cheap and controversial to think like Museveni, we’ll end up erroneously saying that even Joseph Kony is not a criminal.

Secondly, it makes no sense for a person of Museveni’s caliber to jabber such utterances. How can you salute Kenyans for voting for indictees? Logically, Kenyans did not vote for Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto based on being indictees, but Kenyans whom they thought would govern their country. So too, Kenyan elections were not about rejecting or endorsing ICC. They were about getting a new leadership after the one that was in power lapsed its constitutional term in office. Simple.

I don’t know how the victims of Post-Election Violence felt when they heard Museveni’s remarks. So too, I can’t get it as to why Museveni ignored the plights of PEV’s victims who have never been redressed.

What I abhor is the fact that Museveni attacked ICC pointlessly. Why doesn’t Museveni want to accept the fact that ICC has nary been an ambulance chaser? Whatever issue that is brought before ICC is brought by the way of application from individuals or countries looking for legal settlement. This is what happened regarding Kenya’s ICC case. Kenya went before the ICC seeking its intervention in trying PEV. What is wrong here? Why didn’t Museveni wait for ICC to reach its verdict and say whatever he wants to? Does Museveni think his political statements will help the indictees? Do they need his backing?

It seems that Museveni has sipped a lot from the cup of power so as to think he is above all laws on earth. What a miscalculation! Is Museveni saying what he is saying just because Congolese authorities did not present his case of killing, raping, plundering, torturing innocent people and invading in DRC? It is still early Mr. Museveni. Even Charles Taylor once daydreamed that his crimes would not be brought before light.

What provokes is the fact that Museveni, whose long time autocratic rule has always been associated with corruption, impunity, repression and disregards of human rights. He was quoted as saying, “I was one of those that supported the ICC because I abhor impunity.” Mr. Museveni, try to be serious and sincere. If Museveni says he abhors impunity, why then his consigliore were implicated in multi-million scandals and he nary brought them to book?

To prove how corrupt Museveni is, it came to light recently that his inner circle siphoned millions of dollars donor money. This forced donors to demand to be reimbursed. And to prove the point, Museveni’s government broke into public coffers and paid back the monies as the means of protecting his courtiers and friends involved in this scandal.

Such move was confirmed by the deputy secretary of Treasury Keith Muhanikizi who was quoted as saying, “I am confirming that we have paid the Irish [and] we shall pay the others (donors) who want their money back,” he said, adding: “We are making a lot of progress on that front.” If Museveni ‘abhors’ impunity as he’d like everybody to believe, why did he pay the monies back by even committing another crime of breaking into the treasury, instead of letting judicial process address the issue? Is this the way Museveni abhors impunity by blessing it?

Media in Uganda reported of massive theft involving donors’ money. It is said that at least Shs60 billion ($22.2 million) meant for recovery and development activities in northern Uganda and Karamoja was likely swindled, infuriating donors who, in a meeting with President Museveni, demanded for a refund of their stolen cash.

Regarding Museveni’s remarks on ICC in conjunction with Kenya’s elections, the indictees are still presumed innocent until the court rules otherwise. So too, Kenyans know what is going on. They don’t need any tutor to teach them what it is. I therefore would argue all those who wrongly think like Museveni to respect the ICC and the intelligence of Kenyans.

In sum, Kenyans did not vote along the lines of who is indicted or not, but they voted for those they wanted, believing they would stir and man their nation. Saying that Kenyans voted for Kenyatta and Ruto simply because they’re indicted is to belittle them so to speak. This should not be accepted.

Nkwazi Mhango is a Tanzanian living in Canada. He writes regularly for “The African Executive” and also has a blog entitled “Free Thinking Unabii”. He is a regular contributor to AfroSpear.

Julie Wangombe: A poetic reintroduction to Africa

Julie Wangombe, 23 years old Nairobian and a student at Duke University, first discovered spoken word poetry at Slam Africa events. Today she performs for audiences globally. She is also Kenya’s President-elect, Uhuru Kenyatta’s speechwriter. She wrote his acceptance speech that he delivered on 09 March 2013, soon after being declared the winner of the presidential election. The speech has received praise from many Kenyans, who have described it as inspiring and unifying. You can read the speech here.

“Why is MRC taking Kenya back to colonial past?” by Nkwazi Mhango

Although there have been much brouhahas and rumpus from Mombasa Republic Council (MRC), agitating for cessation from Kenya, the truth is what MRC is trying to do is treason. For nobody can declare a republic within a republic and fall short of committing treason. Therefore, legally speaking, MRC needs to be told to its face that what it is trying to do is treason and it is heavily punishable under any law of any land. This does not need to consult philosophies, philosophers and gurus in law. Thus, “Pwani si Kenya” or “Coastal is not Kenya”, suffices to land people in big troubles. If Coastal is not Kenya, what is it?

History is a good witness even though history repeats itself as it is this case, it does not favour MRC. MRC is not the first to try this even in Kenya itself. There were uprisings in Kenya which was known as Shifta Uprising in 1963-1967, in the then National Frontier District, whereby ethnic Somalis wanted to secede from Kenya. Despite its infancy then, the government of Kenya did not allow such a sacrilegious thing to happen.

Outside Kenya, Africa has witnessed such claims of seceding. Good news is that all secessionist groups ended up being thwarted except South Sudan and Eritrea whose cases are quite different from MRC’s. Even more so, after Shifta Uprising, Biafra secessionist movement under Chuku Emeka Ojukwu followed. It had the same slogan of the Republic of Biafra. This movement lived for a while before the government of Nigeria descended on it. Likewise, Cassamance in Senegal tried the same to no avail. Movement of Democratic Force of Cassamance (MDFC), just like Biafra and now MRC came with the same idea. Again, the government of Senegal did not fail to thwart and neutralize it. This is what Kenya should do with MRC if they cling unto their treasonous demands.

Verily, there can nary be Kenya without even an inch of Coastal or any province. More so Coastal Province cannot exist outside Kenya. Surprisingly though is the way Kenyan authorities are dealing with this treason. If they can revisit the law of the country, they will find that the only thing they can do with MRC is to charge its ringleaders forthwith. In essence, what is going on in Kenya reminds me what happened in Britain when King Charles I was beheaded for treason. If the king was beheaded, who are these roundheads and their retinues behind MRC? Charles said these words before his death, “For I do avow that it is as great a sin to withstand (he means resist) lawful authority as it is to submit to a tyrannical or any otherwise unlawful authority.”

Let’s look at what is giving MRC a big head. They are saying that Mombasa was not part of Kenya before independence. Well and good, Mombasa, just like Lamu, Malindi, Mogadishu, Pate, Pemba, Kilwa Sofala and Zanzibar were city states. This being the reality, it must be stated and understood that there was no the so-called Pwani, as we know it today under which MRC is basing its legitimacy. If we can follow this line of thinking, we can say that the Pwani, MRC is agitating for, surely does not exist outside Kenya. Pwani as a province was formed by the government of Kenya. If they use colonial legacy asserting that the City State of Mombasa was independent, it was not. For it was under the sultan of Zanzibar. Again, for the sake of enjoying what MRC wants and aspires to enjoy, Lamu and Malindi will claim the same in the near future. This is to say, suppose just suppose MRC succeeds, it should know that this is not the end of the game. After they are done with Kenya, they will turn to other people saying you are a Mkamba or Jaluo or whatnot. After that they will go for other people saying you are from Taveta, which is far from the Coast and what not.

Astonishingly, MRC does not get it that Kenya has had more than enough on its table. There is war against Al Shabaab and elections next year, not to mention the burden of Post Election Violence and ever surging tribalism. All these undertakings need a lot of money. Why doesn’t MRC see this? Does it think it can use this weakness to weaken Kenya? Of all said undertakings, Kenya can abort all of them to see to it that nobody is breaking the nation. If MRC wrongly thinks that Kenya will go bankrupt therefore give away its sovereign shall it flex its muscles, this is next to none.

If I could advice president Mwai Kibaki and MRC, I would strongly advise them to embark on legal procedures for MRC and upholding the constitution for Kibaki. What does Kenya’s new constitution stipulate about treason and secession? Let us use our reason well. The logic is simple. United we stand and divided we fall.

Although Kenyan authorities have been lenient, lax and polite enough to even think about holding talks with MRC, before this is done, MRC must recant its slogan of “Pwani si Kenya” and other injurious rhetorics. Failure to do this, MRC is facing a very bad start. Even though Kenya has more democratic rights than the then Jomo Kenyatta regime when it was faced with Shifta, still the government has the responsibility of keeping Kenya united, intact and one. This is the venue and sacred responsibility of any government. Therefore, existing democratic rights Kenyans enjoy in the New Constitution must be invoked through MRC filing its complaints to the court. This is the only and the surest way of addressing MRC’s grievances. Again, MRC must exist legally by being registered under the law of the land. Thus, up to this point, MRC is operating illegally and this is detrimental to its status and demands. Suffices to say: “Ya kale hayanuki.”

Why is MRC taking Kenya back to colonial past?

Nkwazi Mhango is a Tanzanian living in Canada. He writes regularly for “The African Executive” and also has a blog entitled “Free Thinking Unabii”. He is a regular contributor to AfroSpear.

“Why Kenya’s doing Bashir’s laundry?” by Nkwazi Mhango‏

Wrangles evidenced recently between Kenyan Judiciary and the executive over the ruling that Sudanese strong man, Omar Bashir, be apprehended shall he visit Kenya, left many analysts flabbergasted. One judge, Ncholas Ombija, made a historical ruling when ordered the Minister for Internal Security to see to it that when Bashir sets foot on Kenyan soil, he be apprehended and handed over to The Hague to face the music. We used to read about such rulings made by European judges, famous ones being those that were made by Spanish Judge Fernando Andreu, and French judge Jean-Louis Bruguière, who in April 2008 and November 2006 respectively, indicted Rwandan President, Paul Kagame. When these two justices indicted Kagame, many people wrongly thought that this was a venue for only European judges. Now that Ombija has open Pandora’s Box for our bigwigs, who will be safe?

More on Kenyan justice, this historical ruling did not augur well with the executive. When cornered the vulture cries wolf. Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs was quotes as saying that the government would not abide by the ruling of its own court. What a dangerous stance? The Minister went on saying that Kenya will abide by the position that was taken by AU opposing the indictment of Bashir. How can a free country endanger its freedom for the sake of an individual who is not its citizen? Legally and logically, the constitution of Kenya is above that of AU. Whatever Kenyans do, Kenya comes first. Even if we look at two international instruments playing in this fracas, why is Kenya upholding AU’s non-binding decision whilst it violates Roma Statutes that Kenya signed voluntarily? Why is it that Kenya wants to abuse its own new constitution before even it marks a year? Why doesn’t Kenya do like Uganda that distanced itself when Bashir was invited to a conference in Kampala. Uganda successfully avoided unnecessary legal and political wrangling.

Again, Kenya is a member of East African Community. Doesn’t it see that by doing what one of its counterparts avoided, it is offending the same counterpart? It is shocking and sad that the Minister does not get it that AU has lost its legitimacy so as to support illegitimate regimes, even when they have committed atrocities against their people as it is the case with Bashir. Many were shocked to hear such law-breaking and self-inculpatory words coming from the Minister. To add insult to injury, thereafter, the Minister for Foreign Affairs was dispatched to Khartoum to mend fences. If anything, though the government in Nairobi is still flexing its muscles, the dent… deep and humongous one… has already been made. Will it be wise for the government that came to power after vanguishing dictatorship to taint its image in the defence of a dictator just the same as the one it toppled? Isn’t this high order hypocrisy?

Will Kibaki uphold the constitution and serve the Kenyans that voted for him or trumple over it and serve Sudanese strong man, and for what reasons and gains? Chances are that the executive is waging a losing battle for its peril thanks to the fact that the justice made his decision based on the provisions of the new constitution. Therefore, whoever advises Kibaki should be wise to underscore the fact that, under the new constitution, nobody is above the law. If the executive is still thinking by using the past-frozen brain when the president was above the law and the executive above judiciary, needs to be told that things have long changed. Although Kibaki spoiled the party at the promulgation of new constitution by inviting Bashir, why should he add more salt to injuries? By then thanks to the euphoria Kenyans were in, he got away with it. Will he get away with it once again? The answer is nope. Logically, it doesn’t add up even make sense for Kibaki to dent his image siding with a stinking dictator indicted for committing genocide against his own peole. What transpired in 2008 seems to have not given a lesson to Kibaki and all those that think that they can take the hoi polloi for a ride.

Moreover, chief justice Dr. Willy Mutunga has already weighed in very heavily and categorically so to speak. Responding to rants that the executive were not thinking about complying with the ruling, Mutunga was quoted as thus: “The Judiciary and its officers shall not be intimidated to bend the law”. To make his message clear, Mutunga added that Kenya must choose between anarchy and the rule of the law. Suppose the executive stick on their guns, will the judiciary allow itself to be cowered or stiff its neck and therefore create a crisis especially at this time Kenya is at war with al-Shabaab? What is the right thing to do under such circumstances?

In essence, Kenya has nothing to lose by dumping Bashir. We all know that Kenya is a major economc and political player in South Sudan. Shall it keep on thinking it can serve two masters namely Bashir and South Sudan? It should not wonder when South Sudan decided to part ways with it. For the French sage has it that “les amis des mes sont mes amis”, namely the friends of my friends are my friends. What of the enemies of my friends? They are obvious my enemies.

In sum, let us face it: will the Kenyan executive seal ignore the truth and go on defending Bashir by violating its own constitution? What precedent does the executive make in the first place? What legacy is Kibaki making? It time to warn Kenya that doing Bashir’s laundry will leave it messy and stinky.

Nkwazi Mhango is a Tanzanian living in Canada. He writes regularly for “The African Executive” and also has a blog entitled “Free Thinking Unabii”. He is a regular contributor to AfroSpear.

“The day Kenya was born” by Nkwazi Mhango

No doubt. The overwhelmingly passing of the new constitution in Kenya can be termed as the rebirth of a new true Kenya that had nary existed. This, if anything, I believe, will bury the demons of tribalism, self seeking, land grabbing, dictatorship, corruption, irresponsibility and unaccountability that marred the history of Kenya.

Now that the new constitution has been promulgated, it remains to be seen when it comes to putting it to exercise. Kenya I used to know before the new one was but a loose amalgamation of tribes and other groups of interests, but not a nation though Kenyans used to believe they were a nation whilst they actually were not.

In totality, there has nary been a nation of Kenya but a country of Kenya. This needs the whole article to discuss. I, thus, will hang it hither and soldier on with the birth of the new constitution that surely will make a Kenyan nation for the first time in history.

The new constitution is not only an impetus for development and prosperity of Kenya but also the precedent for other nations in the region even in the continent. By attaining this very milestone, Kenyans, for yet another time, have led the world to a new world order based on mature and true democracy. I comfortably believe that other east African countries that are under the yoke of one-man- or one-party abracadabra such as Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, will borrow a leaf from Kenyans. It is time for kicking old constitutions out. They’re and they have nary been ours at all. Most of them were made in Lancaster house as proxy means of elongating British colonial rule. These constitutions created vampires that have exploited our countries to the bone. We need home-made-and- grown and progressive constitutions such as those of Kenya and South Africa.

I once noted that whilst some Kenyans, especially the “NO” camp and the clergy, were hoodwinking the majority that the new constitution was hogwash allowing abortion. In other countries in the region, their constitutions are nothing but a writ of a cabal of mediocre swindlers that can tamper with them when they deem fit. Now that the new dawn’s unfold and verily it is hither with us, let us forget our differences and build a new nation steered by our views and wishes. That a new baby is born, let us stand together to see to it that the light is shinning in its life as well as ours. Let us reconcile the country and forge ahead.

Against all odds, that Kenyans have raised to the occasion, we need to congratulate them on this leap forward as we borrow a leaf from them. I understand. Kenya has been the country in big crises thanks to be manned by thieves, killers and tyrants that were empowered by archaic constitution. Refer to the grisly killings that occurred soon after disputed 2007 elections and being under one tyrant for over two decades. I, so too, understand that Kenyans lost a lot of their rights, such as true freedom to economic well-being, land, peace, security, democracy and what not. Many Kenyans were killed and tortured under the former constitutions and their rights were pushed under the carpet. Refer to the assassination of Tom Mboya, Josiah Mwangi Kariuki, Robert Ouko and many more others. Refer to the infamous Nyayo house sacrilege that left many Kenyans dead or tortured.

By ushering the new constitution in, I am sure, the buried cases of grave violation of human rights will be unearthed and being dealt with accordingly, so as to give a reprieve and redress to the families of those that were butchered or in anyway affected by blood dripping former regimes. I am sure too. The land that was grabbed since Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel Moi and their cronies will be retaken and be redistributed the landless Kenyans. What’s more, vampiric corruption scandals such as Goldenberg, Anglo-Leasing and others will be dealt with transparently and accordingly. More so, those who authored post-elections killings will now be urgently dispatched to The Hague, so that another precedent can be set where Kenya leads others.

Though there won’t be a quick fix of the rust Kenya has gone through for decades, it is upon Kenyans to patiently and united start to put the whole goodies in the new constitution in practice. Moreover, the Kenyan referendum was regarded as something normal, it was not. It is only South Africa that once attempted and successfully did this. Other African countries are still in slumber. Tanzanians, just on the next door, need a new constitution so badly that they can recapture their mojo. Ugandans, just like Rwandans, are in dire need of the same. The constitutions of the mentioned countries are just mere documents that thievish rulers can manipulate as they deem fit, at any time they deem fit, for their personal gains.

Kenyans have created a constitution that frees them from all evils of the past as it guides them to the future. Shall this being emulated by other countries in the region, even the union of the region will be easier and possible to attain even tomorrow.

I must call upon the citizenry of the countries in the region to start agitating for new constitutions. They should fear nothing when it comes to repression. No ruler can now resort in archaic means of beating protesters thanks to the fear of being delivered to The Hague. This being the year of elections in Rwanda and Tanzania, the people there should get prepared to refuse to accept cooked results resulting from the charade known as elections. We have already seen how  the just ended Rwandan elections were marred by killings and detention of opposition leaders and journalists. This proves beyond doubts that the said elections was not be free and fair by all standards. The era of one-party-cum-one-man show is over.

In Tanzania, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) just like the National Resistance Movement (NRM) In Uganda, has always manipulated elections thanks to appointing a kitchen Electoral Commission. These three countries mentioned above need to have Independent Interim Electoral Commissions (IIECs) in place to facilitate the transition. On this, Kenya can offer expertise thanks to her experience.

To cut the story short, it should be noted and appreciated that what Kenyans voted for is actually not only their constitution but also ours in the region. For the precedent they set is second to none. Importantly, we must face this challenge and vote ourselves out of tyranny be it of one party of one man. Bravo Kenyans once again for showing and leading the way.

The worst thing that tarnished the promulgation of the new constitution is the presence of Sudanese killer- Omar Bashir. This indeed, either by mistakes or calculations, showed  Kenyan rulers  as improbable. Now this being the case, will they deliver the suspects of post-election killings to The Hague as they are required by the law? This is another tough home work for ICC and UN.

Nkwazi Mhango is a Tanzanian living in Canada. He writes regularly for “The African Executive” and also has a blog entitled “Free Thinking Unabii”. He is a regular contributor to AfroSpear.

Wangari Maathai, What A Warrior Looks Like Pt1

Do you ever think of a woman when you hear the word “warrior”? We usually think of those great men of history, such as Martin Luther King, Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela, Chiekh Anta Diop, or the great kings and princes of ancient Egypt, or even the Mau Mau or Zulu or Black Panthers. But does a woman ever come to your mind?

Whether or not you answered yes to the above question, let’s consider now a great black woman warrior. Not so much a black queen as we understand that designation, because generally speaking, the term is slightly watered down. But a true warrior woman! Does she exist? Yes she does. Well what does she look like? What makes her a warrior? How does she behave? Is she similar to a male warrior? She’s fierce, focused, intelligent, brave and determined. She’s similar to warrior men in that she’s strategic, she knows how to best her opponents. But in other aspects she’s different, because she has to use her intelligence being that she doesnt have the physical strength to battle, generally speaking. She’s usually fighting against men in power for things that would truly benefit all but the men dont see it as such, yet. Yet she is no less valorous.  

Wangari Maathai is just such a warrior woman. She was born in Kenya and her parents are farmers. They followed a traditional life and were hard workers. She was taught at her mother’s knee to love and respect nature. Wangari was a keenly intelligent and inquisitive child and excelled in school. She was taught by Catholic nuns, and her brilliance shone through. Upon the completion of her schooling, she was chosen by Pan Africanist Tom Mboya to be a part of an education program he initiated along with then Senator John F Kennedy. The best and brightest Kenyan students were chosen and sent to America for college educations.

Barack Obama Senior, was also among this brilliant group of Kenyan students who started their American college careers in the Fall of 1960. 

Wangari Maathai landed in America in the midst of the Civil Rights movement and was deeply affected by the fight being waged by African Americans at that time. She was also shocked at her ignorance of what was truly going on in North America concerning the civil rights of black people. A seed for political protest was sown in her heart. She completed her education and left America and headed back home to Kenya with both a Bachelor’s of Arts and Masters Degree in Anatomy. 

She returned to Kenya and earned a PhD in Anatomy at the University of Nairobi and remained on the faculty to reach the level of Assistant Professor, and Chair of Veterinary Medicine. Her climb up the ladder of success showed her the inequality of women at the University and she started to campaign for woman’s rights in that setting.

At this time Wangari met and married politician Mwangi Mathai, who was another of the brilliant students of Tom Mboya’s education program. They married and had three children. Mwangi Mathai was a politician and campaigned to gain a seat in the Parliament which he won. His campaign was based on jobs for the people of Kenya to stem the tide of rising unemployement.

 End of part 1.

Wangari Maathai, What a Warrior Looks Like pt2

Wangari Maathai became very involved in politics, joining the boards of a number of organizations such as the National Council of Women of Kenya. She became the director of the Kenyan Red Cross Society and was a member of the Kenya Association of University Women. In addition she was also a member of the Environment Liason Center which worked closely with the United Nations Environment Program. Through her work with all of these organizations, she was able to determine that the problems of the people, especially the women, was one of deforestation and land erosion.

Her husband, Mwangi Mathai held a seat on the Parliament and campaigned under the promise of finding more jobs for Kenyans who were the victims of growing unemployment. Wangari connected her idea of environment restoration to creating jobs, and created Envirocare Ltd., which paid ordinary citizens to plant trees. Envirocare Ltd. eventually failed because of lack of funds, but through her conversations about her work, the United Nations Environmental Program made it possible to send her to the UN conference on human settlements, known as Habitat I. 

She returned and spoke to the National Council of Women of Kenya, proposing to continue to plant trees and they supported her. On June 7, 1977, marking World Environment Day the NCWK walked in procession from downtown Nairobi to Kamukunji Park and planted 7 trees in honor of community leaders. This was the beginning of the “Greenbelt Movement”

But all was not well.  Wangari’s marriage broke apart. Her husband accused her of cheating with a member of the Parliament and he later stated that she was just too educated and too strong minded for a woman and  too hard to control. In addition the government was trying to limit the amount of influence of civic organizations such as the NCWK, which Wangari was running to become the chair of at the time. There was a lot of politricks going on, and though Wangari did win eventually, the organization’s funding was cut. They survived by focusing on the environment and she stayed on as chair until 1987.

The Greenbelt Movement was started in earnest when Wilhelm Elsrud, executive director of the Norwegian Forestry Society was interested in partnering with the Greenbelt Movement.  He arranged for the movement to receive “seed money” and Wangari put forth all of her efforts, hiring a small staff and paying a small stipend to the tree planters. She organized seminars and presentations and escorted delegates to see the work of the Greenbelt Movement. Forty five delegates from 15 African nations came to see the work model so they could implement it in their respective countries. Greenbelt became well organized and well known.

Wangari used the movement to push for democracy. Many were already in the streets protesting against Arap Moi’s government. Wangari was in the mix with the Greenbelt Movement and the government came down hard on her, doing what they could to discredit her. It all came to a boiling point when she heard her name was on a list of people marked for assassination. In fear, she barricaded herself in her own home and was beseiged by the police for three days until they cut the bars and arrested her. When she was freed, she initiated a hunger strike in Uhuru Park for the release of other political prisoners. The police again came for them, knocking Wangari unconscious in the process of her arrest. She was arrested many more times because of the work she was doing. There was so much going on, and now worldwide attention was on Kenya.

As in previous times she ran again for a seat in the Parliament under the National Rainbow Coalition and through much struggle, she finally won as the Coalition was able to break the government of ArapMoi.  She was appointed to Assitant Minister of the Ministry for Environment and National Resources in 2002, and served until 2005.

In 2004, Wangari was selected to receive the Nobel Peace Prize as the culmination of all the work and the struggle she endured for the sake of the Kenyan environment and for Kenyan women and by extension, for peace. Very fitting for such a hard working lover of her people.

So again, what does a warrior woman look like? She looks like a giant among women and men! She inspires us with her determination, focus, intelligence and sheer bravery! To Mama Wangari Maathai, a beautiful black woman warrior!

“Obama’s love for Tanzania in lieu of Kenya is goof up” ‏by Nkwazi N. Mhango

By booting Kenya down and preferring Tanzania, the US proved to be as goofy as divorcing a gator to end up in bed with a croc! This is the second time the US has slammed a door on Kenya. It’s sad that even Tanzania imbibed this scornful humiliation as a big deal. But by avoiding Kenya is the world leader helping it to solve its problems?

To add insult to injury, the US denied visas to some Kenyan top corrupt official as it turned a blind eye to Tanzania’s same bêtes noix. Tanzania was elated to step in. Sadly, it’s become a norm for African rulers to depend on rich countries to prove their “manhood and worthiness”. Had it not been for their malady of sitting on their heads, African rulers do not need such cheap exculpation.

Tanzania recently shone at the 64th General assembly session. Thanks to this serendipity, its president Jakaya Kikwete, was seen happily doing things that were expected of Kenya’s PM Raila Odinga, thanks to what observers termed as US’s punishment to corrupt Kenyan current regime under Mwai Kibaki. What’s more, what’s the rationale in this if Tanzania is filthier than Kenya? This take shocked and dismayed many that know how corrupt Tanzania currently is. For those in the know, comparably, Kenya is even better than Tanzania. Thanks to its vibrant economy.

This turn was visibly seen on PM Oginga’s impromptu removal from the list of dignitaries that were to attend luncheon with US president Barrack Obama. As per the media, Kikwete was asked by Obama to initiate discussion at this luncheon, the chance that was thought would be taken by Kenya . In his reciprocation, Machiavellian Kikwete showered the US with praises for its generosity thanks to Tanzania being the recipient of a five-year development package of $ 700 million, through the “Millennium Challenge” programme.  But this huge sum of money did nothing substantially. Refer to Tanzania ’s poor performance economically and developmentally. Its MDG performance is spooky and poor altogether. The government of Tanzania is currently laden with scandals involving millions of dollars.

Kikwete scored higher especially when he reiterated Tanzania ’s commitment to peace in Africa, thanks to sending peacekeeping troops Darfur. The irony though is, the same supports Sudanese dictator Omar Hassan el Bashir in his useless attempts to avert being submitted to The Hague to answer chargers related with crimes against humanity he committed in Darfur! 

Recently the media in Tanzania published the report by the National Statistic Bureau (NSB) showing that under Kikwete, the nation is in economic hardship thanks to inflation hitting at 12.1 compared to single digit under former President Benjamin Mkapa, who’s currently facing many scandal allegations including his inner sanctum and relations. However, this contradicts the prediction and projection by the London-based Economist magazine which ranked it the ninth-fastest growing economy behind China but ahead of India this year. Yet still there are many doubts. How can the regime with fiscal indiscipline and nose-length policy enhance this growth?

Despite this rosy picture, I dare say, corruption is hugely surging compared to Mkapa’s era, in spite of siring the currently surfacing scandals. What tarnishes Tanzania ’s image even a lot more is the fact that most of the scandals already reported involve top officials of the current regime… Kikwete included. And this has made it harder for him to take on corruption or keep tabs on his friends and accomplices save for a few make-believe cases dragging legs before the court. This latency gave Kikwete a name of “Msanii” or “a liar” or “a conman”. So this second-hand recognition is a big boost for embattled Kikwete come next elections. Pro-government media are now awash with photos showing him with various American top dogs.

We all know Kenya’s image was tarnished by post-poll, rumpus-cum-bloodbath, that culminated in tribal crashes that left many innocent Kenyans dead.  But looking at the same, Tanzania can not escape. Currently, albinos are killed indiscriminately and the government does not arrest this accordingly. In Pemba, many people are brutalized and their properties vandalized by government agents thanks to their opposition to a doctored voter’s registry.

By and large, what tantalizes even more is the fact that the US did urge Kenya to sack its Chief Justice Evans Gicheru and Attorney General Amos Wako, whilst Tanzania has a more corrupt AG, Johnson Mwanyika and head of the anti-corruption body: Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB), Edward Hosea. The duo is alleged to have benefitted from British connected radar and presidential jet scandals among others.

Whilst Kenyan president Mwai Kibaki is openly known to have stolen his presidency, Kikwete as well, faces the same thanks to robbing the Central Bank under External Payment arrears Account (EPA), to raise money for bribing voters who ultimately voted for him thanks to this inducement.

Generally speaking, there’s no clean government in the duo. Kibaki sheathed his predecessor just like Kikwete is doing. The difference is Daniel arap Moi caused much deeper hole on Kenya ’s economy than Mkapa did to Tanzania’s. But in principle, corruption is corruption. It robs the common man and woman their rights to wellbeing and development.

Regarding the projection by the Economist magazine, this is a hoax rich countries use to fool poor countries. The World Bank used to do this during the cold war. When things turned out to be different, it used to blame failure on poor countries. Refer to many economic adjustments and structural what not that did not bear any fruits.

All in all, US’s shying away from Kenya and preferring Tanzania in lieu, is but a goofy and vexatious step. The good thing is this time, Kenya did not complain but soldiered on.

Though all was well for Kikwete, I don’t know how he took the words of President Obama when he urged African rulers to stamp corruption out so as to attract sound investment. Though Tanzania can superficially be seen as a hub for international investment, in the core, it is but rotten. For the touted investments have nary helped the common man, save to create a blink future for him. Refer to oft-reported killings of innocent mineral diggers in Mererani Arusha and environmental degradation among other.

Nkwazi Mhango is a Tanzanian living in Canada. He writes regularly for “The African Executive” and also has a blog entitled “Free Thinking Unabii”. He is a regular contributor to AfroSpear.