What is Zinduka?

ZDIF Presentation by Dimo Debwe

ZINDUKA Vocational Training Center Students:

ZINDUKA Vocational Training Center Students:

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To respond to this community need, in 2011 Project Zawadi’s local partner organization, Zinduka Development Forum, opened the fully modern Zinduka Vocational Training Center (VTC) with significant financial support from Project Zawadi. This facility, in the final stages of receiving certification from the Tanzanian Government’s Vocational and Educational, is the community’s first high-quality vocational training center for local students. Currently providing course options in the areas of carpentry and needlework, the VTC will add welding to this list in 2013. It also houses the first ever computer lab and provides introductory computer skills training to students and local residents. It is a fully modern facility with a theory classroom, carpentry workshop, sewing room, library space, computer lab, secure materials storage area, teacher office, and staff and student toilets. It is supplied with electricity and running water and has the advantage of allowing students to remain in their local community while furthering their education. Zinduka Vocational Training Center - dormitory will be built three blocks away providing easy access for the students.

GARDENING PROGRAM:

Zinduka also have established a gardening program for twelve small scale gardeners around Nyamuswa and Makongoro villages. Volunteer students from Buffalo USA raised funds to buy kick start pumps which they supplied them to these gardeners. This program is successfully working well but the other problem is getting vegetable pesticides as well as manures. This program needed to be expanded to more villages if funds will be presently available. Zinduka is seeking for a donation oUS$ 5000 to open a farming pesticide store in Nyamuswa, where farmers can be able to get easily but also closely.  Also the program established the tree planting in Nyamuswa area. This program needed to be expanded to more villages if funds will be presently available

Serikali yajidhatiti Kudhibiti Makosa ya Utakatishaji fedha haramu Nchini- AG Masaju

 

Bi Rhoda Martin ,Hakimu Mkazi Mahakama ya Wilaya Dodoma akitoa neno la shukrani mara baada ya mafunzo hayo kufunguliwa rasmi.

Washiriki wa Mafunzo wakifuatilia hotuba ya ufunguzi ya ufunguzi wa kutoka kwa Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali (hayupo pichani) kushoto ni Bw. Denis Mongula kutoka Ofisi ya Mwnasheria Mkuu wa Serikali

Picha ya pamoja ya washiriki wa mafunzo kuhusu utakatishaji fedha haramu na utaifishaji mali zilizopatikana kwa njia zisizo halali. Kutoka kushoto waliokaa ni Bw.Ayub Mwenda,Mkurugenzi Msaidizi(uendeshaji Mashtaka),Bw.George Masaju-Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali,Bi Mary Lymo-Mkurugenzi Msaidizi (Makosa ya Rushwa na Udanganyifu) na kulia ni Bw.Angaza Mwipopo,Wakili wa Serikali Mfawidhi Ofisi ya Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali Mkoa wa Dodoma.

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Na Mwandishi Wetu

Serikali kwa kushirikiana na wadau wa mapambano ya kudhibiti utakatishaji wa fedha haramu na utaifishaji wa fedha zilizopatikana kwa njia isiyo halali imeendelea kufanya jitihada katika kuongeza uelewa na kujenga uwezo wa Watendaji wake pamoja na kuendelea kuweka mifumo ya Kisheria na Kiutawala kupambana na kudhibiti makosa yanayohusu utakatishaji wa fedha haramu na utaifishaji wa mali iliyopatikana kwa njia ya uhalifu.

Hatua hizo zimefikiwa kutokana na kuendelea kuimarika kwa mbinu zinazotumiwa na wahalifu katika kutenda vitendo vya kihalifu, vikiwemo vitendo vya kutakatisha fedha haramu, ambazo zimekuwa zikibadilika kila siku, na hivi sasa wahalifu wanatumia maendeleo yaliyoletwa na Sayansi na Teknologia kupitia kompyuta na njia ya Teknolojiaya ya Habari na Mawasiliano kutenda makosa ya uhalifu yanayozalisha fedha haramu.

Katika kutekeleza azma yake hiyo, Serikali imeandaa Mswada wa Sheria ya Miamala ya Kielekroniki wa Mwaka 2015 (The Electronic Transaction Bill, 2015) na Mswada wa Sheria ya Makosa ya Mtandao wa Kompyuta ya Mwaka 2015 (The Computer and Cyber Crimes Bill, 2015) ambayo itawasilishwa katika Mkutano wa 19 wa Bunge la Jamhuri ya Muungano ikiwa ni mkakati wake wa kuendelea kupambana na kudhibiti makosa yanayohusu utakatishaji fedha haramu na utaifishaji mali zilizopatikana kwa njia isiyo halali.

Vilevile, Serikali imeendelea kuchukua hatua ya kuwajengea uwezo wataalamu ili kuimarisha uwezo wao katika utekelezaji wa Sheria Dhidi ya Utakatishaji Fedha Haramu ya mwaka 2006, ambapo Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali, leo (18 Machi,2015) amefungua mafunzo ya pamoja yanayowahusisha Waendesha Mashtaka kutoka Ofisi ya Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali pamoja na washiriki kutoka Mahakama na Vyombo vya Upelelezi nchini ili kuwawezesha watendaji hao kukabiliana na changamoto zinazotokana na mabadiliko katika mazingira na mbinu mpya za kutenda makosa hayo.

Akieleza umuhimu wa mafunzo hayo , Ndugu Masaju amesema kuwa uelewa wa watendaji wengi katika vyombo vya Uchunguzi, Uendeshaji Mashtaka na Mahakama kuhusu masuala haya bado ni mdogo hivyo kulazimika kuchukua hatua na jitihada katika kuongeza uelewa pamoja na ukweli kwamba zipo Sheria mahsusi za Makosa haya na nyinginezo kama Sheria Dhidi ya Uhujumu Uchumi ya mwaka 1984 ambazo zimeweka masharti ya utaifishaji wa mali zinazotokana na uhalifu na Sheria Dhidi ya Utakatishaji wa Fedha Haramu ya 2006 inayotambua makosa mengine (predicate offences) yanayozalisha fedha haramu.

Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali ametumia fursa hiyo kuwasihi washiriki wa mafunzo hayo kutolala kwani wahalifu wako macho na wanatumia njia mpya kila siku kutenda uhalifu ambapo kumekuwa na ongezeko la makosa ya rushwa, madawa ya kulevya na udanganyifu ambayo yanachochewa na tamaa ya kupata mali.

“Ni vizuri mkafahamu bayana kuwa iwapo mtalala, wahalifu kwa upande wao, hawasubiri Serikali iweke mifumo ya kudhibiti au kujenga uwezo wa watendaji wake. Kinyume chake, wanatumia mwanya huo kutenda uhalifu na kutakatisha mali zinazotokana na uhalifu huo ili isiwe rahisi kuwakamata na kutaifisha mali hizo”.

Ndugu Masaju pia ameeleza kuwa wahalifu wanatumia fursa iliyoletwa na maendeleo ya mifumo ya Mawasiliano na Teknolojia (TEHAMA) katika biashara mbalimbali kutakatisha fedha zinazopatikana kwa njia ya uhalifu na kuzisafirisha haraka katika nchi nyingine ili kuficha uhalisia wa mali hizo kwa dhamira ya kuepuka kukamatwa na vyombo vya uchunguzi hapa nchini ambapo ametoa rai kwa washiriki wa mafunzo kutumia vizuri fursa waliyoipata kujifunza na kupata majibu ya changamoto mbalimbali wanazokabiliana nazo katika utendaji kazi ili kuongeza kuongeza ufanisi na kuhakikisha wahalifu hawafaidiki na uhalifu wanaoufanya. Awali, akimkaribisha Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali, Bw.Ayub Mwenda ambaye ni Mkurugenzi Msaidizi anayeshugulikia Usimamizi na uratibu wa uendeshaji wa Mashtaka ya Jinai kutoka Ofisi ya Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali alieleza kuwa Serikali inatoa uzito mkubwa katika suala la kukabiliana na uhalifu na mashauri yanayohusu masuala ya utakatishaji fedha hivyo nguvu na uelewa wa pamoja vinahitajika kutoka kwa wadau wote ikiwa ni pamoja na kuendelea kushirikiana ili kujiimarisha zaidi katika eneo hilo.

Serikali kuendelea kuandaa mazingira bora ya wavuvi Zanzibar

 

Na Masanja Mabula -Pemba .

Waziri wa Mifugo na Uvuvi Zanzibar Mhe A

bdilah Jihad Hassan amesema kuwa Serikali itaendelea kuandaa mazingira bora ya wavuvi ikiwa ni pamoja na kujenga  masoko  ya kisasa ili kuimarisha sekta ya uvuvi na kuzalisha ajira kwa wananchi . Amesema kuwa wananchi wengi wa Visiwa vya Zanzibar wanategemea sekta ya Uvuvi kuendesha shughuli zao za uchumi na kueleza kwamba jumla ya watu 34,000 wamejiajiri kupitia sekta ya uvuvi ambapo kupatikana kwa masoko ya kisasa kutaongeza ajira kwa wananchi .
Kauli hiyo ameitoa wakati akikabadhi soko la Tumbe Wilaya ya Micheweni kwa Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Kaskazni  Pemba , ambalo limejengwa na kampuni ya Ngogo ya Iringa  na kugharimu zaidi ya  shilingi milioni 712.
Aidha waziri jihad amewataka wananchi wa Wilaya ya Micheweni kulitumia soko hilo kwa kufuata  mila , silka na tamaduni wa watu wa Tumbe .

“Tunatambua kwamba soko hili liko sehemu za mkusanyika wa watu wengi kutoka sehemu tofauti za Pemba , hivyo basi mnatakiwa kusimamia na kufuata mila , silka na tamaduni za wenyeji wa hapa ili kusiwepo na mporomoko wa maadili ya jamii ” alisisitiza Jihad . Mapema Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Kaskazini Pemba Mhe Omar Khamis Othman amewashauri wavuvi wa Wilaya ya Micheweni kuhamasishana kulitumia soko hilo ili liweze kutumika na kukuza uchumi wao na Taifa kwa Ujumla .

Mkuu huyo wa Mkoa ameitaka Wizara ya Mifugo na Uvuvi kutoa kipaombale cha kwanza kwa wakaazi wa Tumbe nakushauri kwamba uteuzi wa vijana kujiunga na chuo cha Uvuvi  zielekezwe kwa wakaazi wa Tumbe .

” Hizi nafasi za vijana kujiunga na chuo cha Uvuvi ambazo Wizara mmeanza kuzitoa naomba vijana wa Tumbe nao wapewe kipaombele cha pekee ili kuwafanya wakiridu waweze kuliboresha soko hili  ” alishauri Mkuu wa Mkoa .

Akitoa taarifa za ujenzi wa Soko hilo Katibu Mkuu wa Wizara ya Mifugo na Uvuvi Bw Kassim Gharib Juma amesema kuwa katika kipindi cha mwaka 2014  jumla ya Tani 30,000 wenye thamani ya bilioni 106 na wamevuliwa Unguja na Pemba .

Amesema kuwa lengo la Serikali ni kuwafanya vijana kujiajiri wenyewe kupitia sekta ya Uvuvi na tuko mbioni kukamilisha mipango ya kuwaandaa wavuvi kuweza kufikia bahari kuu kwa ajili ya uvuvi .

Ameeleza kwamba hilo litafikiwa kutokana na azma za Rais Shein za kutoka kuiboresha sekta ya Uvuvi kwa kuwapatia vifaa na dhana za kisasa za uvuvi ambazo zitawafanya walitumie eneo la bahari kuu .

Mkutano wa 19 baraza la wawakilishi kuanza jumatano

Katibu Mkuu Baraza la Wawakilishi Zanzibar Nd. Yahya Khamis Hamad akizungumza na waandishi wa habari kwa kutoa ufafanuzi kuhusu kikao cha Mkutano wa Kumi na Tisa (19) wa Baraza la Nane (8) la Wawakilishi unaotarajiwa kuanza siku ya Jumatano ya Tarehe 11 March, 2015. (Picha na Rahma Khamis Maelezo-Zanzibar). Baadhi ya Waandishi wa Habari waliohudhuria katika mkutano huo wakimsikiliza kwa makini Katibu Mkuu Baraza la Wawakilishi Zanzibar. (Picha na Rahma Khamis Maelezo-Zanzibar).

Katibu Mkuu Baraza la Wawakilishi Zanzibar Nd. Yahya Khamis Hamad akijibu maswali yaliyoulizwa na baadhi ya waandishi wa habari wakati wa mkutano huo. (Picha na Rahma Khamis Maelezo-Zanzibar).

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Na Rahma Khamis na Mwanaisha Moh’d Maelezo-Zanzibar. Mkutano wa Kumi na Tisa (19) wa Baraza la Nane (8) la Wawakilishi Zanzibar unatarajiwa kuanza siku ya Jumatano Tarehe 11 March, 2015 saa 3:00 kamili za asubuhi ambapo miswada minne ya sheria itawasilishwa na kujadiliwa barazani hapo. Hayo yameelezwa na Katibu wa Baraza la Wawakilishi Nd. Yahya Khamis Hamad alipokuwa akizungumza na Waandishi wa Habari katika Ukumbi wa Baraza hilo huko Chukwani nje kidogo ya Mji wa Zanzibar. Amesema miswada itakayojadiliwa ni pamoja na Mswada wa Sheria ya kufuata Sheria ya Miradi ya Maridhiano Namba 1 ya mwaka 1999, Kutunga Sheria kwa ajili ya kuazishwa na kuendesha mashirikiano baina ya Sekta za Umma na Sekta Binafsi zilizopo nchini ikiwemo na Kuwasilishwa mbele ya Baraza, Sheria ya Kura ya Maoni No. 11 ya Mwaka 2013 ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania kwa mujibu wa kifungu 132(2) cha Katiba ya Zanzibar. Vile vile Katibu huyo ametanahabahisha kuwa mswada mwengine utakaojadiliwa ni pamoja na kuanzishwa kwa Baraza la Sensa ya Filamu na Utamduni Zanzibar ambalo litasaidia kukuza na kulinda utamaduni wa Wazanzibari. Sambamba na hayo amesema katika shughuli zitakazoendelea katika Baraza hilo ni pamoja na maswali na majibu ambayo yataulizwa na kujibiwa na wajumbe wa baraza hilo ambapo maswali 77 yanatarajiwa kujibiwa katika baraza hilo. Katibu Yahya amewaomba Wajumbe wa Baraza hilo kufika kwa wakati barazani hapo ili kwenda sambamba na muda kwa lengo la kutimiza majukumu yaliokusudiwa katika mkutano huo.

Balozi wa China akutana na Rais Dk.Shein

Rais wa Zanzibar na Mwenyekiti wa Baraza la Mapinduzi Dk.Ali Mohamed Shein akisalimiana  na Balozi wa China Nchini Tanzania Dr.Lu Youqing Uholanzi nchini Tanzania  alipofika Ikulu Mjini Zanzibar leo (kulia) Balozi Mdogo wa China anayefanyia kazi Zanzibar Xie Yunliang,[Picha na Ikulu.] Rais wa Zanzibar na Mwenyekiti wa Baraza la Mapinduzi Dk.Ali Mohamed Shein akizungumza na Balozi wa China Nchini Tanzania Dr.Lu Youqing Uholanzi nchini Tanzania   alipofika Ikulu Mjini Zanzibar leo,[Picha na Ikulu.]

Rais wa Zanzibar na Mwenyekiti wa Baraza la Mapinduzi Dk.Ali Mohamed Shein akifuatana na mgeni wake Balozi wa China Nchini Tanzania Dr.Lu Youqing Uholanzi nchini Tanzania  baada ya mazungumzo yao yaliyofanyika leo alipofika Ikulu Mjini Zanzibar,[Picha na Ikulu.]

MAHAKAMA KUU YAFUTILIA MBALI KESI ILIYOFUNGULIWA NA ZITTO KABWE

 

Mahakama Kuu Kanda ya Dar es Salaam, imeifutilia mbali kesi iliyofunguliwa na Mbunge wa Kigoma Kaskazini, Zitto Kabwe dhidi ya Kamati Kuu ya Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), baada ya kukubali mapingamizi yaliwasilishwa na chama hicho.

Uamuzi huo umetolewa na Jaji Richard Mziray baada ya kupitia hoja za pande zote mbili kuhusu mapingamizi ya CHADEMA.

Mapema Saa 3:20 asubuhi Jaji Mziray alisoma uamuzi huo mbele ya wanaodaiwa kuwa wanachama huku upande wa Zitto akiwa hana mwakilishi na alikuwepo wakili wa utetezi Peter Kibatala.

Alisema baada ya kupitia hoja za pande zote mbili mahakama imeona Zitto alikosea kuifungua kesi hiyo katika Masijala Kuu ya Mahakama Kuu badala ya Masijala ya Kanda ya Dar es Salaam ya mahakama hiyo.

Pia, Zitto hakuonyesha kwa sababu gani alifungua kesi hiyo ya madai Mahakama Kuu badala ya Mahakama ya Hakimu Mkazi kama Sheria ya Mwenendo wa Kesi za Madai.

Awali mahakamani hapo CHADEMA kupitia mawakili wake kiliwasilisha kwa njia ya maandishi mapingamizi dhidi ya kesi hiyo iliyofunguliwa na Zitto.

Katika pingamizi la kwanza, CHADEMA ilidai kwamba haikuwa sahihi kesi kufunguliwa Mahakama Kuu kwa sababu ilipaswa kufunguliwa Mahakama ya Wilaya/ Hakimu Mkazi kwa mujibu wa Sheria ya Mwenendo wa Kesi za madai.

Pingamizi jingine, kesi hiyo ilikosewa kufunguliwa Mahakama Kuu, Masijala Kuu badala ya Mahakama Kuu Kanda ya Dar es Salaam.

Jaji alikubali mapingamizi hayo kwamba yako sahihi na kuitupilia mbali kesi hiyo.

“Mahakama inaamuru Zitto kukilipa CHADEMA gharama zote za kesi hii” alisema Jaji Mziray.

Mapema Januari 2, mwaka 2014 Mahakama Kuu, iliyoketi chini ya Jaji John Utamwa, ilitoa zuio la muda kwa Kamati Kuu ya CHADEMA, kutojadili uanachama wa Zitto katika kikao cha chake kilichofanyika Januari 3, mwaka jana.

Hata hivyo, Januari 3, mwaka 2014 mahakama hiyo ilisikiliza hoja za mawakili wa pande zote mbili kuhusu maombi hayo mbele ya Jaji John Utamwa.

Januari 7, mwaka 2014, mahakama hiyo pia ilitoa amri kwamba Zitto asijadiliwe uana chama wake hadi kesi ya msingi itakaposikilizwa na kutolewa maamuzi.

Zitto alikuwa anatetewa na wakili msomi, Albert Msando na CHADEMA walikuwa wanawakilishwa na Tundu Lisu na Peter Kibatala.

Katika kesi ya msingi, Zitto amefungua kesi dhidi ya Baraza la Wadhamini la Chama hicho na Katibu Mkuu, Willbrod Slaa, akiiomba Mahakama itoe zuio la muda la Kamati Kuu kutojadili suala la uanachama wake hadi kesi ya msingi itakaposikilizwa na kutolewa maamuzi na mahakama hiyo.

Katika maombi yake, Zitto anaiomba mahakama kuiamuru kamati kuu na chombo chochote kisijadili uanachama wake hadi rufaa yake itakaposikilizwa katika Baraza Kuu la Chama.

Kadhalika, anaoimba mahakama imwamuru, Dk. Slaa kumkabidhi nakala za taarifa na mwenendo mzima wa vikao vilivyomvua uongozi ili akate rufaa katika ngazi ya juu ya chama hicho.

Zitto kupitia wakili wake Msando aliomba mahakama itoe zuio la muda la Kamati Kuu na vikao vingine vya chama kutojadili suala la uanachama wake hadi kesi ya msingi itakaposikilizwa na kutolewa uamuzi.

Akiwasilisha hoja zake wakili Msando aliomba zuio hilo litolewe hadi Zitto atakapopata nafasi ya kuwasilisha rufaa yake ya kupinga uamuzi wa kumvua uongozi katika chama, uliotolewa katika kikao kilichofanyika Novemba 12 mwaka 2013.

Wakili alidai endapo amri hiyo haitatolewa na Kamati Kuu ikamvua uanachama, Zitto atapata athari kubwa kuliko chama chenyewe kwa kuwa atapoteza nafasi yake ya ubunge na kushindwa kuwatumikia wananchi waliomchagua.

Pia, mwanasheria huyo alidai athari nyingine ni kwamba iwapo atafukuzwa uanachama, Zitto atapoteza nafasi ya Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Bunge ya Hesabu za Serikali (PAC).

Alisisitiza kuwa, Zitto haizuii CHADEMA kufanyakazi zake za kisiasa kama wao wanavyodai katika hati ya kiapo kinzani, bali anaomba Kamati Kuu isijadili suala lake la uanachama mpaka uamuzi utakapotolewa.

Akijibu hoja hizo Wakili wa CHADEMA, Lissu alidai kuwa katika kutoa zuio la muda mahakama inatakiwa iangalie maslahi ya walio wengi na si faida ya watu wachache.

Alidai katika hati ya kiapo, Zitto anadai hakuna tarehe ya kikao cha Baraza Kuu la chama kilichopangwa, pia asipokata rufaa hatotendewa haki na atapata madhara lakini dawa ya woga na hofu yake ni kuomba mahakama iamuru kikao cha Baraza Kuu kifanyike na siyo kuomba zuio.

Lissu alidai kuvuliwa uanachama kwa Zitto hakutakuwa na athari kubwa kama anavyodai, athari ataipata yeye kwa kukosa posho na mishahara.

MAMA MARIA NYERERE AKANUSHA UVUMI ULIOENEA JANA KUWA AMEFARIKI DUNIA

Kwa hisani ya

Mjane wa Baba wa Taifa, Mama Maria Nyerere leo amezungumza na waandishi wa habari,nyumbani kwake Msasani jijini dar es salaam juu ya uvumi ulioenea nchini kuwa amefariki Dunia.

Mama Maria amewathibitishia watanzania kuwa bado yu hai na mwenye nguvu hivyo wasiwe na hofu nae.
Alisema jana amepokea simu nyingi sana kutoka kwa watu mbalimbali wakiwemo watoto zake, wake wa watoto zake wote, familia yake pamoja na watu mbalimbali ili kumjulia hali.

Amesema alipopokea taarifa hizo wala hakushtushwa badala yake alifanya sara kwani uvumi huo wawezekana inatokana na vuguvugu la uchaguzi mkuu unaotarajiwa kufanyika mwaka huu, pia utandawazi uliopo wa sayansi na teknolojia wa karne ya 21.

“jana nilipokea simu nyingi sana kutoka kwa watu mbalimbali wakiwemo watoto wangu, wake wa watoto zangu, pamoja na familia,walikuwa wakinisalimia, wengine waliposikia sauti yangu walikata simu” alisema Mama Maria.

Mama Maria alisema taarifa hizi za kuzushiwa kifo si mara ya kwanza kwani hata miaka ya nyuma akiwa na hayati baba wa Taifa, mwalimu Julius Nyerere walipokea taarifa nyingi za uvumi wa kifo.

Mjane wa hayati Baba wa Taifa, Mama Maria Nyerere akizungumza na waandishi wa habari (hawapo pichani) nyumbani kwake Msasani jijini dar es salaam leo,juu ya uvumi wa kufariki Dunia ulioenea jana kupitia simu na mitandao ya kijamii.

Jerry Okungu anawashauri Watanzania kutoangukia katika mtego wa vurugu za uchaguzi kama zilizoikumba Kenya:

TANZANIA MUST AVOID FALLING INTO KENYA’S TRAP OF ELECTION VIOLENCE

 

By Jerry Okungu

Nairobi, Kenya

Three different newspapers published in Dar es Salaam cannot be wrong especially if one of them, the oldest, belongs to the CCM. They are all saying more-or-less the same thing; that there is uncertainty and anxiety in the air. They are all expressing fear that Bongoland’s elections may be rigged in favor of the ruling party based on the mood in the country that seems to be craving for regime change in the land of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.

Signs that all is not well are clearly brought out in the latest opinion results conducted by Research and Education in Democracy in Tanzania(REDET), a state owned research center housed at the University of Dar es Salaam, Synovate of Kenya and several online surveys conducted by Daily News, Uhuru Publications and ThisDay newspaper published by Reginald Mengi’s outfit.

In the run-up to the Kenyan elections in 2007, we had a similar scenario where opinion polls became the centre of vicious debates, claims and counter claims of doctored results depending on who or which party was favored or dismissed by the polls. Whenever an opinion poll favored PNU, other parties and their supporters dismissed it as cooked. On the other hand, if another pollster published results that favored ODM, other players routinely dismissed it as bogus.

On the other hand, the Kenyan public were routinely treated to a measure of the popularity of presidential candidates and their parties through the sizes of their rallies that at times were beamed live on local television stations. Therefore if the polls did not reflect what the masses saw on TV, they always disputed such results.

Claims of preplanned rigging of results as already alluded to by Wilbroad Slaa were typical in Kenya just months before the elections. Plans to use the police and the provincial administration to be election monitors for PNU the ruling party were equally on the cards. It was these strange developments, coupled with public pronouncements that PNU would not concede defeat that led ODM to announce very early that the party would only accept defeat if the elections were free and fair. On the other hand, if the results were rigged, the party would mobilize its huge following countrywide for mass action to protest the results.

Looking at the Tanzanian election campaigns this year, there are signs that the country is reading from Kenya’s script. If already, a CCM high ranking official has declared that Wilbroad Slaa will not be the fifth Tanzanian president, it must be because there is something he knows about the election outcome that other Tanzanians are not privy to.

On the other hand, the intervention of the military chiefs to warn Tanzanians against causing chaos must have sent chills down the spines of many people in that country. Ordinarily, the military in Tanzania just like in Kenya are supposed to be apolitical in such circumstances. To meddle in the political arena at such sensitive moments can only remind us of the Zimbabwe scenario where prior to the elections, the military came out to announce that they would not mount a military guard for anybody other than Robert Mugabe.

In East Africa, Tanzania has had the best history of political stability despite its population being highly politicized. For this reason, it has earned the respect of many international organizations because of its peaceful political transitions. In fact it is only in Tanzania where we would have had four retired former heads of State had Mwalimu Nyerere not passed on suddenly in 1979.

Regime change like we have had in Kenya and Ghana in the recent past is not something easy to achieve in Africa especially if a whole ruling political party has to be thrown out of power. In Tanzania’s case, the task is even more daunting because CCM is the party that ushered in independence 49 years ago and many Tanzanians born after independence now nearing their 50s have grown up knowing only the ruling CCM.

In 2000, Ghanaians resolved that Jerry Rawlings’ party had to leave power after two decades. They gave power to John Kufuor’s opposition party. Eight years later, Ghanaians made another about turn and returned power to Jerry Rawlings’ party by electing Atta Mills in 2008 as Ghana’s new president. Such regime change can only take place once multiparty politics, democratic governance and political maturity has taken root in society.

In Kenya, the only time we effected regime change was in 2002 when the nation overwhelmingly voted KANU out of power after ruling the country for 40 years. Had the opposition parties not resolved to work together, perhaps this feat would not have been realized.

As we wait to see the outcome of Tanzania’s results on October 31, a few facts must be driven home for our brothers and sisters. They must be reminded that Tanzania is bigger than Jakaya Kikwete or Wilbroad Slaa. If it is the will of the people of Tanzania to return Kikwete to power through majority vote, so be it. However, if the same Tanzanians decide that the moment for regime change is now; their decision must be respected by those in power including the armed forces.

As an East African, I need a peaceful and prosperous Tanzania; not a chaotic one.

jerry@jerryokungu.com

Okungu is the CEO of Kenya-Today in Nairobi

UCHAGUZI TANZANIA BILA VURUGU INAWEZEKANA, BILA PANYA ROAD INAWEZEKANA ZAIDI. TUITUNZE AMANI TULIYONAYO.

UCHAGUZI 2015  TANZANIA   imekuwa na jukwaa kubwa linalotumia tovuti mbali mbali ukilinganisha na miaka ya nyuma katika chaguzi.

USHAHIDI  unaonyesha kwamba kuna Idadi kubwa ya Kampeni zinazofanywa kupitia  zana za kiteknolojia za simu za mkononi, Mitandao ya Kijamii  na hivyo kuwezesha ushirikiano ambao haukuwahi kuwepo kati ya waangalizi wa uchaguzi na raia katika kuendesha na kunadi sera mbali mbali za Wagombea .

kusimamia uchaguzi katika muda unaokaribiana na wakati halisi ni jukumu la Tume ya Taifa ya Uchaguzi.   uchaguzi wa Tanzania unatarajiwa kufanyika Mwishoni mwa Mwaka huu , na litakuwa jambo la kufurahisha kuona jinsi zana hii inayowika itakavyochagiza upatikanaji taarifa katika tukio hili la Kipekee.

uchaguzi wa Tanzania na jumuiya inayokua ya teknolojia:

Hivi sasa kuna nyenzo ya kiteknolojia ya Ushahidi ili kuripoti matukio ya vurugu, fujo na mapigano katika tayari kwa ajili ya uchaguzi Unaotarajiwa kufanyika mwaka huu.

 Unaweza pia kutuma maombi ya kuwa mfasiri wa kujitolea na mthibitishaji kupitia Fomu hii ya BALOZI WA DEMOKRASIA TANZANIA. wakati tunaelekea kwenye Uchaguzi mkuu, moja ya kura za maoni zungumzia nafasi nzuri kushinda kwa chama ama Kiongozi.

Bila kuwepo na upendeleaji wa chama chochote katika uchaguzi lakini ni matumaini yetu kwamba uchaguzi utaendeshwa kwa amani na Utulivu. 

Ni matumaini yetu pia kwamba rafiki wa nchi ya Tanzania ni wewe, Watanzania na wengine kama mataifa ya Wamarekani na Dunia nzima kwa ujumla, wote watakuwa salama kuhakikisha Tanzania inazidisha Amani na Utulivu. 

  UCHAGUZI ni msukumo wa pamoja kati ya TACCEO, Tanzania; HIVOS, Uholanzi; Haki Elimu, Tanzania; Jumuiya kubwa zaidi ya TEKNOHAMA nchini Tanzania – Jamii Forums, Tanzania; TWAWEZA ya Rakesh Rajani, CRECO ya Kenya kwa kushirikiana na USHAHIDI na SODNET za Kenya zote kama washirika wa kimkakati katika teknolojia.

Tanzania Election

On October 31, Tanzanian people will go to the polls and place their votes. With national elections just around the corner, the candidates and their supporters are busy campaigning and explaining their platforms to the voters.

It is an exciting time for our country, as we are embracing democracy. There are more political parties, like the AFP and TADEA. The media has been advertising the importance of voting and educating people about how to cast their votes. Candidates also have had equal access to the media in their campaigns, and every candidate has had the opportunity to publicly introduce themselves and their ideas to the people. Perhaps the best news is that, unlike in elections past, there has been no political violence and people have been campaigning in peace.

In past election years, there was political violence in Zanzibar as people prepared for the elections, but not this time. All of the campaigning has been peaceful and secure.
These are good signs for our country, because it shows that our people are embracing democracy and becoming involved in the political process.

Campaigning officially ends on October 30. On October 31, the Tanzanian people will choose their new leader. We all hope that it is someone who is fairly elected and who will bring development to our country. Above all, we all hope that our elections are as peaceful as the campaigns have been.
God bless Tanzania and its islands.

kwamba kutokuwepo kwa vurugu katika kampeni za uchaguzi mwaka 2010 Tanzania Bara na Zanzibar ni ushahidi kwamba watu wameanza kuipokea na kuielewa demokrasia:

Nyakati za uchaguzi katika miaka iliyopita, kulikuwa na vurugu za kisiasa huko Zanzibar wakati watu walipokuwa wanajiandaa na uchaguzi, lakini si hivyo safari hii. Kampeni yote imekuwa ya amani na usalama. Hizi ni dalili njema kwa nchi yetu, kwa sababu inaonyesha kwamba watu sasa wameanza kuipokea DEMOKRASIA na kwamba wameanza kujishirikisha katika mchakato wa kisiasa.
Kampeni zitakoma rasmi tarehe 30 Oktoba 2010. ambapo Oktoba 31, Watanzania walipiga kura kumchagua kiongozi wao aliyepo Madarakani mpaka walati huu wa Mwaka wake wa Mwisho. Sisi sote tuna matumaini kwamba ametuongoza vyema ukiondoa habari za Ushabiki wa Kisiasa,  kiongozi aliyechaguliwa kwa haki na aliyeiletea nchi yetu maendeleo makubwa katika nyanja mbali mbali. Zaidi ya yote ni Amani inapokuwa inatawala inazidi Raslimali yoyote katika nchi yenye Machafuko, hivyo sote tuna matumaini makubwa kwamba uchaguzi huu wa 2015 utakuwa wenye utulivu kama zilizovyokuwa katika uchaguzi uliopita na hata wakati wa kampeni.
Mungu aibariki Tanzania na Visiwa vyake.

Government threatens press in pre-election Tanzania

By Tom Rhodes/CPJ East Africa Consultant

Incumbent Tanzanian President Jakaya Kiketwe during rally in September. (AP)

As the October 31 national elections draw near, Tanzania's media is in a frenzy trying to cover the close race between the two leading presidential candidates. But government threats and draconian media laws may be getting in the way of objective coverage.

All eyes are on the contest between incumbent President Jakaya Kikwete of the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM), or "Party for Change," and a surprisingly successful challenger, Dr. Wilbroad Slaa from the Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), or "Progressive Democratic Party."

Kikwete, who won the 2005 elections with a landslide 80 percent of the vote, has seen his popularity plunge this month to 38 percent, according to Tanzanian polls. "Slaa has emerged as an unexpected presidential candidate and his message of change is resonating with voters anxious for a new direction," political commentator Azaveli Lwaitama told Reuters. Whether the Tanzanian press feel at liberty to cover this tight race is another matter. Critical reporting on the government during this sensitive time appeared risky after Ministry of Information Permanent Secretary Sethi Kamuhanda toured print media offices earlier this month, threatening to shutter any media house that "put the government in a bad light," state television reported. More than 50 human rights and media organizations issued a joint statement last week, claiming the government has threatened the press in advance of the forthcoming elections. Since polling began, the Registrar of Newspapers, a government-run licensing agency, has been busy issuing letters to newspapers, warning against any negative coverage of the government, local journalists told CPJ. Three private weeklies, Mwanahalisi, Raia Mwena, and Tanzania Daima have all been warned by the Registrar to avoid coverage deemed "inciteful" by the government or face suspension. "Such kinds of threats have been common from the Registrar of Newspapers, whom the minister [of information] uses as a means to enforce self-censorship," the chairman of the Tanzania Editors' Forum, Absalom Kibanda, told me. The country's leading Kiswahili daily, Mwananchi, received two letters from the Registrar recently threatening to suspend the paper for negative government coverage, Managing Editor Theophil Makunga told me. "For quite a long time now and during this election campaign period, in particular, your newspaper has been writing negative stories about the government," one of the Registrar's letters claimed. "Should you continue publishing the articles, the government will not hesitate to suspend or deregister your newspaper as per the laws of the land." The letter was signed by the Registrar's deputy director, Raphael Hokororo. Mwananchi is considered the most balanced and professional newspaper in the country and commands the highest readership, which makes this threat particularly troubling, the former Tanzania Editors' Forum chairperson, Sakina Datoo, told me. The Registrar's letters to Mwananchi alleged that the paper had denigrated the government but provided no examples of material the authorities deemed offensive, Makunga said. "The Registrar has no argument at all," he told me. "That's why they use sweeping, generalized statements in their allegations." Since the presidential campaigns started on August 20, Makunga said, his paper has not received a single complaint from any of the political parties participating in the race. Makunga fears the ruling party may shut down his paper using the vague allegations put forth in the Registrar's letter. "It's a sign of desperation on the side of the CCM. They believe if Mwananchi continues to report objectively, CCM candidates will lose votes," he said. The paper has filed a complaint with the independent press ombudsman, the Media Council of Tanzania. But Hokororo, the Registrar's deputy director, told me that the Mwananchi staff has exaggerated the issue. "The letter was supposed to be a private letter but they published it to get media attention. It was a warning, not a threat as they have portrayed it," he said. Recent warnings aside, the Tanzanian government has reams of anti-press legislation it can dangle above the media's heads to ensure self-censorship. The Newspaper Act of 1976, for instance, allows the information minister wide discretionary powers to ban newspapers. "It gives the minister powers to close down any newspaper for 'inciting'. Since the term is not defined, it's up to the minister to interpret it as he or she wants," Datoo said. Investigative reporting on any area the government considers classified is a punishable offense under the National Security Act. Later laws, such as the Civil Service Act and Public Leadership Code of Ethics Act, block access to information for journalists. The media laws in Tanzania "force all media to practice public relations and avoid investigative journalism," media analyst and Saut FM Producer Dotto Bulendu told me. Saut FM, a private station attached to St. Augustine's University, has faced its own challenges trying to cover the elections. Bulendu told me that he and Edwin Soko, a Saut FM reporter, received anonymous threats last month via text message accusing them of negative reporting on the ruling party. "The messages threatened to kill us if we continued to work at the station," he added. But the threats were somewhat misplaced; the Tanzanian Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) had already taken the station off the air in August. The Authority's public relations manager, Innocent Mungy, told me Saut FM had been closed on purely technical grounds because the radio signals interfered with aircraft communications. Bulendu is skeptical of the TCRA's findings. The station, he noted, has operated since 1997. "Why would we have signal interference problems now and not before?" he demanded. "Why just before the elections?" And he has little recourse: the 1993 Broadcasting Act empowers the TCRA to shut down any station at any time, he added. He hopes Saut FM will be back on the air this week, just days before the poll results. Over the years, press freedom monitors, including CPJ, have not identified many cases of Tanzanian authorities attacking the press, which makes the country appear to have a better media freedom record than many East African nations. But what happens in Tanzania is something more insidious: Thanks to the country's sweeping anti-press laws, the threat of closure by authorities is enough to curtail any wayward critics. For a ruling party facing a tight presidential race, that's a formidable advantage.