My 2 Hours in Police Detention

A stoic feeling. The day was coming to an end. Aware that the market closes at 6:00 p.m I rushed through the chest routines at the gym. Just in time before it closed - went through the list and began shopping. I always haggle but with a smile to the sellers. Being Monday the traffic was crazy - but I was patient. As I approached the Nakumatt junction I decided to overlap, we call it 'kutanua' in our neck of the woods. Two irate policemen stopped me with the other rushing to my car window. He gave me the "whats wrong with you" look. A seemingly young officer came to the window and started pulling the car keys from the ignition. I fumed! I rolled the car window in defiance. A police lady with two-stars on her uniform approached and told the officer "Mpeleke huyu Central". I was running late - I was going to buy medicine for my mum. The officer with gusto jumped into the car and said I should drive to Central Police Station. Adamantly I drove into Nakumatt to buy bread! That incensed the officer. 

I needed to rush the medicine to my mother. "You need to be calm I told myself!" I pleaded with him to allow me to take the medicine to my mother - he was steadfast and said he was taking orders from his superior. The two-star police lady had instructed that I should spend the night in remand. "Vijana wa siku hizi wanajifanya wamesoma sana, wanadharau lazima niwafundishe adabu -atalala ndani leo."She was serious. The realisation of spending the night in remand started to sink in. I called my dad. He managed to sweet-talk the officer in charge at the station that evening - not without the customary 'chai ya mzee'. The car was seized and was asked to report to the station first thing in the morning. 

When I reported to the station in the morning, the two-star police lady was not in. I was told she'll be in the afternoon. I duly reported at 1400 hrs. They say if looks could kill! - the police lady sneered as she majestically swung on her chair. She said she didn't want to see me at all and she ordered I be taken to remand. "Mpeleke huyu mahabusu," she ordered a junior officer who had just stepped in. I pleaded for forgiveness but she said she'll only speak to me after I spend the night in custody.

I was ushered to remand by a tall traffic officer. As I removed my shoes, ring, wallet and belt, it began to dawn on me. One officer seeing that I had carried a significant amount of money in my wallet told me if I gave him something, he will take me to a more 'comfortable remand'. I agreed. But the police lady had ordered that I be put in the common remand. I was received like a Form I student as I entered 'wachanganyeni' - the common remand. A light skinned gentleman with no t-shirt on welcomed me by conducting the customary search. I had nothing on me as I had surrendered it at the police counter. I was given a paper that outlined the possessions I had surrendered at the counter. Another gentleman who was tall also with no t-shirt on with hairy chest came and said hello. "I'm Ibrahim Mashaka, I've been here for over a month now," he retorted. He was wounded all over but the scar on his right eye was vivid. I was ordered to go and take a shower which I duly obliged. The gentleman who had received was in charge there. He ordered a seemingly elder man to mop the bathroom which doubled up as the toilet. He was full of energy. I got in and just washed my hands, face, legs, and cleaned up my armpits.

I sat at the concrete slab with my head down and holding my hands like someone who was praying. Ibrahim came and sat besides me. Three young men were in the same cell with a look of resignation. A somehow old man in a blue shirt was fast asleep on the floor. Ibrahim told me frankly that he wished to got to jail. "I have been here for a month now. I have not tasted a good meal for many days now." As he narrated his ordeal, the metal door kept opening periodically with names being called and other coming in. I was praying to be called next. Ibrahim seemed to have lost hope. He told me he had killed his girlfriend after a brawl in a local bar. "I hit her with a beer bottle and she died" he told me with no shred of tenderness or regret. "I honestly would prefer the ugali and beans of prison, this place is a mess." I asked why they hadn't taken him to court. He brushed off my question and told me he had lost all hope. He stands up and peers into a small window in the cell. He walks away and I engage the rest in some conversation.

The three boys tell me they have been there for four days now. They say the police caught them in possession of a gun after a raid in their friends house. As we speak, a gentleman who by the looks is from the Coast or Zanzibar gets into the cell. The others welcome him by calling him 'transporter'. He had stepped out after being called by a lanky police. I later learn that he was caught trafficking Somalis just past the Kenya-Tanzania border. He was taking them to South Africa. He tells me that he will go for questioning at the immigration office the following day. He asks me my name and why I was there. Another gentleman steps in the cell and seats besides me. He doesn't tell me his name but he asks me why I was here. He was brought there after failing to offset the debt his friend owed. As he began to narrate his story my name is called out. Ibrahim and the gentleman in charge follow me to the door. "Usitusahau kaka, tulete hata mikate na juice." I promised to bring them bread and juice.

The police lady is there waiting for me at her office. She was joined by two other gentlemen - all with two-stars in their shirts. They had ordered chips and 'mishikaki'. She tells me to join in but I tell her I am okay. She said that I had now learned my mistakes and I should pay Tshs.30,000 fine. She gave me my car keys and left. As I drove home she was there at the same junction where I was stopped last night. I hooted and said hello. "Nico, ukipita bila kunisalimia nitakukamata" She said with a smile on her face. I laughed. She waved. I narrated the story to my wife. She now calls me "my convict husband."

#WeddingDiaries: Time with Frinds

Its 9:45 a.m Tuesday 6 January, 2015. My good friend Elvis calls me and says we should meet later that evening. Coincidentally, I had also planned another meeting with Nancy, a good friend of mine the same evening. I call Nancy and tell her that Elvis, whom she knows has planned a meeting with me. She tells me he had also asked her to join us in the meeting and his sister Ikunda will also be joining us as well. I continue with my work but fixated on the bridesmaids material which I need to buy later in the afternoon. 

My mum and sister Teddy will be joining me in the afternoon to go shop for the material. I have lunch and go to the CBD Arusha to meet them at around 3:00 p.m. We go to these Indian shops, which have very good lace material, which my fiancee has insisted we use despite it being very expensive. Its fine, she says it is her wedding and it should be the best day of her life. Well and good, we identify the purple lace material. Glory, Teddy's close friend had since joined us. After intensive bargaining with this middle aged man who is either Somali or Indian, we decide that we should try somewhere else. Glory, who got married last year knows these wedding stuff so she takes us to another shop. There we get the material at a relative cheaper rate. I am a great bargainer, my family, especially sisters know me for this.I further bargain and at last we settle on a negotiated price. Its already 5:00 p.m, we had taken two hours to buy material for seven bridesmaid. My word, this wedding thing is not easy. 

I rush to my car and hit the gym. With my wedding coming up, I have intensified my work out regime. After forty minutes of work out, Elvis calls me saying he could be running late. I finish up and rush to Bay Leaf, the scheduled place for our meeting. Elvis and Nancy had already arrived. Nancy was sipping her customary masala tea. "Its not as good as that of Arusha Cafe," she tells me as she adds a teaspoon of honey. We normally meet at Arusha Cafe some evenings. We briefly debated if we should seat outside or inside. I was okay with either. We agree to seat inside because of the mosquitoes. 

We take a table in the corner where this somehow shy waiter comes and takes our order. Past reviews indicate the place as expensive. I had never been there before. I order a jug full masala tea while Elvis orders cappuccino, apparently he is detoxing and his new year resolution is to stop taking alcohol. Ikunda soon joins us and laughs at Elvis' new year resolution. "Bwana harusi" became my codename. They ask if am excited about the wedding. Yes am excited but a bit nervous and jittery. All shall be well. We share jokes and talk about politics and other stuff. The topic on politics is not well received by Ikunda who says she's not into politics at all. We shift to E!, yes E!, of the Kardashian fame, Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, Fashion Police, and blah blah blah. Oh my God, I also know these programs? My sisters Masha, Gloria, Teddy and Doris are such a bad influence. Yes, they are the kids of today, the Instagram kids, so no need to blame them. Let them enjoy this as it lasts, or as I often tell them, "you will eventually grow up". We talk about family, life and religion. Religion, as is ritual, divided us. No need for details. 

There drizzles outside, soon it pours, it good we chose to stay inside. I look at my watch, its 11:23 p.m, I have to head home now. "Safari njema kaka Elvis" He and Ikunda were traveling to Dar the following morning.        

Mtanzania wrong to insinuate that Kenya could be behind the Arusha Attacks

Arusha town has been hit by spasmodic bomb attacks in the recent past. There have been attacks during opposition political rallies as well as a bomb thrown into a Catholic Church in Olasiti during its inauguration last year. This year a bomb was thrown into a local pub injuring a number of people. Just last week a bomb was thrown inside the house of a Muslim cleric as he broke fast. Tanzania has enjoyed peace and stability for the better part of her history. The recent wave of attacks are reminiscent to the Al Shabaab and Boko Haram terror attacks in Kenya and Nigeria respectively. The Al Shabaab and Boko Haram menace are largely Islamic extremism. Kenya and Nigeria have had a torrid time and this has seen their international standing fade quite considerably. 

Two days ago, Arusha was hit by another bomb attack, this time in an Indian restaurant called Vama. Eight people have been seriously wounded with one victim's leg amputated. Speculation on the causes and who could responsible for the attack is rife. I have closely followed the reporting of the incidence from a local and international standpoint.

Tanzania newspaper report on the bomb attack in Arusha

Local newspapers have today carried headlines of the Arusha incidence. One local newspaper, Mtanzania has caught my attention. It has carried a headline "Siri Milipuko ya Mabomu Arusha yabainika". This loosely translates: "Secret behind Arusha bombings revealed". Reading the story, Mtanzania quotes a tourism stakeholder who implicates Kenya to the Arusha attacks. He says that Kenya is using all means to cripple the tourism sector in Tanzania. He says that the main aim is to scare away tourists who are fleeing Kenya due to insecurity and finding alternative destination in Tanzania. 

I have also spoken to a number of my friends here in Arusha and they believe this could be one of the reasons to the attacks. Arusha town is the gateway to a number of tourist sites in Tanzania. The Guardian Nigeria reports in its website that "Arusha is a key town for Tanzania's tourist industry, a major source of foreign currency for the eastern African country."

The police is yet to establish the motive of this recent attack. It is however wrong to implicate a foreign country without substantive evidence. Kenya and Tanzania have been good friendly countries for many years. Despite competition in the tourism market, it is foolhardy, inappropriate and impetuous to imagine this. The security personnel in Arusha should reexamine itself and intercept impending acts of violence which could just local criminal operations.        

Chadema washeherekea kwa mbwembwe Arusha!

Waendesha bodaboda

Chadema washeherekea ushindi Arusha

Wafuasi wa Chadema wakicheza na kufurahia mjini Arusha baada ya ushindi wa diwani wa kata ya Sombetini.

 Mbwembwe za wafuasi wa Chadema.

 Mbunge wa Arusha mjini akiwapungia wafuasi wa Chadema walifurika licha ya mvua kubwa.

Maandamano ya waendesha pikipiki almaarufu kama bodaboda (Toyo) wakiongozana katika msafara wa ushindi karibu na hoteli ya Palace jijini
Arusha.

Mlipuko Kanisa la Katoliki Arusha

Poleni watu wa Kanisa Katoliki la Olasiti. Huo mlipuko ni dalili mbaya kwa nchi yetu Tanzania. Mungu aturehemu turudie amani. Habari kuhusu mkasa huu bado ni finyu.

Chadema Yateka jiji la Arusha, Lema asema Arusha ni kitovu cha mabadiliko Tanzania

Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo kimetoa rai kwamba Arusha ndio chimbuko la mabadiliko Tanzania. Mbunge aliyerudishwa baada ya kuenguliwa Godbless Lema amesema mwamko wa wananchi wa Arusha ni taswira kwamba wakati wa mapinduzi umefika. Mwaka wa 2013 umetajwa na viongozi wa Chadema kama ni mwaka wa kazi na hawatalala. Baada ya Lema kushinda kesi yake, viongozi wa Chadema wakizungumza kwenye hafla ya kumkaribisha Lema kwenye viwanja vya Kilombero, Arusha wamesema kwamba watazunguka nchi nzima kuwahamasisha wananchi kuhusu maovu ya CCM. 

Lema’s victory has championed Chadema’s ‘People Power’ mantra

Nicodemus Minde, Arusha

Jubilant celebrations echoed from Dar es Salaam to Arusha. The ecstatic celebrations were not only felt by the people of Arusha Urban Constituency of who were denied for almost two years their right to have an MP, but to everyone with progressive democratic ideals. Godbless Lema was reinstated as the Arusha Urban legislator by the Court of Appeal after a protracted legal battle stretching to almost two years. Lema had lost his seat after the High Court nullified his victory on grounds that he had engaged in election malpractices leading to his election in 2010. The charges were that he had used abusive language against his opponent Batilda Burhan which was interpreted to contravene the election code of ethics and regulations. The charge was seen by many as a political witch hunt aimed at dethroning Lema who had won on the opposition party Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) beating the ruling party Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM). 

Reading the judgment before the court, the Deputy Registrar for the court of Appeal, Elizabeth Mkwizu said that there was no evidence to show that the people who filed the petition against Lema were Arusha voters and did not possess any voter identity cards. The judgment by the Appeals Court has raised eyebrows on the exact motive behind the case. We should therefore critically examine the lessons from his acquittal and way forward.

The case has given Chadema more political currency

The progenitors or the masterminds behind the case must have miscalculated the outcome of the case. They put themselves in a political quagmire which in whatever way could have led to win-win situation for the opposition party. That is to mean that appellants which in this context are the legal counsel of the MP together with Chadema party and the people of Arusha town would have prevailed whatever the outcome. I argue this from the following theoretical points of departure. First, if in the unlikeliest event that the Appeals Court could have annulled Lema’s seat, then the people of his constituency either through a by election or mass protest could have reinstated him as their leader. Arusha, being a cosmopolitan constituency and with a wave of political awakening could have done what it takes to bring their man back. Secondly, pursuant to the verdict given by the Appeals Court to reinstate Lema is in itself a double victory. The verdict is a testament to the wheels of justice, which were served. The verdict is a hummer blow to the detractors of progress, the doomsayers of justice and the marauders of democracy and people power. It is rewarding that the evil forces have been defeated. Chadema and democracy has triumphed.

The way forward

Chadema party should now embrace itself for more political witch hunts and constant negative propaganda. This notwithstanding, Chadema should use this victory to spearhead change in Tanzania. The party has branded itself as an alternative choice to the people of Tanzania. The party has modeled itself as a crusader for political accountability by shaming corrupt government officials and institutions. The party has rallied people to shun leaders that are involved in grand corruption and economic malpractices. The party and the people with good will of Tanzania should now ready themselves for change that will inspire Tanzania to economic heights and prosperity. We can do it. God bless Tanzania.