In Tanzania, individuals do not overshadow party organs and structures

[bagamoyo]

Nairobi, Kenya
Jamuary 19, 2013

Kenyans have failed to invest in political parties

By David Ohito

Kenyans have reaped what they sowed in political parties. The return on investments they got is the mess that have been the nominations.

We should not be surprised. The Centre for Multiparty Democracy and several political observers argue parties lack requisite structures and funds to be strong.

But why are Kenyans crying foul when they have failed to invest in political parties? Where are the middle class who are now blowing hot air on social media? Ask them to say which parties they belong to and why and you will understand that their rants online are part of the problems dogging Kenya.

The Political Parties Act has failed to restore sanity and confidence in political parties. Prof Karuti Kanyinga and the South Consulting survey shows confidence levels in parties stand at a paltry 49 per cent.

In its heydays, independence party Kanu was what it was because of State support.

The State should support not just the ruling party but others that meet the minimum threshold of having received at least five per cent of the vote in an election.

Political parties in Tanzania have strong structures. Unlike Kenya, individuals do not overshadow party organs and structures. CCM and even smaller parties like CUF, Chadema, and NCCR have real structures and institutional mechanisms because of the substantive State subvention that they have been receiving. These parties have formidable assets. African National Congress recalled Thabo Mbeki and suspended youth leader Malema.

Kenyan political parties are a reflection of the kind of society that we are. We are a last minute society. Is it just now that we are discovering the sorry state of our parties?

Read the full article source: Standard Digital News - Kenya : Opinion : Kenyans have failed to invest in political parties

 

[Bantugbro]

Great article David.:A S thumbs_up:

 

[Geza Ulole]

To the point! We had NARC, then PNU and ODM and now CORD, Jubilee, Eagle, Alliance for Real Change, Pambazuka and Amani! then there are parties Peoples Patriotic Party of Kenya, Restore and Build Kenya, People's Democratic Union and Safina and indepenent candidates Waqambo Qambo, Stephen Owoko, Peter Luta and Thomas Maitai all eyeing fot presidency. I tell u these coalitions defy the logic of sending home poor performers since they r smarter than voters to jump parties or join coalitions that sell most at the moment! coming 2018 none of these will be alive after carrying out their mess but trust me the politicians will be energized and kicking to use another vehicles to return to the Government! Unfortunately none of Kenyans understand what Martha Karua under Narc Kenya is doing...

 

[Lukolo]

Duh, na CCM inakuwa praised katika vyama vyenye structure nzuri Tanzania? Mbona ndani ya CCM kuna watu binafsi ambao wanaogopwa zaidi kuliko mstakabali wa chama chenyewe? Hivi hakuwa Kikwete aliyesema anawaogopa mafisadi wa EPA kwa kuwa wakiguswa tu nchi itayumba? Kama kuna watu ndani ya CCM wana nguvu kuliko hata nchi, ni kwa vipi kitukuzwe kwamba kina structure ambayo individual hana nguvu kuliko chama?

Mimi naamini hapa ilikuwa inatosha kutaja CHADEMA, CUF na NCCR tu ambavyo angalau vimethubutu hata kufukuza madiwani na wabunge wealiokwenda kinyume na chama bila kujali wana influence kiasi gani ndani ya chama na kwa wananchi.

Simuungi mkono mwandishi kutokana na kuitaja CCM katika vyama vyenye mfumo mzuri Tanznaia.

 

[Geza Ulole]

Duh, na CCM inakuwa praised katika vyama vyenye structure nzuri Tanzania? Mbona ndani ya CCM kuna watu binafsi ambao wanaogopwa zaidi kuliko mstakabali wa chama chenyewe? Hivi hakuwa Kikwete aliyesema anawaogopa mafisadi wa EPA kwa kuwa wakiguswa tu nchi itayumba? Kama kuna watu ndani ya CCM wana nguvu kuliko hata nchi, ni kwa vipi kitukuzwe kwamba kina structure ambayo individual hana nguvu kuliko chama?

Mimi naamini hapa ilikuwa inatosha kutaja CHADEMA, CUF na NCCR tu ambavyo angalau vimethubutu hata kufukuza madiwani na wabunge wealiokwenda kinyume na chama bila kujali wana influence kiasi gani ndani ya chama na kwa wananchi.

Simuungi mkono mwandishi kutokana na kuitaja CCM katika vyama vyenye mfumo mzuri Tanznaia.

pata the gist behind the story hata kama wanaogopwa hawawezi kutoka na kunzisha chama kama mchezo unaofanyika Kenya sasa watagombana lakini watang'ang'ania kubaki CCM na kugombea kupitia CCM au vyama vya upinzani vilivyo na muundo bora wa kitaasisi na vyenye mizizi katika siasa ukiachia mbali suala zima la ufisadi!

 

[Kabaridi]

kuanzisha chama kama 'mchezo' ni mwanzo mpya na ndio imesaidia kenya kutotekwa nyara na wahuni... na tena demokrasia inaendelea kuboreka. we will boast of a practical democracy. Kumbuka Kibaki alikampeini mwaka wa 2002 kwa chama cha DP na kuingia uongozini kwa tiketi cha narc. mwaka wa 2007 kaingia kwa tiketi ya PNU...sasa anaenda kustaafu.

Ajabu Geza Ulole hukutaja KANU katika post nambari 3 licha ya kuwa imebeba watu wenye historia chungu. Hata hivi ninavoona KANU kama ambavyo CCM na CHADEMA hufanya wanajaribu kujilinda kuishi miaka na miaka kujitengenezea ngome ya kuzingira mafisadi na familia zao. KANU itaelekea kupotelea baada ya miaka miwili mitano.

Anga za Siasa za kenya zinageuka kwa kasi, na najua hii itatendeka hivi karibuni TZ, ndio mafisadi kule wataleta mivutano na migongano, TZ be ready! subiri!

 

[Geza Ulole]

kuanzisha chama kama 'mchezo' ni mwanzo mpya na ndio imesaidia kenya kutotekwa nyara na wahuni... na tena demokrasia inaendelea kuboreka. we will boast of a practical democracy. Kumbuka Kibaki alikampeini mwaka wa 2002 kwa chama cha DP na kuingia uongozini kwa tiketi cha narc. mwaka wa 2007 kaingia kwa tiketi ya PNU...sasa anaenda kustaafu.

Ajabu Geza Ulole hukutaja KANU katika post nambari 3 licha ya kuwa imebeba watu wenye historia chungu. Hata hivi ninavoona KANU kama ambavyo CCM na CHADEMA hufanya wanajaribu kujilinda kuishi miaka na miaka kujitengenezea ngome ya kuzingira mafisadi na familia zao. KANU itaelekea kupotelea baada ya miaka miwili mitano.

Anga za Siasa za kenya zinageuka kwa kasi, na najua hii itatendeka hivi karibuni TZ, ndio mafisadi kule wataleta mivutano na migongano, TZ be ready! subiri!

kwa hiyo unamaanisha coalitions zilizopo hazina ufisadi sio? na kama wahusika walitoka vyama vyenye kashfa kama KANU na PNU unaweza vipi kunihakikishia hiyo ni demokrasia? na kama nyinyi ni wakenya mnavyopiga kura hapo March ni wangapi watakuwa wameshasoma na kuelewa parties/coalitions manifestos by then kutuhakikishia kwamba hamchagui individuals bali sera? u got democracy wrong sorry to tell u that democracy goes with institutionalization :smile:

 

[Mekatilili]

No offense but Tanzania is where Kenya was in the early 90s. Tanzania is still dominated by one party and does not have an opposition or multi party political system to speak of.

The main party CCM is an institution that is synonymous with the country as it is the case in dictatorships, communism, and socialism. By the look of things CCM is set to rule Tanzania for another 20 years!

 

[Kabaridi]

u got democracy wrong sorry to tell u that democracy goes with institutionalization :smile:

Nataka ushuhudie kilichotendeka kwenye primaries. You have seen big names fall and those that had clinched regional politics with family roots are awaking to the new idea of a kenyan democracy. Wata tangatanga kwenye vyama lakini the power has been given to the voter to ultimately decides who they vote in. Vyama ndio vimetugharimu hata kukawa na hate politics ndani ya kenya. lakini kwenye miungano, ni vigumu chama kudominate siasa.

 

[Geza Ulole]

Nataka ushuhudie kilichotendeka kwenye primaries. You have seen big names fall and those that had clinched regional politics with family roots are awaking to the new idea of a kenyan democracy. Wata tangatanga kwenye vyama lakini the power has been given to the voter to ultimately decides who they vote in. Vyama ndio vimetugharimu hata kukawa na hate politics ndani ya kenya. lakini kwenye miungano, ni vigumu chama kudominate siasa.

all via looting and property destruction ati? do u call that democracy or thuggery? u really need to learn the meaning of a word democracy!

 

[Kabaridi]

all via looting and property destruction ati? do u call that democracy or thuggery? u really need to learn the meaning of a word democracy!

I did not want to talk about the the current government but after the march polls PS many have acredited it for "transformational" achievements but failed on accountabilty.

 

[Geza Ulole]

No offense but Tanzania is where Kenya was in the early 90s. Tanzania is still dominated by one party and does not have an opposition or multi party political system to speak of.

The main party CCM is an institution that is synonymous with the country as it is the case in dictatorships, communism, and socialism. By the look of things CCM is set to rule Tanzania for another 20 years!

U r a joke for real 😛ray2:... to call what u have is democracy in multiparty system other than chaos and parochial politics that exclude minorities! I tell u we r going in a sure and right direction we have two strong oppositions CHADEMA and CUF and one CHADEMA scooped over 30% of presidential votes in the last election (CCM ~66%), though no total numbers have to date been released cause of CCM mafioso attitude and poor electoral laws!

I am pretty sure 2015 parliament will be 50/50 btn opposition and CCM (probably will be in opposition officially) though it will have taken us 20 years to dislodge CCM! The good thing is we will be submitting our state in proper hands i.e. a trusted institution from opposition!

As for Kenya has never been in this state Moi made one grave mistake to nominate UK and the next thing was defection from KANU en masse! Otherwise KANU would have ruled 100 years to come cause u r ethnically divided nation. U would have never reached a compromise to unite and form a formidable one force to dislodge KANU! Thank RAO for where u r now he single handedly instituted dissidence and nominate Kibaki to seduce Kikuyus who were already finding the manouvres were aiming at locking them out of higher office!....since UK is their son and this factor could have made KANU win overwhelming if not RAO's careful calculated political tactics !

As a result of that structural unorganized coup, u don't have parties but personalities till today that form coalitions that r hard to maintain out of lack of loyalty and trust. I hope u have an idea how coalitions frustrate the government since each member party always want its agenda to be met with the seating government! I hope too that u r aware there are things like MOU that none of u know about. What r the agreement these parties made? U should feel ashamed and put Ghana where u try to put Kenya when we talk of democracy since Githongo has explained what Kenya has pretty well!

 

[Bantugbro]

Duh, na CCM inakuwa praised katika vyama vyenye structure nzuri Tanzania? Mbona ndani ya CCM kuna watu binafsi ambao wanaogopwa zaidi kuliko mstakabali wa chama chenyewe? Hivi hakuwa Kikwete aliyesema anawaogopa mafisadi wa EPA kwa kuwa wakiguswa tu nchi itayumba? Kama kuna watu ndani ya CCM wana nguvu kuliko hata nchi, ni kwa vipi kitukuzwe kwamba kina structure ambayo individual hana nguvu kuliko chama?

Mimi naamini hapa ilikuwa inatosha kutaja CHADEMA, CUF na NCCR tu ambavyo angalau vimethubutu hata kufukuza madiwani na wabunge wealiokwenda kinyume na chama bila kujali wana influence kiasi gani ndani ya chama na kwa wananchi.

Simuungi mkono mwandishi kutokana na kuitaja CCM katika vyama vyenye mfumo mzuri Tanznaia.

Mkuu unashangaa nini, habari yenyewe imeandikwa na David Ohito kutoka Kenya. Kwa maoni yake yeye hata CCM ni bora kuliko sarakasi za siasa walizo nazo huko....

 

[Namtih58]

..... one CHADEMA scooped over 30% of presidential votes in the last election (CCM ~66%), though no total numbers have to date been released .........

I am pretty sure 2015 parliament will be 50/50 btn opposition and CCM (probably will be in opposition officially) ...

......Otherwise KANU would have ruled 100 years to come cause u r ethnically divided nation. U would have never reached a compromise to unite and form a formidable one force to dislodge KANU! Thank RAO for where u r now he single handedly instituted dissidence ....

........I hope u have an idea how coalitions frustrate the government since each member party always want its agenda to be met with the seating government!......

I beg to disagree with you. First of all you project a rosy picture in the future of a 50/50 parliament based on 66/30 percentages ambazo sijui zilitolewa wapi ikiwa TOTAL NUMBERS hadi sasa, kama ulivyosema mwenyewe, hazijatolewa. You cannot defend your argument if all your points are based on speculation.

You say KANU would have ruled for 100 years, again speculation, the reality is KANU was hated by majority of Kenyans just as CCM is. The only reason people became members was because njaa kali, fear and government machinations (remember the days of mlolongo voting. The gov did that so they could identify those who did not tow the line).

The mass exodus from was not because of UK it was because people were finally free to leave!

You talk of RAO single handedly instituting dissidence, kumbuka kenya wamekuwa wakipigania demokrasia a katiba mpya zaidi ya miaka ishirini, watu kama Matiba, Rubia na wengine wengi suffered for kenya to be where they are!

Talking of coalitions and how they frustrate the Gov. Kenya has achieved more with those coalitions than it did with a single party in power. I for one would bear the frustrations you speak of if there is development to be seen as is evident in KE

 

[Geza Ulole]

I beg to disagree with you. First of all you project a rosy picture in the future of a 50/50 parliament based on 66/30 percentages ambazo sijui zilitolewa wapi ikiwa TOTAL NUMBERS hadi sasa, kama ulivyosema mwenyewe, hazijatolewa. You cannot defend your argument if all your points are based on speculation.

You say KANU would have ruled for 100 years, again speculation, the reality is KANU was hated by majority of Kenyans just as CCM is. The only reason people became members was because njaa kali, fear and government machinations (remember the days of mlolongo voting. The gov did that so they could identify those who did not tow the line).

The mass exodus from was not because of UK it was because people were finally free to leave!

You talk of RAO single handedly instituting dissidence, kumbuka kenya wamekuwa wakipigania demokrasia a katiba mpya zaidi ya miaka ishirini, watu kama Matiba, Rubia na wengine wengi suffered for kenya to be where they are!

Talking of coalitions and how they frustrate the Gov. Kenya has achieved more with those coalitions than it did with a single party in power. I for one would bear the frustrations you speak of if there is development to be seen as is evident in KE

Of course u compare ur coalition to Moi's Govt :israel: ! I tell u in a situation that there is a parliament that no opposition exists, every party is a government there is no check and balance! That's why u have MPs with salaries that r highest in the World and ur external debt has skyrocketed and corruption unabated since it is time to eat for everyone! And impunity that maintains status quo, is an order of the day! BTW i repeat RAO was the architect of KANU demise! Though there were many KANU opponents, Only RAO had quts to initiate Moi rebellion no other politician dared to do so..

 

[Namtih58]

Of course u compare ur coalition to Moi's Govt :israel: ..

But of course I will compare the current KE gov to MO1's Gov. Who would you rather I compare Kibakis gov. to Kenyatta's?

The reason Kenyan Mp's have some of the highest salaries in the world, is because, before the new constitution the law of the land allowed them to set their own salaries. The greed that is inherently exhibited by politicians led them to exercise their legal right to increase their salaries (Dont get it twisted I am not saying it was right or that it was ethical I am saying It was Legal).

The new constitution however takes care of that by forming an independent body to to harmonize all salaries in government not just the MP's since KE'ans realized that the problem goes beyond just MP's.

When you talk about external debt, KE's is not that different from TZ's

Now when you consider TZ got Debt relief, this shows how the coalition Gov of KE has actually been working even with all the wrangling and curruption.

If we also look at the inflation rate

You can see that TZ has been steadily rising, while that of kenya has alot of flactuations it is slowly falling.

Granted though TZ average GDP lingers on 6+ while KE average lingers at around 4+

More roads have been added/tarmacked in KE during coalition than during the 20+ years of MO1 rule. That is not including all the other infrastructure projects from power to water supply.

We can argue all day but one thing is for sure KE as a country is transforming itself at a rate very few countries in Africa can boast of, it has taken a long time but it is happening. It is not the result of an individual but the culmination of the efforts of a great many who sacrificed so KE'ans could benefit.

Claiming that RAO single handedly brought down KANU is like claiming the Mandela single handedly brought down apartheid you leave out a great many who had a hand in the process.

Take it for what its worth.

 

[Geza Ulole]

facts remain facts no politician came open and say he opposes Moi's nominating UK for presidency till when RAO did

 

[mfianchi]

Duh, na CCM inakuwa praised katika vyama vyenye structure nzuri Tanzania? Mbona ndani ya CCM kuna watu binafsi ambao wanaogopwa zaidi kuliko mstakabali wa chama chenyewe? Hivi hakuwa Kikwete aliyesema anawaogopa mafisadi wa EPA kwa kuwa wakiguswa tu nchi itayumba? Kama kuna watu ndani ya CCM wana nguvu kuliko hata nchi, ni kwa vipi kitukuzwe kwamba kina structure ambayo individual hana nguvu kuliko chama?

Mimi naamini hapa ilikuwa inatosha kutaja CHADEMA, CUF na NCCR tu ambavyo angalau vimethubutu hata kufukuza madiwani na wabunge wealiokwenda kinyume na chama bila kujali wana influence kiasi gani ndani ya chama na kwa wananchi.

Simuungi mkono mwandishi kutokana na kuitaja CCM katika vyama vyenye mfumo mzuri Tanznaia.

Kinyume na mwandishi anavyodai hivi vyama vya kisiasa Tanzania vina wenyewe,ukiangalia kwa muda mrefu wenye maamuzi kwenye CCM ni wale wale akina Mkapa,Kingunge,Mwinyi,Kinana,Kikwete,Lowasa,Anna Abdalla,Msekwa,Meghji,na Chadema ni Mzee Mtei na mkwewe Mbowe,Slaa na Ndesamburo,wengine wote ni wapiga filimbi wa Hamelin,hata kwa sasa CCM ipo chini ya Lowassa (kwa watu wa Magamba huo ndio ukweli wenyewe)

 

[Kabaridi]

TZ bila shaka vyama vimeendelea maana kama mwandishi anavosema, watz wameekeza kwenye vyama. lakini yaonekana mwandishi bado yuko kwenye dunia ya kale. Haelwei kuwa kenya imebadilika na angependelea tu kudumishwa kwa vyama na uovu uendelee ufisadi bila uwajibikaji nk.

Ninasikitika kuwa waandishi wanataka kusifu udikteta

 

[Kabaridi]

Kile ninachofahamu Geza Ulole kuhusu siasa za Raila ni huwa anatamba sana ndani ya miungano, ajabu hata alivoungana na KANU mwaka wa 2008 hakuwa na azimio kama alivokuwa nayo kibaki kuunda chama cha DP. Kuungana kwake na KANU inadhihirisha alijibainisha na uongozi wa moi. unafiki huo wa kusema alichochea mass exodus kwenye KANU ni brain child ya raila sijui ingemsaidia vipi. Tena ni ajabu kinachotuwacha vinywa wazi ni kwa nini alisisitiza kibaki "tosha"? kwa nini hakuendeleza sera zake kwenye NDP/LDP.

Akaja na siasa za kuweka mikataba, inasemekana ana mikataba/MOU na wanasiasa wengi, kama Ngilu, marehemu wamalwa, nyachae, ukiongezea na mkataba aliyoweka saini na kibaki halafu malizia na ile alioweka na wanaofadhili vuguvugu la (MRC) ambao ni kundi imetengwa na viongozi na masheikh waasi kwenye uongozi wa dini ya kislamu kuleta maandamano, michafuko, na kuvuruga hali za siasa za kenya na viungani mwa mombasa to make kenya ungovernable. yes that is the logic behind raila's campaign, ambao ilitumika sana kwenye mataifa demokrasia za ghana na hata ivory coast na hivi maajuzi dikteta morsey wa misri ameweza kuingia madarakani. Ninachofurahi ni kama taifa kenya tumeweka misingi thabiti ya kisiasa, na hali ya political crisis inaosababishwa na jamii ya kimataifa katika matiafa ya afrika haiwezi kamwe kuweka madikteta kwenya urais.

ikija katika kujua party manifesto ya chama, tulikuwa na chama tawala cha kanu ambao ndio walikuwa na manifesto iliyotolewa ulaya, lakini kando na hayo taifa liliendelea kuharibiwa na ufisadi ukashamiri. Kwa sasa hatutaki viongozi ambao wanaongoza kwa vyeti kama MOU, manifesto nk, tunataka viongozi wakuwatumika wanachi.

Mwaka wa 2002, raila katika muungano wa Rainbow aliwahakikishia wakenya katiba mpya baada ya siku mia moja ya kuingia uongozini, je alitimiza hayo? lakini ahadi zake zimkuwa tu ni porojo za kupitisha wakati kwenye Kampeini. Nikimalizia, ni Raila ana rekodi ya kumuhondoa moi mamlakani au ni rainbow coalition?