The floods were unleashed by heavy rains that poured continuously for two days caused at least 13 deaths and huge damage to infrastructure. Floods inundated office buildings and residential areas leaving hundreds of people homeless. According to Daily News, Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) said these are the heaviest rains Tanzania has experienced in 57 years.

Dar es Salaam youths rescuing children. Photo courtesy of http://issamichuzi.blogspot.com/.

In the past three days, bloggers and social network users used the social media platforms to send their condolences as well as important updates.

Altaz Premji wrote:

@altazpremji: step in right direction RT @ihelptz: All willing to lend a helping hand in the #DarFloods response can reach out at +255 222181117

Amor Mtage posted a contact number for those who would like to volunteer their time to help the victims:

@AmorMtage: The chairperson UN youth association can be reached thru 0718104565 for anyone hu wants to contribute or volunteer #darfloods

Bongo 5 Media Group posted the locations of emergency relief centres:

@bongofive: Vituo vya waathirika wa #DarFloods ni Sekondari za Azania, Msimbazi, Mchikichini, Kibasila, Mzambaraoni. Sh. msingi Mchikichini, Muhimbili

So far due to ordinary people’s efforts thousands of victims are receiving assistance. Luca in Dar Es Salaam writes:

@simplyluca: We hv seen over 3000 #DarFloods victims, efforts continue kesho (tomorrow)and thereafter. This is real..not for PR! They need help now, acheni majungu (stop witch-hunting)

Acknowledging that more needs to be done at the relief centres, Lusajo L.M tweeted:

@sajjo: @DarFloods kindly concentrate on coordinating relief efforts and disseminating information about #DarFloods leave Politics to Politicians.

President Jakaya Kikwete’s Twitter account (@jmkikwete) posted the following message:

@jmkikwete: @DJ_KIMZ The government is doing it's part.TPDF [Tanzania Peoples' Defence Force] has been working for the past two days to help victims,hand in hand with other stakeholders.

And Singida Member of Parliament Mohammed Dewji posted a statement from the president on his blog:

Nimepokea kwa masikitiko habari za vifo vya wenzetu 13 vilivyotokana na mafuriko yaliyosababishwa na mvua kubwa ambayo sote tumeishuhudia katika mkoa wa Dar Es Salaam tokea jana.

While massive rescue efforts continued, several bloggers in Dar Es Salaam including Issa Michuzi and Bongo5 posted photos showing the severity of the floods.

Dar Es Salaam based tweeps, Rakesh Rajani and Mikie Mckee, explained the extent of flooding in some office buildings:

@rakeshrajani: #Twaweza Dar closed until further notice due to severe flooding (chest high inside the office!). Extensive damage, will take days to fix

@MikieMckee: Diplomatic offices and international organization Including UN Tanzania, Swiss Embassy, Twaweza, India Embassy zimejaa majii #DarFloods

Other tweeps posted much needed real time status of roads using #Darfloods hashtag. EATV 5 twitter account @Number1youthchannel tweeted:

@Number1youthchannel: Lugalo /Tangi Bovu Bridge collapses. NO cars allowed to PASS over it. Picture Courtesy of Jimmy Blanks.

Tanzania's President Jakaya Kikwete visited the affected areas showing his government's commitment in leading the relief efforts.

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Twitter users including those on the ground in Zanzibar have been updating information about the disaster using the hashtag #ZanzibarBoatAccident.

Soud Hyder from Al Jazeera Kiswahili and Seth Kibet, a crisis mapper and software developer, have set up Ushahidi-based platform for tracking real-time information about the accident. Citizens can submit reports by sending a tweet with the hashtag/s #ZanzibarBoatAccident or #Zanzibar or #Pemba or by filling a form. Ushahidi is an open source project which allows users to crowdsource information.

Amidst confusion about the number of the victims, @ZittoKabwe in Zanzibar updated his follower about the number of casualties:

@zittokabwe: I have just spoken with Zanzibar 1st VP. Rescued stand at 590 and deaths 198 #ZanzibarBoatAccident

@zittokabwe: #ZanzibarBoatAccident amazing! 546 people rescued now. Official - Presindet's Office, just spoke to the PS

Photo of MV Spice by Flickr user sheyneg released under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

@arabinizer: 16 hours later is when the POLice Helicopter arrived? How slow can it get? #ZanzibarBoatAccident #zanzibar

@arabinizer: Seeing choppers still hovering above,HOPing for more survivors ,#zanzibar #ZanzibarBoatAccident

@arabinizer: @mollymhunter we were there witnessing the Events,The Boat capsized about 10 nautical miles from NUNGwi Town #ZanzibarBoatAccident #zanzibar

@arabinizer: Thousands are swarming in, Tanzania is in a state of Mourning, Flags Half mast, (maisara,znz) #zanzibar #ZanzibarBoatAccident

@arabinizer: Rushing to the outdated Zanzibar main hospital to Tally up the lost souls #tanzania #ZanzibarBoatAccident

@arabinizer: Identifying DEad Bodies,Very Graphic scenes,Can't Hold myself #Zanzibar #ZanzibarBoatAccident

As Television stations in mainland Tanzania took a while to offer updates, some Tweeter users expressed their disappointment:

@mnyune: Much respect for the coverage #zbc so ashamed #TBC #channel 10 #ITV on #ZanzibarBoatAccident

@O_the1: TBC IS a disgrace, INstead of morning with the Rest of Tanzanians they are playing Silly music. #ZanzibarBoatAccident #zanzibar #Tanzania

Friends, relatives and concerned citizens in Zanzibar standing in shock. Photo courtesy of @Tanganyikan.

@shurufu: On ZBC, they are counting the dead. Unconfirmed but the no. appears to be 118 dead and counting #Zanzibarboataccident

@shurufu: On ZBC (TVZ), a man has just identified a dead relative. Harrowing #Zanzibarboataccident

Earlier when the tragedy was unfolding, @jenny_hauser curatedtweets and photos related to the accident.

From early Saturday morning, some tweeps were mourning the dead and others praising the rescuers:

@amirajammy: Its so sad..what happened in zanzibar. My prayers with them wallahi! #zanzibarboataccident

@zeanonymouspoet: #ZanzibarBoatAccident its death and funeral in every hall..stone town is crying now leaders are lying…

@zittokabwe: Fishermen in Nungwi village played heroic role in rescuing fellow Tanzanians. Sacks of wheatflower onboard we used #ZanzibarBoatAccident

In 1996, MV Bukoba, a Lake Victoria ferry that carried passengers and cargo between the Tanzanian ports of Bukoba and Mwanza, sank. Up to 1000 passengers drowned.

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Tanzanian Member of Parliament, Zitto Kabwe. Photo source: bongocelebrity.com

As he was taken into police custody, the MP used his mobile phone to tweet the arrest to his 1,640 followers who retweeted, sympathised and tweeted back messages of encouragement. Here are some of Zitto's tweets following his arrest:

@zittokabwe: Have just been arrested by police in Singida for ‘ holding a rally after 6pm' @JamiiForums @Udadisi @Semkae @MariaSTsehai @jjmnyika

@zittokabwe: I finished a rally exactly at 6pm, police came with 2 defenders full of FFU [anti-riot police] ready for chaos. Sensed and call off the meeting. Arrested @ htl

@zittokabwe: I think there is a plan to frustrate our participation during budget session. My arrest is so awkward that these police can't even explain

@zittokabwe: I have been arrested at the Hotel Acqua around 6.35, police ordered the meeting end, heeded. Asked if they hv Clerk's clearance, hawana! [They don't have]

@zittokabwe: I am being locked up

Twitter user @SwahiliStreet asked:

@SwahiliStreet: @zittokabwe pole sana [I sympathise]. do cops need permission of the clerk to arrest an MP?

@zittokabwe: @SwahiliStreet according to PPPA, no 3 of 1988 they must get clearance from the Clerk

The MP was soon released:

@zittokabwe: RCO just got an order from his RPC [Regional Police Commander] to let me off and report tomorrow. Self-bail.

Still shocked after being released, Zitto tweeted:

@zittokabwe: I am still shocked of the arrest, questioning and release! No justification. This is to a legislator, normal citizens must be suffering

A string of tweets sympathising with Zitto followed:

Nathan Chiume wrote:

@chiume: @zittokabwe Dah, pole sana kaka![Oh, I sympathise with you brother] I hope cool heads prevail & all is resolved sooner than later

George Ruhago also wrote:

@GRuhago: @zittokabwe, dont give up “long walk to freedom”

And Pernille Bærendtsen tweeted a link to her blog offering her thoughts on the arrest and how instant communication will affect Tanzanian politics in a longer term:

Back to my interest in how social media is applied in Tanzania, and how this is perceived in i.e. Europe, I have to conclude that to me this is no longer about the fascination of the raw facts that a Tanzanian MP tweets and facebooks straight from custody.

That is in fact the surprisingly easy part.

To me the real challenge lies in adressing the issues of why he ended up there, what will happen after and how the instant communication affects politics in a longer term perspective. Another, may be to keep focus on how the government goes about its cyberspace policies in the long term.

If interested in the Tanzanian government's take on the Internet, read along here.

Zitto Kabwe is a Tanzanian MP from the opposition party Chadema [sw], a blogger and an active Twitter user. He usually tweets about political and economic issues that he encounters in parliament and on his political tours around the country. He often uses twitter for conversations with his followers.

Last year Danish blogger Pernille Bærendtsen looked at the use of traditional elements and social media in Tanzania election campaigns focusing on Zitto Kabwe.

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The Tanzanian blogosphere has taken the news of death of the al-Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden with a pinch of salt. While few voices welcomed the news, a number of blog readers expressed doubts and came up with a number conspiracy theories.

Maggid Mjengwa lauded Obama’s timing, reflecting that Osama's death will boost President Obama domestically. He wrote [sw]:

… huu ni ushindi mkubwa kwa Barack Obama na bila shaka, akiutumia vema, utamwongezea uhakika wa kushinda Urais kwenye Uchaguzi ujao na kuacha historia nyuma yake. Maana, Barack Obama alipoingia madarakani, aliweka bayana, kumtafuta na kumkmaata au kumwua Osama Bin Laden ni ajenda nambari moja katika mapambano dhidi ya ugaidi wa kimataifa. Obama, chini ya uongozi wake, amefanikisha kile ambacho kilidhaniwa hakiwezekani.

In the same post, an anonymous reader supported Maggid’s assertion:

Majid, There was always political capital to be gained from the announcement, but you have to remember it is the intelligence service and the military that have been doing this for years regardless of the who is in the white house supported by the congress approving their actions. Obama has continued to support the effort after Bush but then any President would have done the same.

It's a bit cheesy Obama taking so much credit but I don't doubt a Republican in the White House would have been doing the same. With Obama's latest polls little wonder he is enjoying the moment. Bottom line is Bin Laden is toast, so I am glad the people who lost their loved ones to his actions can get some relief for the revenge but as many pundits have already said it will not stop the Jihad … and another leader will take his place.

Another reader believes that Osama died long ago:

Probably Osama Bin laden died sometime ago.They knew this but they wanted to accomplish some dirty jobs before they announce this.FAKE news my Friends!

Another one says:

10 years, 2 wars, 919,967 deaths, and $1,188,263,000,000 later; America has killed one man. lol

Predicting that many will doubt the news of his death, Simon Kitururu left a message in Malkiory Matiya’s blog [sw]:

Huyu jamaa kwa watu wengine wengi tu hawawezi kukubali kuwa kafa! Na siku hizi na tekinolojia hizi zifanyavyo kazi-hata uweke video ya anavyouawa kuna watakao dai ni mambo ya holiwudi hayo.

Nasubiri tu kwa kuwa nahisi si muda mrefu unaweza kusikia Osama katoa tena video au tu sauti kudai kitu na wafuasi wake wakaamini ni kweli yuko hai!

Again over at Maggid Mjengwa’s blog a reader expressed skepticism [sw] over the “unanswered questions” about the killing, including the site of his burial:

Uzoefu wangu unaniambia kwamba chochote kinachosemwa na wamarekani na wachumba zake ukiangalie na kukitafakari sana kabla ya kukiamini.
1. Obama anasema kwamba askari wa marekani waliukamata mwili wa Osama, na mwili umezikwa baharini. Mh!…
Sasa masaa machache baada ya Osama kuuliwa, huo mwili wake wamekabidhiwa ndugu zake? rafiki zake? au umezikwa baharini na wamarekani?

Nina mashaka na hili. Ninahisi kwamba Osama amekufa kifo cha kawaida, na wamarekani wameshahakikisha kwamba amekufa sasa wanataka kujichotea misifa kwamba wamemuua.
[…]

Amid deniers, a reader in Michuzi Jr's blog wrote [sw]:

Nyie alkaida mmechanganyikiwa kweli mnakataa na kubisha kila jambo hata kama linawachoma machoni Kwa jinsi hii mtajikuta mmetumbukia kuzimu – motoni, Sijui na hapo mtabisha kuwa hmko kuzimu?

Osama Bin Laden's deadliest strike in Africa was the 1998 bombing of the United States embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that together killed 224 people.

This post is part of our special coverage The Death of Osama Bin Laden.

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In a post titled Gongo la Mboto Blasts – A Glimpse, blogger Deogratias Simba posts photographs of fleeing masses, bomb shells and shattered buildings taken on the streets. He writes:

[…]
2. The country’s disaster preparedness programme is very weak (if not absent) … handling proved to be REACTIVE rather than PROACTIVE … the photos will tell you why.

3. It is important to ensure that there is a single commanding voice when it comes to giving instructions of what people should do and when … the media has to be used effectively to convey one central message … not contradictory ones … important for commanding authority and receive the desired outcome.

4. While this incident is being handled and everyone recovering from the shock, our attention on key national issues (Dowans, the new constitution) should be kept very much vivid.

5. TANESCO should improve their efficiency during such incidents … once it takes place … they have to undertake a close inspection of their distribution grids to ensure that they are in order … electricity should be restored the soonest … no reason for people to wait longer than five (5) hours …

6. This should never repeat … pleeease!
[…]

Classroom hit by bomb at Pugu Secondary School. Photo by Deogratias Simba

Blogger Issa Michuzi also posted photos of the mayhem that followed the blasts. Several readers send condolences and demand answers from the government [sw]. One reader, Mohammed Bilal says:

We are very sorry for the ones who are directly or indirectly affected by the tragedy!!
I think ministerial responsibility must take place now… we expected that, after the Mbagala bombing, the army would have taken steps forward to ensure they counter-check the rest of the camps country-wide… but the recent bombing it is evident they did not do so…!! We expect the resignation of the minister responsible!!!

Another reader remembers arms depot explosion two years ago and wonders why no lessons were learned [sw]:

Inasikitisha sana yaliotokea mbagala haikuwa fundisho, na pia hata yaliyotokea mbagala yalikuwa ni uzembe, sasa kwa haya ya Gongo la Mboto sijui hata tuseme nini, maana ni zaidi ya uzembe, kutojali maisha ya watu,kupuuzia kila kitu, ubinafsi, kutowajibika, kutoipenda nchi na pia kutojali wananchi. Maafa ni makubwa sana ingawa si rahisi kusema ukweli. Wakipoteza maisha 200 tunaambiwa 20. Uongo kila sehemu…

As explosions rocked the city, Twitter users reported about the incident using the hashtag #bombsindar:

@jamiiforums reported:

Breaking News: Ghala la silaha Gongo la Mboto lalipuka!

@katebomz retweeted a photograph of the explosion.

Frustrated and hungry for an explanation or an official response on national television, Twitter users decided to organize relief efforts for the victims:

@tzshafiq compared the current government’s response to that of 1996 government:

Mwaka 1996 wakati inatokea ajali ya MV Bukoba nakumbuka Mh. Mkapa hakuchukua muda mrefu kutoa taarifa kwa wananchi kueleza chanzo cha ajali

@JMakamba criticizes Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation:

On TBC [Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation] now: Boda2Boda music show. I thought it is public broadcaster, and should be on the streets helping out. #bombsindar

@SubiFace is speechless:

re #bombsinDar “There is much better coverage on KTN (Kenya TV) than on TZ channels. Speechless.”

Twitter users coordinating relief efforts

@Tandile announced:

We are setting up a help centre and Mzambarauni Primary school, Gongolamboto (near the sight of the bombs) for people who are looking for missing persons and for children that are lost

@Shurufu retweeted:

via @Sashaissa:,At Muhimbili, they need blood ASAP. The number to call: 0713-777595. Ask for Mrs. Maya Hilda all types required #bombsindar

@tisjane2 wrote:

Urging people in Dar to go to muhimbili to donate blood. Severe shortage #bombsindar

@mtage:

@iUwesu @Mbergsma #bombsindar go to national stadium, tazara or unicef offices..food,water,blankets,tents, clothes needed

Along with relief efforts, calls for resignation continued

@JamiiForums wrote:

“JK sacks Defence Minister” The head line that you won't see! ~ http://bit.ly/gbH7yj #BombsInDar

@AfricanGenesis:

Increasing calls for the heads of CDF and MoD. Will they be held accountable? Or accountability will falter at the hands of Govt?#BombsinDar

Finally, you may be interested to read “#bombsindar: Gongo la Mboto, the media event, as told by Twitter,” a blog post written by Ben Taylor and Gongo la Mboto: reading list by Swahili Street.

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The announcement came amidst tension caused by the delay in announcing the final results by Electoral Commissions in Zanzibar and in mainland Tanzania. During that tense situation bloggers and twitter users kept readers updated with the latest events by the minute.

Bashir Nkoromo of Chachandu Daily posted the Zanzibar presidential results in his blog:

MWENYEKITI wa Tume ya Uchaguzi ya Zanzibar (ZEC) Khatib Mwinyichande, amemtangaza Dk. Ali Mohamed Sheni kuwa rais mteule wa Zanzibar wa awamu ya saba kwa kupata asilimia 50.1 dhidi ya mpizani wake Seif Sharif Hamad aliyepata asilimia 49.1.
[…]
Seif alimpongeza Dk. Sheni kwa kupata ushindi huo na alimsifu kuwa ana uwezo, uzoefu na mahaba ya kuiongoza nchi yake. Alisema ushindi wa Dk. Sheni ni uametokana na uamuzi wa wazanzibari.

Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad (right) congratulating Dr Ali Shein (courtesy of Bashir Nkoromo)

In a post announcing similar news, a reader of Wavuti congratulated Dr Shein and reminded others of the fact that Dr Shein will be the first president hailing from Pemba:

Kwa mambo ya kwetu Zenji huyo Mpemba mwenzetu Dr Shein ndiye anakuwa Rais wa kwanza kutoka kisiwa cha Pemba tangu 1964. Na amepata ushindi mnono ukilinganisha na waliomtangulia…

Election Results Delayed
On Monday bloggers were busy posting photos of chaos and a demonstration in Dar Es Salaam. Blogger Lukwangule posted photographs of a violent events in Dar Es Salaam with the following text:

POLISI imelazimika kutumia mabomu ya machozi na maji ya pilipili baada ya kutokea vurugu katika eneo la Tandika Ngamano na kuwakamata zaidi ya watu 25 waliohusika na vurugu hizo…

And from Zanzibar Bashir Nkoromo posted photographs of people who gathered at Bwawani hotel, where the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) set its office for announcing the election results.

Crowds outside Bwawani Hotel (photo courtesy of Bashir Nkoromo)

Meanwhile twitter users including @jamiiforums, @hakingowi, @issamwamba, and @shurufu kept the elections twitter marathon alive from Sunday night to Monday through hashtags: #UchaguziTZ, #uchaguzi, and #TZelect.

The final Tanzania Elections results are expected by the end of this week and online updates are likely to continue to play a crucial role in relieving suspense caused by the delay in the announcement of final results and the slow pace of mainstream media as twitter user @Fotobaraza wrote:

Fotobaraza Nimegundua Twitter is more reliable kuliko TBC, jamaa wanachelewa mno bwana

Here are some of the twitter users updating and discussing Tanzania Elections 2010 results by the minute:
@zittokabwe
@Subinukta
@Fotobaraza
@humanrightstz

You can also follow Mwananchi Live 2010 Election Results.

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One of the controversial issues in this year’s campaigns, it seems, is that most of university students will not be able to vote. Senior Journalist Ndimara Tegambwage who blogs at Uhuru Hauna Kikomo [SW] writes about the issue:

…Maelfu ya wanafunzi wa vyuo vikuu vya serikali walijiandikisha kupiga kura pale vyuoni kwao. Wizara ilijua hilo. Tume ya Uchaguzi ilijua na kupanga hivyo. Wanafunzi walijua watakuwa vyuoni (kwa kawaida vyuo hufunguliwa mwishoni mwa mwezi wa Septemba au mwanzoni mwa mwezi wa Oktoba,lakini mwaka huu serikali imeamua kwamba vyuo vifunguliwe mwezi Novemba). Serikali kwa ujumla ilijua hilo …

He goes on to explain what happens in other countries:

.. Katika baadhi ya nchi duniani, kuna mifumo ya kuhakikisha raia wake waishio ughaibuni, wanashiriki zoezi la uchaguzi huko watokako. Serikali huhakikisha kila kura inakusanywa.

And the he gives an advice to the students:

…Kuna kazi moja ambayo wanafunzi wanaweza kuifanya iwapo serikali haitabadili msimamo. Wabaki walipo. Wahimize wananchi kuamka mapema na kupiga kura. Wafanye uwakala wa vyama vyao…

Opinion Polls

Another interesting issue in these campaigns is how opinion polls were conducted. Three institutions conducted the polls. These are Research and Education for Democracy in Tanzania (REDET), Synovate as well as Tanzania Citizens Information Bureau (TCIB) (More information at Wavuti blog) [SW].

Results from REDET and Synovate were met with mixed reactions. Christian Bwaya blogging at Jielewe posted an article by Evarist Chahali who blogs at Kulikoni Ughaibuni. The article expresses suspicion that there might be rigging of the final vote and that REDET’s opinion poll results were preparing the ground for the impending vote-rigging:

…Wapiga kura wasianze kukata tamaa kuwa CCM wataiba kura … kwa mfano Dkt Slaa akipata asilimia 51 na Kikwete asilimia 49. Hapo watarejea uchakachuaji kama ule wa Zanzibar … Ni muhimu kutovunjwa moyo na hujuma hizi. Yatupasa kufahamu kuwa Kikwete na CCM yake ni kama mgonjwa mahututi ambaye yuko tayari hata kuning'inia kwenye uzi ili asalimike. Tutashuhudia vituko zaidi ya huo uchakachuaji wa REDET …

There are those who have lost trust in REDET like Markus Mpangala who left a comment at Bwaya'sblog:

… ilipoanzishwa REDET sijawahi kusoma wala sitarajii kusoma tafiti zao … samahani mimi huwa siamini maoni hususani tafiti za namna hii … REDET wanatumia pesa kibao kutafiti eti fulani anaongoza … REDET ni mchezo wa rede au kombolela tu.

Ansbert Ngurumo blogging at Utakapojua Hujui Ndipo Utakapojua [SW] writes about the Synovate opinion polls:

… Baada ya hapo alionyesha vielelezo vya utafiti uliofanywa na Synovate, ambao katika kipengele GPO 6 liliulizwa swali: “Kama uchaguzi ungefanyika leo, nani ungempigia kura ya urais?” - Synovate walikanusha kwamba swali hilo halikuwemo katika utafiti wao … ukweli ni uwa walifanya utafiti lakini CCM iliingiza ‘mkono' wake baada ya kubaini kuwa matokeo hayo yalikuwa yanaonyesha Kikwete yuko nyuma ya Dkt Slaa …

Meanwhile, Haki writing for a blog called Food for Thought posted photos showing a famous businessman and CCM supporter, Mustapha Jaffar Sabodo with the following explanation:

Mfanyabiashara na mkereketwa wa CCM nchini, Mustapha Jaffar Sabodo, ametoa hundi ya shilingi milioni 100 na kumkabidhi Mwenyekiti wa Taifa wa Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), Freeman Mbowe. Fedha hizo zimelenga kusaidia chama hicho ili kukamilisha kampeni.

Election Debates

One week before the general elections, there was a Q&A session broadcast through ITV. In that session Dr. Wilbrod Slaa, CHADEMA’s presidential candidate responded to questions direct from the people. Maggid Mjengwa, a journalist and blogger, wondered about the presidential ‘debate’:

… Kama ni mdahalo, basi ingekuwa ni vema na busara kwa wagombea wengine wa urais kushiriki. Bila shaka, wagombea wengine nao wana haki za msingi za kupewa nafasi kuelezea sera zao na kujibu maswali ya wapiga kura.

And then he informs us that CCM barred their candidates from participating in election debates:

…Hata kama chama tawala, CCM, kimeweka wazi kuwa mgombea wao hatashiriki mdahalo …

Photo journalist, Issa Michuzi, who runs one of the most read Swahili blogs both within and outside the country, follows the incumbent and CCM’s presidential candidate Mh Jakaya Kikwete campaign as well as his supporters. A title in one of his posts (with photos) says: JK Afunika Bovu Mlimba, Mahenge na Ifakara (meaning: JK conquers Mlimba, Mahenge and Ifakara).

UDADISI notices that one presidential candidate from the opposition seems to trouble CCM:

…It is quite clear that Dr Wilbrod Slaa's decision to run as a presidential candidate has tilted the balance of power. Now the debate is no longer about whether the ruling party's candidate [Jakay Kikwete] will get a landslide victory - as in the previous election. rather, it is about how much that victory will be cut.

In Zanzibar, there are signs that there will be peaceful elections especially after the agreement to form a Government of National Unity in the Isles. However, there are some nagging issues as described by Salma Said:

…SERIKALI ya Mapinduzi Zanzibar (SMZ) imekiri kwamba imeandikisha watu katika daftari la kudumu la wapiga kura wasiokuwa na sifa za kuandikishwa katika daftari hilo kutokana na sababu mbali mbali.

Apart from admitting that, the government also has admitted that Zanzibar Election Commission (ZEC) has employed ineligible electoral officers.

Kauli hiyo imetolewa na Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Kaskazini Pemba, Dadi Faki Dadi katika semina ya wakuu wa mikoa, makamanda, maafisa wadhamini, kamati za ulinzi na masheikh iliyofanyika kwenye ukumbi wa Elimu Mbadala Vitongoji Mkoa wa Kusini Kisiwani Pemba….

She goes on to caution Zanzibaris (and all Tanzanians in general):

…Waswahili wana msemo wanasema kwamba yashayopita sio ndwele tugange yanayokuja. Naam, nakubaliana na msemo huo lakini tukumbuke katika kuganga kunahitajika umahiri, ubunifu, ujuzi, uzoefu na busara za kutosha ili ndwele ile iliotokea nyuma isije ikajirejea tena…

Fierce contest for the (Union) presidential seat is between Jakaya Kikwete from CCM, Wilbrod Slaa from CHADEMA and Ibrahim Lipumba from CUF. In Zanzibar, the contest is between Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein from CCM and Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad from CUF.

As a famous Swahili saying goes: Will Tanzanians decide to plait or to shave? We will find out after the elections.

Written by Deogratias Simba · Translated by J. Nambiza Tungaraza · View original post [sw] · comments (0)
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It is hard to accurately comment on the impact of the ongoing online campaigns because of lack of up-to-date statistics on usage of social media tools in Tanzania. The number of Tanzanians using the Internet is still small in comparison to the total population. In a country of 41 million people there are only 676,000 Internet users representing 1.6% of the total population. Among those with access to the internet there are only 141,580 Facebook users, with 74% of them aged between 18-34 years.

Whether created by fans or formal campaign officials, there are a few websites, blogs, facebook pages and twitter accounts running campaigns for presidential candidates and those fighting for parliamentary seats from the ruling CCM party. The official website of the current president and the ruling CCM party candidate, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, has a link to a facebook page with more than 4,500 followers. There is also another facebook page dedicated to Mr Kikwete with more than 13,500 fans.

Kikwete’s running mate who is also the candidate for the Vice President's post, Dr. Gharib Bilal, has more than one campaign websites. One site is linked to Mr Kikwete’s website and Dr. Bilal’s twitter account, while the other website has a link to a facebook page dedicated to his campaign.

One of the opposition parties presidential candidates Dr. Wilbrod Slaa from CHADEMA party has a facebook page linked from his official website with about 910 fans. Likewise there are more than two facebook pages dedicated to Dr. Slaa’s campaign with about 9000 people who ‘like’ Dr. Slaa. He also has a twitter account with very few tweets.

Similar to Tanzania Mainland, election manifestos, pictures and videos of the campaign rallies are on display on the websites of the Zanzibar’s CCM presidential candidate Dr Ali Mohamed Shein as well as on his main opposition contender Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad from the Civic United Front (CUF).

Announced mostly through twitter and blogs, online campaign videos with clips from election rallies have so far received a little more than 12,000 views in total at the time of writing this post. Some of the videos appear to have been uploaded directly from the rallies, like this one from CHADEMA’s Kigoma North candidate, Hon. Zitto Kabwe:

While other videos like this one from the January2010zaidi Youtube channel appears to have been professionally produced:

The use social media platforms have made it possible for the campaign teams to interact directly with voters and to respond to their concerns. These tools have also enabled Tanzanians leaving abroad to follow events happening back home.

When CCM refused to participate in elections debate, as explained here by blogger Shurufu Anasema, a twitter user Issa Mwamba challenged Kikwete:

Where Kikwete2010 replied:

I personally think CCM as an independent party has a right to select and choose the debate it can participate or not participate

Although there are doubts as to whether online campaigns will influence voters in a country with such low internet penetration, some bloggers such as Spotistarehe are hopeful:

Je Vijijini wanasoma facebook?

Asilimia kubwa ya watumiaji wa mitandao hii wako jijini Dar Es Salaam na mikoa mikubwa kama Arusha, Morogoro, Tanga, Mwanza na kwa siku hizi mitandao inafika kote.

Jiji hili la Dar wakazi wengi ni wakuja wanatoka vijijini ambako wabunge wengi hutoka huko. Mathalani mi ni mtu wa Morogoro Kilombero, bila vyombo vya habari siwezi kujua mgombea wa Ubunge wa jimbo langu ana sera gani, lakini kama nitakuwa nasoma mawazo yake kupitia updates za mara kwa mara kwenye mitandao hii naweza nikawa mpiga debe mzuri… nikibahatika naweza washauri ninawafikia kuwa Bwana Kibonde ni mtu safi na nia ya kutukwamua anayo tumachagueni

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The match will be broadcasted live in over 160 countries and some anticipate that the 90 minutes attention will promote Tanzania’s image abroad. As well as generating publicity for the country, it will also be a lifetime opportunity for local football fans to see the Brazilians play on Tanzanian soil.

A debate is brewing in the Tanzanian blogosphere over the amount of money involved in the deal and the benefits to Tanzania. Chahali started with a post titled Taifa Stars vs Brazil on Metro But for all the wrong reasons where he pasted a paragraph from the UK Metro saying:

Tanzania Football Federation admits paying several million dollars to persuade brazil to play the Taifa Stars but president Leodgar tenga insists it will be worth every penny

Although Tanzania Football Federation has refused to disclose the amount of money paid to the Brazilians for the opportunity to play in Tanzania, readers in Michuzi’s blog have seized upon the story. ankal kamau who claims to be from Kenya writes:

After reading this piece, “Tanzania Pay Brazil Price” from BBC, I decided to write something for my neighbours Tanzanians. A country in the bottom of the poorest in the world, I was shocked on the rationale and thinking of these people. How could Tanzania pay such a price for Brazil to come and play soccer in Tanzania, while women giving birth are dying in hospitals because they cant get medicine. The could have used the money to modernize their Airport to be the Best in East Africa.

Some readers seem to agree with Ankal Kamau:

Let's be serious, the money is too much, the govt should at least invest in building schools and hospitals rather than bringing Brazil. It's a shame seeing students sitting on the floor in schools while our govt is wasting money…

While Kamau’s post has evoked negative reaction, in another post [SW] readers are more positive about the match citing benefits to Tanzania’s tourism urging the government to seize the opportunity and promote Tanzania:

Kwa upande mwingine, vipi kuhusu utalii. Tafadhali, wahusika (nawanyooshea vidole watu wa Wizara ya Utalii) mtumie hii fursa ipasavyo. Brazil itakuja na wanahabari kutoka kila kona ya dunia.

Another reader in Ankal Kamau’s post questions the use of tourism promotion to justify the spending:

I'm sick and tired of people using tourism as the justification for such a disgraceful act on the part of our government. We still do not have the basic necessities of water and electricity let alone decent schools and hospitals. Personally I am very disturbed. How are we promoting tourism by hosting the Brazilian football team? Someone please explain the rationale to me. When will we realise that enough is enough and that we are being taken for a ride? Lets wake up guys. Seriously…

Despite local football fans whinging about the highest entrance fee to watch the match on Monday (200,000TShillings, about 140USD while the lowest fee is equivalent to a monthly minimum wage (30,000TShillings, about 21USD), tickets are expected to be sold out as philanthropists, companies and institution have already started to buy giveaway tickets for the fans.

Posting from South Africa Faustine’s Baraza has more world cup related posts in Kiswahili and English here and here.

World Cup 2010 remains one of the main subjects in Vijana FM blog. More posts here [SW] and here [SW].

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The alleged arrest has been in discussed at Jamii Forum, a popular Tanzanian Online Forum, since yesterday. And today, Swahili Time has posted the news along with a picture of the arrested blogger, Malecela Peter Lusinde, 39, an IT consultant from Essex in the UK.

Swahili Time reports that Tanzania’s police in cooperation with their UK counterparts have collected enough evidence to conclude that Lusinde is the owner of Ze Utamu Blog which was blocked in February after publishing manipulated photographic images depicting Tanzania’s President Jakaya Kikwete engaging in lewd sex acts.

Legal aspects of the arrest are not yet clear. Tanzania does not allow dual citizenship and since Mr Lusinde is a UK citizen of Tanzanian origin, it is not yet known under which law Lusinde will be charged. The post in the Swahili Times says:

Habari zilizothibitishwa zinadai kuwa Ndg Malecela amerudishwa Tanzania kwenda kujibu tuhuma mbalimbali za kuendesha mtandao uliokuwa unadhalilisha watu,kuna malalamiko 6850 yaliyoandikishwa kulaumu udhalilishwaji wa watu uliofanywa na mtandao huo […]

Haijaeleweka wazi Ndg Malecela atashitakiwa kwa sheria gani? Lakini ni wazi kwamba atashitakiwa Nchini Tanzania.Licha ya Ndg. Malecela Polisi wa Upelelezi wamezungumza na Watanzania wengine wawili katika miji ya Wichita na San Diego Nchini Marekani,ambao pia wanahusishwa na Mtandao huo wa Ze Utamu.

Besides legal aspects, members at Jamii Forum also commented on the perceived double standards. Semilong said:

Is utamu the biggest ever crime committed by a Tanzanian?

watu wa JF kwa double standards wanashabikia zeutamu kukamatwa na wakati watu wana loot nchi yetu wanatembea huru
wangeshirikiana na interpool kuhakikisha hela zilizokuwa duabi, jerzey na kwinginepo zinarudi TZ ingekuwa ni jambo la maana kulikoni zeutamu[…]

Also at Jamii Forum, BlueRay supporting the arrest adds:

Your argument is weak. Two wrongs do not make a right. We do not want British citizens (of Tanzanian origin or not) to fling unchecked rampant numerous unfounded character assassinations on Tanzanians.

Does the Tanzanian government project a sense of misguided priority in pursuing this rather than EPA , of course, yes. But it is also possible that this was a quick slam dunk because this guy left his tracks left right and centre, IT consultant indeed! … What saddens me is that it took gross and pornographic caricaturing of the president himself for this to happen.

My concern is our internet laws are practically non existent, and our jurisdiction may be limited because this presumably happened over British web servers (?) by a British subject. So if the guy gets a good attorney, and the government does not use extrajudicial means (if it does not Ghailani him under some autocratic anti-terrorism preventive-detention like draconian)

The guy may walk scot free.

* Global Voices Online has not verified the information published in the blogs covered on this post.

Written by J. Nambiza Tungaraza · comments (3)
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According to Habari Leo , a Tanzanian newspaper[sw] the country’s police are seeking help from Interpol in tracing the owners and publishers of the blog.

Ze utamu (www.zeutamu.com), probably Tanzania's most controversial blog, came to the limelight by publishing a mixture of Tanzanian Diaspora gossip, nude and sex photographs of well known people as well as name-and-shaming articles. While it attracted many readers, the blog has also attracted criticism.

Some bloggers are of the opinion that the authorities did not care when posts about ordinary citizens were posted at ze utamu. A comment from a blog post at Watanzania Oslo blog that posted the Habari Leo article about the police hunt for ze utamu blog owners says:

Mtandao huu wa ze utamu umkuwepo kwa muda mrefu sana na watu wengi wasio na hatia (raia wa kawaida) wamedhalilishwa sana kupitia mtandao huo kwa picha zao kuwekwa bila ridhaa yao. nyingi ya hizo picha ni za utupu na hata zile ambazo siyo za utupu ziliwekwa bila ridhaa ya wahusika. hivi kuwekwa picha ya rais Kikwete ndo kile chombo kinachojifanya cha usalama kinakurupuka kuwasaka wenye mtandao? […]unafiki mkubwa na ufisadi aina nyingine huu. kudhalilishwa ni kudhalilishwa, ama iwe ni raia tu, kiongozi wa kawaida na hata rais.

That point was also raised by Happy Katabazi :

… wiki hii katika mtandao wa www.zeutamu.com mtandao ambao umejipambanua kwa ajili ya kupachika picha za utupu za watu wa kada zote na wanaotembelea mtandao huo huchangia mawazo yanayohusu maisha binafsi ya faragha za watu…
Na wakati mtandao huo ukiendelea kujipambanua mamlaka husika zimekuwa zikiukenulia meno mtandao huu hadi wiki hii ulipotundika picha ya kumdhalilisha rais wetu, ndipo mtandao huo umedhibitiwa kwani hivi sasa hata ukiufungua haufunguki.

During the heyday of ze utamu some bloggers started campaigns to stop the blog, like the Anti-utamu [sw].

As the police search continues and despite having many readers before its disappearance, bloggers and readers who have openly come out to support Ze Utamu owners can hardly be found - at least at the time of writing this post.

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More than half of the dead were children, many of whom drowned in a river in the panic following the blast.

The powerful blasts caused the collapse of several nearby buildings and ignited rockets and other weapons that showered shrapnel on bewildered residents. A total of 755 houses have been destroyed and 4,000 people rendered homeless.

Immediately after the explosions, Red Cross officials set up two camps to support the victims, including more than 1,192 children who were admitted by Wednesday night after getting lost while running for safety.

While Investigations are under way into the cause of the blast, the government has set up an inquiry to asses the damage caused by the blast and has pledged compensation to all those affected.

On the day the explosions occured several Tanzanian bloggers posted updates immediately after the blasts. Basil Msongo described the situation [sw]:

HALI ya usalama Mbagala bado si shwari, watu wengi wameumia na wengine wamezimia kwa hofu.
Taarifa kutoka kwenye kambi yalipolipuka mabomu hayo zimedai kuwa huenda itatokea milipuko mikubwa kuliko iliyotokea hadi sasa kwa kuwa kuna mabomu makubwa hayajalipuka.
… Baadhi ya mabomu yamelipuka kwenye makazi ya watu, moshi umetanda Mbagala na kwa ujumla shughuli za kijamii zimeathirika sana.

And Charahani wrote:

Mamia ya wakazi wa jiji hilo hasa Mbagala na vitongoji vyake walionekana kuchanganyikiwa walikuwa wakihangaika kukimbia nyumba zao kwa lengo la kujiokoa. Katika harakati za kujiokoa baadhi ya wananchi ho walitumbukia mtoni huku baadhi yao wakiwasahau watoto wao na vikongwe nyumba bila msaada wowote

The day after the blast the initial shock turned into sessions of anger and questions about those responsible for the ‘accident'. There were angry reactions in a post with photographs of Tanzania’s president Jakaya Kikwete, Vice President Dr. Shein and other leaders visiting the site of the blast and temporary camps in Michuzi's blog:

We need to see some one anakuwa fired kwa uzembe uliotokea roho ya mtu ina thamani kubwa sana sasa uzembe wenu mmesababisha watu kupoteza maisha wengine viungo alafu hao majeruhi mtawaangalia kwa miezi mitatu tu mtaendelea na shughuli zenu na hivi 2010 inakaribia dah…. Hapa tunataka kuona watu WANAKWISHNEY waziri wa wizara usika, Naibu wake, mkuu wa kikosi cha maafa yalipotokea Mwamunyange ooooops huyu jamaa smart kidogo aendelee kutumikia nchi yake lakini hao wengine niliowamention tunataka kuona uwajibikaji wenu sio pole sizizokuwa na manufaa kwa wahanga wa tukio husika.

In another post with an aerial photograph showing bewildered residents confused along a freeway and another with some residents inspecting missile remains in a residential area prompted readers to blame not only the army and the government but citizens as well:

Hii inaonesha hatari kubwa ya kuhifadhi makombora (missiles) karibu na makazi ya watu wengi.
Haya siyo mabomu, bali nia surface-to- air missiles za kutungulia ndege, pia sitashangaa kama kuan surface-to-surface missiles ambazo zaweza kufyatuliwa na mzinga wenye midomo 20, hiyo kuruka kwa mpigo ktk uwanja wa vita.

Another reader said:

… muhimu ni kufuata sheria za usalama na utunzaji wa silaha mbalimbali,ila ajali huweza kutokea.
Mazingira ama makambi ya jeshi ni mazuri sana, salama, kuna utaratibu safi na utunzaji wa mazingira ni namba moja! ndiyo sababu popote kambi ilipo,raia watasogea na watajenga tuu, ukiangalia maeneo yote hayo yalikuwa misitu minene wakati jeshi lilipo establish makambi lakini with time wananchi wamesogea na wengine wamevamia kabisa! Wakiambiwa waondoke hawataki na wanaenda hadi mahakamani!
makambi kuwepo mjini siyo tatizo, maana hata nchi za wenzetu hilo hilo lipo tena wana mambo ya hatari zaidi ya maghala ya silaha!,
Ila nadhani kuna umuhimu wa kuwafundisha watanzania “raia” mbinu za awali za medani na jinsi ya kusaidia na kujisaidia panapotokea balaa lolote.kwa sasa watz wengi bado “bongo lala” -penye hatari sisi tunakimbilia,utayari na kutambua hatari ni karibu na sifuri -JKT irudishwe upya kuondoa uzembe unaojionyesha na kuweka watu fiti kwa mujibu(kupiga msasa).
Tusipojali haya,it will cost us more than we can imagine!

The government, the military and the police are responding to the situation. Lukwangule has posted a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office promising compensation to all those affected by the blast:

Serikali imeshaanza kugharimia gharama za mazishi kwa watu waliokufa katika ajali hii, na itaangalia jinsi ya kuwapa pole wale waliofiwa ili kupunguza makali ya maisha na kuwasaidia waliopata ulemavu kwa matibabu na vifaa…

And regarding the issue of having military arms depots close to residential areas, Basil Msongo has short post where the Tanzania’s president explains why ammunitions depot is located near residential areas:

Rais Jakaya Kikwete amesema, ghala hilo halikujengwa katika makazi ya watu, kwa kuwa lilijengwa mwaka 1976 nje ya makazi hayo.

Written by J. Nambiza Tungaraza · comments (3)
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The appearance at the Kisutu court of Mra Mgonja, of the former Minister for Finance Basil Pesambili Mramba and of the former Minister for Energy and Minerals, Daniel Ndhira Yona late last month has increased the stakes in the fight against corruption in Tanzania. The former ministers were brought to court last month over the same scandal.

(Photo of one of the court appearances from Mpoki Bukuku's blog Mzee wa Sumo)

In November in another case 20 suspects including business tycoons and Central Bank senior officials were brought to court on charges of conspiracy, forgery, theft and obtaining credit under false pretence through the Bank of Tanzania (BoT)'s External Payment Arrears (EPA) account. The EPA case involves the theft of billions of shillings from the Bank of Tanzania's External Payments Arrears account.

For the best part of 2008 Tanzanians have been waiting to see how President Jakaya Kikwete handles corruption scandals dogging his government. Since the recent arrests, President Kikwete has received praises, even though some are sceptical and are calling for more heads to roll over numerous high profile corruption allegations.

On December 15th, Dr. Faustine of the blog Faustine's Baraza [Sw] gave a tip that the retired Treasury permanent secretary Gray Mgonja was about to be taken to court that morning on allegations of abuse of office. And Bongo Celebrity [Sw] confirmed later on that indeed Mr. Mgonja had appeared in court. Praising the president one reader wrote:

JK BRAVOOOOO!! Umeshaanza kuandikia historia ambayo haijawahi kuandikwa na kiongozi yeyote, si wa Tanzania, Afrika na pengine pia Ulimwengu. Tunaamini kwamba hii ni hatua muhimu sana ya kwanza ili nchi iweze kupiga maendeleo. Bila kuondoa ufisadi nchi haitaweza kupiga hatua zozote za maendeleo.
HONGERA kwa kazi kubwa. TUNAOMBA mwenyezi Mungu azidi kukupa BUSARA na UJASIRI, kwa kuwa hii vita si rahisi na lele-mama kama ambavyo watu wengine wanadhani.
NAOMBA watanzania wote wapenda maendeleo, bila kujali itikadi, tukumbuke ule umoja wetu tuliofundishwa na Mwalimu tumuunge mkono Rais katika vita hii.
MUNGU IBARIKI Tanzania

More hopeful comments were also left in other Tanzanians blogs. In Issa Michuzzi's [Sw] post titled “Breaking neeewwwwwzzzzzz” one comment reads:

Naona mambo yanazidi kuwa mambo. Hawa akina Mgonja waliifanya wizara ya fedha na kodi zetu kuwa shamba la bibi. Ngoja vianze kuwatokea puani. Ngoja sheria ichukue mkondo wake ili liwe fundisho kwa walio kwenye madaraka na wanatumia nafasi zao kuhujumu mali ya umma. Inaweza kusaidia angalau hata kidogo maana hali ilikuwa imefikia pabaya. Mtu anaamua tu kufanya jambo lolote analojisikia ili mradi tu ni mali ya umma. Inasikitisha sana…

While congratulatory comments pour in, others still have doubts about the government's preparedness to go after all high profile figures. In the same post by Issa Michuzi a reader wrote:

hiki ni kiini macho kingine unafikiri kuna cha maana kitakachofanyika zaidi ya kupewa dhamana? halafu kesi kupigwa dana dana hadi watanzania watakaposahau. Kumetokea nini kwa mafisadi wa EPA? wote wako nje kwa dhamana wanakula kuku. vitu kama hivi vinafaidisha vyombo husika vya mahakama kupata posho na hongo kutokana na marekebisho ya masharti ya dhamana. tumeshaushutukia mchezo huu we need to do more and seen to be doing something.

Another sceptic reader at Issa Michuzi's thinks that these corruption charges are part of a political game that started during the last elections:

Nakubaliana na wewe kiasi kidogo kuwa sasa tunaelekea Mahali, Lakini kumbuka kuwa hawa wote wanaopandishwa kizimbani ni kundi la pili ambalo halikuwa upande wa muheshimiwa wakati wa uchaguzi. Hawa walikuwa upande wa Mkapa wakiwa na dhumuni la kumuweka Sumai kwenye kiti hicho. Ambao ndio inasemekana walianzisha fyoko fyoko za Richmond Ili kumuharibia Mkuu asipate tena 2010. Na yeye sasa anawarudia na mbio hizi zinamuelekea Mkapa kama ukichunguza vizuri. Kwahiyo mimi naona huu bado ni mchezo mchafu wa siasa tu.

In all the posts discussing the high profile corruption cases in Tanzania there are calls for more powerful individuals to appear in court. In another post by Issa Michuzi on the EPA case a reader wrote:

Kwa kweli wakamatwe samaki wa aina zote! Nyangumi hadi dagaa! Msituchezee picha halafu mkawaacha nyangumi wakiendelea kututimulia vumbi na ma-epa yao barabarani, na majumba ya mabilioni!…

For more photographs of the accused in court check out the blogs Dr Faustine's Baraza, Issa Michuzi and Mzee wa Sumo here and here.

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Seneta Obama hatimaye ameshinda urais wa Marekani na anakuwa rais wa Kwanza Mweusi kwa historia. John Mc Cain amekuwa wa kwanza kukiri kuwa ameshindwa kiungwana na kumpongeza mwenzake Obama. Hili limekuwa funzo lingine kwa wagombea wetu wa kiafrika na kitanzania wanaposhindwa si kukimbilia mahakamani bali ni kukubali.

Chemi Che Mponda at Swahili Time settled for Barack Obama Wins Election 2008 as the headline. She adds:

Barack Obama ni Rais Mteule wa Marekani!!!! Senator wa Delaware Joe Biden, atakuwa makamu wa rais. Mungu yu mwema! Waafrika na hasa sisi kutoka Afrika Mashariki Tujivunie!
OBAMA UBARIKIWE!

Issa Michuzi just posted a collage of front pages of newspapers all decorated with Obama's victory headlines while Charahani posted photographs of president elect Obama and his family waving to the crowds and of people in tears after the historic win.

In a post titled Obama katoka mbali ati (Obama has come a long way), Issa Michuzi posted a number of Obama's photos. And, as if in a photo essay, Mwaipopo also posted Obama's photos from childhood to the great day. He also observed:

Obama! Obama!
Kila mtaa hapa bongo watu wote ni Obama, Obama kufuatia ushindi wake wa kishindo huko Marekani. Kila baada ya sentensi mbili inayofuatia ina neno ‘Obama'. Pegine wakati wafuasi wake wali0tapakaa ulimwenguni wakishangilia, yeye anatafakari ni kwa namna gani ataitoa Marekani (na sehemu zingene za dunia) hapo zilipo na kuzipeleka pengine palipo bora zaidi. Blogu hii inamtakia kila la heri katika kazi yake hiyo aliyoiomba kwa juhudi zote.

Nkwazi Nkuzi Muhango in Mpayukaji blog, Dira Yangu in Fungua Jicho, and Nukta77 all had the Obama's acceptance speech.

Nukta77 also posts an email from one of her reader's on what Obama should do in relation to Africa:

Obama angehutubia AU na awatake viongozi wa Afrika walifanye bara hili kuwa business patner na sio dampo la majaribio ya sera za mataifa makubwa na misaada”.

Kwa wale wanaotegemea misaada kutoka kwa Obama, ninamshauri Obama asitoe misaada kwani katika kusoma kwangu sijawahi kusikia taifa lolote lile ulimwenguni ambalo limetajirika kwa misaada. Maendeleo hayaletwi kwa wingi wa pesa bali kwa ubunifu, maarifa na kazi. Fedha na misaada ni nyenzo na sio mhimili wa kuleta maendeleo.

Nasikitika kuona kuwa vijana wasomi wetu hawaonyeshi kujifunza kutokana na ushindi wa Obama. Wale vijana wa Vyuoni wamebaki kucheza ‘twist' wakati muziki unaopigwa ni ‘bongo flava'!

To acknowledge this historic event Chemi wants Obama's sculpture to be added at Mt. Rushmore. A reader though, calls for caution:

Pamoja na kuwa shabiki wa Obama lakini ni bado mapema sana kwake kuwa mmoja wa marais mashuhuri Marekani.Dada Chemi inabidi athibitishe katika mandate period na ikiisha ndio tuzungumzie hilo.Hao waliopo kwenye Mt Rushmore waliwekwa pale baada ya kumaliza uatwala wao.

In Dar Es Salaam, Issa Michuzi took some photos of people wearing Obama's T-shirts. But the extent of Obamamania started even before he was elected when Tshirts designed by a local artist Mayunga and a Swahili book on Obama written by a Swahili blogger, Mjengwa were often sold out as recorded by CNN in this video found at Nukta77 blog:

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Newspapers have described the tragedy as “the biggest in Tanzania's history” and “the worst-ever disaster during Eid al-Fitr”.

Organisers of the young people's disco popularly known in Tanzania as ‘Toto disco' have been arrested for investigation.

Blogger Faustine's Baraza posts photos of the disco hall and bodies in a mortuary and so does Issa Michuzi.

Some of the readers have called for better safety practices:

TUWEKE MBELE HEALTH AND SAFETY PRACTICES. TOTALLY UNNECESSARY AND AVOIDABLE DEATHS. SIJUI LINI TUTAJIFUNZA!!

And in the same post another reader says:

Tukio kama hili linahitaji Rais Jakaya kwenda kutoa pole, hasa inapozingatiwa kwamba huwa anahudhuria ajali za watu ambao huwa wanamajina pale Muhimbili. Hili ni swala kubwa na sio kumtuma Mh. Kapuya.
Anatakiwa kuwasili katika eneo la tukio na kukagua , kutoa pole na pia kuhutubia wananchi.
Pia ni wakati wa TZ, hasa Fire marshal kuanza kuangalia uwezo wa sehemu za disco kuchukua kiasi fulani cha watu na njia za tahadhari (Exit)kama hali kama hii ikitikoea.Ikiwa ni pamoja na kuwa na Genereta, na wasaidiza wa haraka.

Msimbe of Lukwangule Entertainment writes that two people have been arrested for questioning including the manager of One Ten Disco and the manager of Bubbles Night Club in addition to the two directors of the two discos who were arrested earlier.

Issa Michuzi, in one of the series of posts about the incident has a post by a special correspondent stating that the Tanzanian President has ordered a full investigation about the causes of deaths.

Local government in Tabora has already set up an investigating commission. Some readers think that the local government is one of the culprits that caused to the tragedy and place the blame on the local governments in the first place:

Maeneo ya Wazi ya wapi mjini Tabora?Je,kuna uwanja wa mabembea na michezo ya watoto japo mmoja tu katika mji mzima wa Tabora?Kosa la nani?Asitafutwe mchawi hapa au kurushiana lawama.Poor Leadership in Government Institutions is the cause of all this. Mpaka watoto zetu wafe ndipo viongozi wakurupuke na kujifanya wanahusika kwelikweli kumbe usanii tu!What a Pity?Viwanja vyao vya michezo vingekuwepo mtoto gani angefikiria aende disco aache mabembea?too much politicking!Nothing Doing,eti tuna Doctorate Degrees!Za kubandika ukutani?

While sympathising with the families of the victims many of the comments have been directed at the local government and the need for better risk management:

Nawapa pole wafiwa na wanatabora wote kwa janga hili la kitaifa. Tunajifunza nini kwa hili?
1. Maafa na ajali zinazomaliza maelfu ya watanzania ni vitu vya mpito tu na serikali haitilii maanani kuyapunguza. Ripoti za chang'ombe, Kisutu, muhimbili zimefanya nini kupunguza majanga haya?
2. Tutaunda tume 100 lakini hazisaidii kumaliza majanga kwa sababu ya kutokuwa makini na kujali maisha ya watu wa kawaida.
3. Kama watoto hawatakiwi kwenda disco, je serikali mkoani tabora hawakuona hilo?
4. Kama wanaruhusiwa kwa masharti, basi NSSF (mmiliki), Mpiga Disco (mkaribishaji)na Manispaa (dhamana ya ukaguzi) wawajibishwe kikamilifu.
Watanzania mliopo nyumbani wakumbusheni viongozi majukumu yao kwa kupinga haya mambo. Wanasheria wasaidieni waathirika na hakikisheni wanapata “fair and adequate compensation” na iwe fundisho kwa wengine.

Written by J. Nambiza Tungaraza · comments (1)
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