Comment: The Politics of Party Defection in Tanzania

Political party defection is a sign of unstable party democracy and/or jockeying for political positions. Defections happen from ruling party to the opposition and from the opposition to the ruling party. In African fledgling democracies, party defections are not about ideology or philosophic underpinnings. Party switching in many African states is largely driven by ethno-demographic and religious factors. These factors have also informed political party formation. Party switching is also a strategic political manoeuvring. Despite Tanzania boasting of national parties, political party strength is largely regional. We're now witnessing a surge in party defections from across the parties.

The defection of former PM Edward Lowassa from CCM to Chadema in 2015 was monumental, especially it coming just before a general election. The election season several high-profile defections. Defections from a dominant ruling party like CCM to the opposition is always huge. CCM's single party dominance has continuously been challenged. There has been attempts at opposition unity and we’re now witnessing defections. CCM is also benefitting from defections from the opposition. It has become a show of who can reap more from the defections!

My analysis: This is a sign of dissatisfaction in how parties are being run in Tanzania. It is also an indication that despite CCM's dominance, there is a growing apathy within the party which is causing these defections. With the opposition losing its members through defections, it means there is something wrong in their parties. Despite CCM’ dwindling fortunes, opposition switching allegiances means that it remains a core party whose legacy resonates with the national character of Tanzania.   

Why Kisii Women Make the Best Wives [My wife's take]

My wife sent me this piece in the Standard on why Kisii women make the best wives. I responded that yes, indeed as article argues, Kisii women actually make the best wives. Here is the link to the article, which among other things argues that Kisii women are submissive, compassionate, homekeepers, motherly and self reliant. 

Kenya's Supreme Court Upholds Uhuru Kenyatta's victory

The Supreme Court of Kenya upheld Uhuru Kenyatta's controversial win after it had ordered a fresh elections in a judgement on 1 September 2017. A fresh election which was boycotted by the main opposition NASA, was conducted on 26 October. Uhuru Kenyatta won by 98.2% in an election that witnessed extreme low voter turnout. Two petitions were filed challenging his victory. The Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision concluded that the petitions challenging Mr. Kenyatta's victory lacked merit. 

Zimbabwe Army Coup?

My Facebook Post: Listening to various commentaries on BBC this morning on the situation in Zimbabwe, there is a great pointer to the fact there has been a military coup. One MDC MP even observes that the ousted VP Emerson Mnangagwa might have a hand in the coup. It is alleged Mnangagwa met the army general Chiwenga. The analysis is that the military cannot allow Grace Mugabe to succeed the husband because she didn't take part in the liberation war. Grace is the architect of the fall of Mnangwagwa. This is just a prelude to what will happen after Bob is gone. Murky! #Zimbabwe#ZANUPF

Analysis: Lebanon prime minister's resignation

Marwan Bishara analyses Lebanon PM Saad Hairi’s resignation.

#KenyaElectionDiaries: One Election; Two tales

I had gone to refill my cooking gas at Githurai when the news that Uhuru Kenyatta had been announced as winner in the re-run elections broke. Jubilant tunes and dance broke. Matatus and Bodaboda hooted, men, women and children whistled in delight. The Kenyan flags where being sold at 50 bob. The jubilee flags were free! They all danced in jubilation. I met a former security guard of USIU who was rather gloomy and unperturbed by the celebration. I asked him subtly what the celebration was all about. He grinned and said "Uhuru wao ameshinda". The few people I interacted with spoke to me in Kikuyu. I smiled and told them "Tano tena" As I drove off towards the now crowded Githurai roundabout they chanted "Tanzania Tuko Pamoja" when they saw my car registration. I put on the hazard lights and hooted as I drove off! #KenyaElectionDiaries

Lazaro Nyalandu Ajiondoa CCM

Kutoka Ukurasa wa Facebook wa Lazaro Nyalandu 

NIMEAMUA kujiuzulu NAFASI yangu ya Ujumbe wa Halmashauri Kuu ya Chama Cha Mapinduzi CCM, pamoja na nafasi zote za Uongozi ndani ya Chama kuanzia leo, Oktoba 30, 2017.

HALIKADHALIKA, asubuhi ya leo nimemwandikia Spika wa Bunge, Mh. Job Ndugai, Mb., barua ya kujiuzulu nafasi yangu ya UBUNGE wa Jimbo la Singida Kaskazini kupitia tiketi ya CCM, nafasi ambayo nimeitumikia kwa vipindi vinne mfululizo tangu nilipochaguliwa kwa mara ya kwanza mnamo mwaka 2000 hadi Sasa.

AIDHA, Nimechukua UAMZI huo kutokana na kutorishwa kwangu na mwenendo wa hali ya Kisiasa nchini, ikiwa ni pamoja na ukiukwaji wa HAKI za Kibinadamu, ongezeko la vitendo vya dhuluma wanavyofanyiwa baadhi ya watanzania wenzetu, na kutokuwepo kwa mipaka ya wazi kati ya MIHIMILI ya dola (Serikali, Bunge, na Mahakama) kunakofanya utendaji kazi wa Kibunge wa Kutunga Sheria na wa Kuisimamia Serikali kutokuwa na uhuru uliainishwa na kuwekwa bayana KIKATIBA.

VILEVILE, Naamini kwamba bila Tanzania kupata Katiba Mpya Sasa, hakuna namna yeyote ya kuifanya mihimili ya dola isiingiliane na kuwepo kwa ukomo wa wazi na kujitegemea kwa dhahiri kwa mihimili ya Serikali, Bunge na mahakama ambayo ndio chimbuko la Uongozi Bora wa nchi, na kuonesha kwa uwazi kuwa madaraka yote yatokana na wananchi wenyewe, na kwamba Serikali ni ya Watu kwajili ya Watu.

MIMI Naondoka na kukiacha Chama Cha Mapinduzi CCM, nikiwa nimekitumikia kuanzia ngazi ya Uenyekiti wa UVCCM Mkoa, Ujumbe wa Kamati za Siasa Wilaya na Mkoa, Ujumbe wa Kamati ya Wabunge Wote wa CCM na Mjumbe wa Halmashauri Kuu ya CCM TAIFA, kwani nimejiridhisha kuwa kwa mwenendo wa hali ya kisiasa, kiuongozi na kiuchumi uliyopo Tanzania Sasa, CCM imepoteza mwelekeo wake wa kuisimamia Serikali kama ilivyokuwa hapo awali. AIDHA, Naamini kuwa, kama ilivyotokea kwa mihimili ya Bunge na Mahakama kutokuwa na uhuru kamili, bila kuingiliwa kiutendaji kwa namna Moja au nyigine, CCM nayo imekuwa Chini ya miguu ya dola badala ya chama kushika hatamu na kuikosoa Serikali inapobidi kama yalivyokuwa maono ya Baba wa TAIFA MWALIMU Julius Kambarage Nyerere.

HIVYOBASI, kwa dhamira yangu, na kwa uamuzi wangu mwenyewe, nikiwa na haki ya KIKATIBA, natangaza KUKIHAMA Chama Cha Mapinduzi CCM leo hii, na nitaomba IKIWAPENDEZA wanachama wa Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo CHADEMA, basi waniruhusu kuingia MALANGONI mwao, niwe mwanachama, ili kuungana na CHADEMA na watanzania wote wanaopenda kuleta mabadiliko ya kisiasa na kiuchumi nchini kwa kupitia mfumo wa ki demokrasia na uhuru wa mawazo.

VILEVILE, nimemua kujiuzulu KITI Cha Ubunge, Jimbo la Singida Kaskazini kuruhusu kufanyika kwa UCHAGUZI mwingine ili wananchi wapate fursa ya kuchagua ITIKADI wanayoona inawafaa kwa majira na nyakati hizi zenye changamoto lukuki nchini Tanzania. Ni imani yangu, kamwe hayatakuwa ya bure maneno haya, wala uamuzi huu niufanyao mbele ya Watanzania leo ili kwamba, SOTE kama TAIFA tuingie kwenye mjadala wa kuijenga upya misingi ya nchi yetu. Ni maombi yangu kwa MUNGU kuwa Haki itamalaki Tanzania. Upendo, amani na mshikamano wa watu wa imani zote za dini, mitazamo yote ya kiitikadi za Kisiasa, na makabila yote nchini uimarike. Tushindane ki sera na kuruhusu tofauti za mawazo, lakini tubaki kama ndugu, na TAIFA lililo imara na nchi yenye ADILI.

#MunguIbarikiTanzania.

Lazaro S. Nyalandu.