E.AFRICA: PRESS FREEDON IS THE ONLY BEACON OF HOPE WHERE PARLIAMENT IS A RUBBER STAMP

Call it political tsunami that has shaken the political foundation of the Tanzanian government but it’s a grand change and kikwete thumbs up. For most of us in Kenya and Uganda this kind of talk is so distant and sounds metaphorical in nature. We are used to the news of this minister and that minister being involved in shoddy deals and they are not brought to book! anyway who cares after all even the past leaders stole, it’s our time to stuck full our coffers come the day one enters public office,” I mean swim in public money”. The press though not wholly with help of some opposition MPs but of course notwithstanding presidential willingness catalytically set the resignation cycle into motion.

The trend of deficient ministers and the many powers they wield are a stumbling block to free the investigative press that seeks to unbury their filth. In such events leading to the Tanzanian mass resignation drama, and in a rare attack on press, unknown assailants stormed an editorial office in Dar es Salaam to try and silence the journalists who were publishing news about a host of corruption scandals haunting the Government bigwigs. One journalist splattered with a light acid solution that blinded him immediately while the other sustained minor injuries with a cutlass. They have since re-emerged and still going strong with their investigative writing.
The president quickly threw his weight behind the journalists’ cause a rare occurrence in east Africa, Kikwete is the newest breed of east African presidents who listen to the populations and is so loved for so, supports the constructive criticism of the press unlike Kibaki or museveni who always strengthen the press with stern measure to curtail their activities.
Does he have the guts however to encourage his peers to speak ,act like him for purposes of furthering the east African federation, an east African federation that puts its people at centre stage is a gem that others should be envy. The wrangling and blood letting that has dogged the Kenyan political theatre has tarnished our countries as an investment not to mention tourism as a favorite spot on the continent.
The endless rebel wars in northern Uganda, the imminent legislations to afford Ugandan so “powerful” land grabbers threaten private property ownership a pillar in foreign investment norms. It’s only too real for a cross examination of leadership code of conduct, credibility to afford our peoples a good future.
The press in Kenya and Uganda and Tanzania has still a big duty to inform the leaders without biasness or fear of reprisals as to what guidelines Government conducts business.