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wasike Wasike said:I am Kenyan.
I have been reading contributions from my Tanzanian brothers for the past one month. I like the openness - i respect opinions, especially those against EA federation.
It is probably true that Kenyans and Ugandans would be rough players, unfair competitors for fair, peace-loving Tanzanians. Rwanda and Burundi have many wounds to heal after the 1990's genocide.
The truth is:
1) Many countries of the world are benefiting from unions - take the United States for example, during the civil war, millions of people from southern states did not support the federation. The union was not formed until the northern states (led by the Union Army) defeated the southern Confederate soldiers. People lost their lives.
2) Another example - is the EU. Citizens of member states of the EU can't be any happier. Benefits range from economic, social and political. The only way to influence the world today is when you have influence. Influence begins with population and economic might, and political stability. If other people are sitting and articulating policies in one voice, how come we can't do it.
3) Incase of a war (God forbid) - just like in 1994 Tanzania will be forced to accept refugees from neighboring countries. The same thing happened in the 70's when Uganda wa fighting. Tanzanians are very generous people - and we (other EAC) countries ought to sit down, listen and learn the secret to fairness, kindness, and generosity. The point is, when one is in trouble, they seek help from the closest neighbor before they go somewhere else. I like South Africa and its politics However, it would wrong, in my opinion, for Tanzania to view South Africa as a closer ally than Kenya, Uganda and our brother in Rwanda and Burundi. We have many things in common and we need to accept this as a fact.
4) The Hutu and Tutsi people will NOT be a problem for EAC - why? Because any kind of battle will not be against each other, but rather against other 110 million people in other states. When E Africans embrace Rwanda and Burundi, the rebels against the 2 governments will loose it place. We, Kenya Tanzania and Uganda, have a responsibility to help these countries heal their wounds through EA federation.
5) What about the LRA and Charles Kony in Uganda? He will be tamed too. He will no longer have Ugandan government as the enemy - and he will NOT attempt to fight an Army representing more than 100 million people.
6) Kenyan tribalism will have NO PLACE in the federation. The aggressive Luo leaders will have to convince 100 million people that they are worth being leaders before they are voted in. Guess what - if we do not like them, they can't force their way to presidency. The same with Kikuyus - they will no longer be thinking about themselves as being the majority tribe. I am from the Luhya tribe - we vote for leaders from different political parties, not like the former two that only vote for certain people when instructed by their political and tribal chiefs. The Kamba, Somali, Mijikenda (including the sociable Swahili) and of late the Kalenjins are very diverse in political choices. There are many people in Kenya who are tired of the Kikuyu-Luo domination. The point i am trying to make is: EA federation will help Kenyans think beyond their tribes. I know millions of people are willing to do exactly that. Corruption will also die because a corrupt Kenyan, will anger not just a section of Kenyans, but also more than 70 million East Africans. The latter from a majority so impeachment will be a common term. We will NOT stand any unfairness perpetrated on any of our citizens.
The Way out:
1) If, and when we form a federation, views (especially dissenting) - like the ones being voiced in this forum MUST be taken seriously. Representatives from different countries will be looking for a common ground to accommodate everyones concerns. Laws (and many of them) will be drafted that will not favor any tribe or country. Already, Tanzanians are complaining of anticipated domination by other citizens. Regulations will be put in place to be fair to every group, region and country.
2) We should not worry about current presidents being presidents of the Union. My take on this is that, our laws will include regulations about presidency say its rotating presidency restricted to 2 terms, by the time it passes around to 2-3 states, the current presidents will be too old and they would not be serious contenders. Again, say if Kibaki or Museveni runs, and we do not like him we choose someone else. The union will not be run like a military regime. Wananchi will have an option of rejecting non popular leaders.
I hope you read all the above. Kwaherini ndugu zangu.
mzatiti@yahoo.com
Kassam said:Have you been to Tanzania? I am here. I think Tanzania dont need to wait, Tanzania should stop thinking about East Africa. After all ordinary people have never and will never get the benefits if at all we'll join. Tanzania can join effectively only if everything is sold including government. If we sold public enterprises for reason that they were not perfoming, why not government which is at sleep? The best option Tanzanians have is to form a federation within itself before thinking of EAF. Private sector is doing well, improved quality/quantity than before, good management, paying taxes which of course we here it in figures but nothing has changed in public services. The government is proud of improving infrastructure especially road transport, but indeed we have borrowed to finance it! Ordinary Tanzanians dont know they'll pay for it + interest.
Generally the private sector is nourishing but covered with thorns and bushes from gvts' very poor administration system you have ever seen. The only obstacle to the EAF is the leadership itself, peolple arent convinced that this gvt will do anything better for their country after joining. They have failed as single entity, how can they as a big EAF?
If you take a look at illegal immigrants working in Tanzania, and here the public voices condemning it with no any sort of reaction from government, you'll get the point why most Tanzanians dont want EAF.
kassamv@yahoo.com.
wOrM said:ndabita, hiyo blogger inanilazimisha kufanya usajili, mi sipendi kusajiliwa kule nifanyeje? huwezi kutumwagia madude hapa? kwani hiyo ni wewe umeandika kwa Spika? Nilikuwa nakusubiria kwa usongo uje na madudez
-----------------------------------------Unregistered said:I am Kenyan and after reading all the crap you think about us, Tanzania is the last place I want to visit or live on earth. You are welcome to live in Kenya. We do not hate anybody.
It's apparent u hate Kenyans with a passion.Good for u.Your hate is somehow helping unite the Kenyans.A trol through the Kenyan blodworld will confirm that.Your hate,our gain.You dig.TzPride said:-----------------------------------------
Don't even think of coming down here, we have alot of Kenyans a.k.a Nyang'aus already greedly roaming around. One thing you need to know, Kenyans are so self centred. I'm personally a victim of Kenyan discrimination; I worked for a Kenyan company with almost 90% kenyans of the same tribe. These ppl are surely arrongant, selfish and foreign culture worshipers- you would think they are British, they way they treat you if you dont speak english! They belielive intelligence resides in english language. Njonjo descendant!
I cant imagine have ferderation with these ppl, civil war is inevitable.
Unregistered said:It's apparent u hate Kenyans with a passion.Good for u.Your hate is somehow helping unite the Kenyans.A trol through the Kenyan blodworld will confirm that.Your hate,our gain.You dig.