Why Mbeya beats Safari-city Arusha

A section of Arusha City.  Arusha Region, which is Tanzania’s tourism hub, is seventh in contributing to the national economy, according to the Bank of Tanzania.

Dar es Salaam. A firm agro-based economy seems to have done Mbeya Region wonders as shown by the latest Bank of Tanzania’s report on regional total net worth beating Arusha whose economy runs on mining and tourism.

The recent data by the BoT indicates that Dar es Salaam is the richest region with a total income of Sh7.5 trillion, followed by Mwanza (Sh4.09 trillion) and Mbeya (Sh3.2 trillion). But, with all tourist attractions, Arusha ranks number seven on the economic ladder of the country behind Mbeya, Shinyanga, Iringa and Morogoro regions. Lindi Region still lags behind as it holds second position among the poorest regions after Coast Region, even though it produces natural gas for power generation.

Stakeholders who spoke to The Citizen yesterday, said Mbeya Region was in control of income from both within and outside its market which is powered by its agricultural produce, thus enhancing money circulation in the region.

This is contrary to the Arusha situation, which sees a big part of its earnings from tourism and mining being taken outside its boundaries.   

University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) senior economics lecturer, Prof Amon Mbele, said Mbeya’s agro-economy captures almost the entire country’s market. “The tourism industry is largely dominated by foreign-based firms, so part of the income remains in their mother countries. The same logic works for large mining firms,” said Prof Mbele.

He advised that the country should not abandon agriculture for gas, because it is still the former that would provide the basis for growth. 

Mr Zitto Kabwe, Kigoma North MP (Chadema), who is also an economist, said Mbeya has the potential to overtake even Mwanza because of its emerging mining sector, which includes gold and coal mining at Lupa and Kiwira, respectively.

Lindi lags behind because of lack of economic activities, generally. Natural gas was an enclave sector and even if it started, still it would not benefit the local people, Mr Kabwe argued.  “It is shocking for Arusha to fall to seventh place. But Mbeya’s agriculture has given it a firm ground on which to pin itself,” he said. Above all, Arusha largely remains a service region, tanzanite comes from Manyara Region whereas  almost all manufacturing factories were sold while no new ones have been established.

Legislator for Arumeru East, Mr Joshua Nassari (Chadema) and his Karatu counterpart, Rev Israel Natse (Chadema), blamed the situation on uncontrolled income flow to neighbouring Kenya for products produced in Arusha. “There is no formal market for various products in Arusha, hence revenues go unrecorded; for instance, flowers are transported to Kenya where they are processed and branded as Kenyan products,”Mr Nassari said.

Speaking on Mbeya’s success, Special Seats MP from the region, Ms Naomi Kaihula (Chadema), said it was obvious for the region to have a big total income because its agriculture is commercialised, thus enabling the region to earn more.  “Agriculture has transformed incomes of many households in Mbeya Region, all because of commercialising farming,” she asserted.

However, Lindi regional commissioner Thomas Sowani, said the region remained poor because its natural gas was being taken away to other regions.

“The gas obtained here benefits industries based in other regions,” he lamented.

2 cheat death in plane crash

This light aircraft crashed yesterday in Gongo la Mboto, Dar es Salaam, injuring two people who were on board.  The accident was blamed on engine failure

In Summary

The pilot, Azizi Abdallah, and the trainee pilot, Ahmad Mohamedi, were on training mission when their plane came down in Dar es Salaam’s Gongo la Mboto area

Dar es Salaam. A pilot and a trainee pilot yesterday cheated death after their plane crash-landed in Gongo la Mboto suburb on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam.

The pilot, Mr Azizi Abdallah, and the trainee pilot, Mr Ahmad Mohamedi, who were in a light plane C206 property of As Salaam Air, were on a training mission when their plane crash-landed.

According to the firm’s flight dispatcher, Mr Bern Mtono, the accident occurred at around 11:45am. He said the two had flown from the Julius Nyerere International Airport at around 11:40am on a training session.

However, Mr Mtono said the plane crashed just as it was approaching the training base caused by what he termed as engine failure.

“As of now we can’t tell what caused the engine failure; we will release more details after technical investigations have been completed,” said Mr Mtono.

He said, no one was killed by the accident as both the pilot and the pilot trainee escaped with minor injuries and were treated at the Gongo la Mboto military hospital.

“The two are in a good condition and were discharged,” said Mr Mtono.

According to him the crashed plane was used for training sessions for pilot trainees so as to allow them to gain mileage, a crucial step towards acquiring a flying licence.

Meanwhile, flow of traffic on Kilwa Road in the city came to a standstill for more than two hours yesterday after angry residents blocked the key road with stones and burnt tires protesting the death of a girl who was hit by a speeding vehicle.

The Standard Two pupil, Adina Suleiman, aged about 11 to 12, was knocked down in late morning as she was crossing the road at Mbagala Kizuiani. Residents claimed that at least 30 people have been killed by speeding vehicles in the area, since 2008, hence their decision to protest.

Anti-riot police were deployed and succeeded to disperse the protesters. No arrests were made but Temeke Police regional commander Engelbert Kiondo assured residents that road bumps would be erected to reduce speeding at the area.

“Road constructors were supposed to have taken into consideration the fact that this point is busy,” he said.

Street boy who dared dream

Daniel in the company of his guardian, Ms Pelagia Kokuhirwa (second right), and representatives from The Small Things Organisation , Bethan Crisp (right) and Emilie Elmhorn (left), at the family compound in July this year.

Musoma. At last, Daniel Meshack, a 17-year-old student who had been reduced to a street urchin following the death of his parents in succession has a new lease of life.

He is gradually putting behind him the miserable life he led when the mother died in 2007, and his father a year later in Dodoma.

An Arusha-based organisation that provides education and support for vulnerable and orphaned children has offered to meet his education expenses at Tabora Secondary School.

Daniel secured the place at the school after excelling in the Complementary Basic Education of Tanzania (Cobet) meant to take care of those who missed out in the early schooling phase.

Daniel’s story came to the limelight in June last year after The Citizen on Saturday sketched his suffering and what he then described as a burning ambition to go to school.

Following the death of his parents, a neighbour took him to Mwanza with an intention of helping but he died in a motor vehicle accident soon after, throwing the boy’s life into uncertainty yet again.

He would go on to become a street urchin in Mwanza, later making his way to Musoma, where he continued to scavenge for survival. Another good Samaritan picked him up from the streets, in a turn of events that would open a new chapter in Daniel’s life and his dream to pursue schooling appeared a possibility.

The boy lurched on the opportunity and did not take time to demonstrate his ability as he quickly won the accolades of his teachers. “He went on to become one of the brightest pupils in our school and we are happy that he will have a bright future ahead if the trend continues,” said James Makanya, his former primary school head teacher.

Last year, he was offered a chance at Tabora Secondary School but failed to raise Sh500,000 required to enable him to pay fees and pay for incidentals. Nevertheless, he reported to school with hope keeping him focused on his desire.

Our reporting in February of his plight drew sympathy from an NGO –Small Things –that committed to support all the four years of Daniel’s secondary schooling.

Founder and director of the Organisation, Rebecka Ross Russel, told The Citizen on Saturday via email that they were anxious to meet Daniel and see how best to help him meet his goals.

Ms Russel also runs a small non-profit organisation working with Nkoaranga Orphanage near Arusha to help orphaned and abandoned children meet their potential.

Gen Kayihura faults Judiciary, Prisons over rising crime rate

A prisoner bering manhandled by prison warders. Gen Kayihura accuses the prison authority of abetting crime in the country.

KAMPALA

The Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, has blamed the judiciary and the prisons service for the increasing crime in the country. According to the IGP, most criminals arrested in relation to violent crimes like robbery and murder are individuals with past criminal records while others are former convicts.

According to Gen Kayihura, the justice system in Uganda is instead promoting injustice with a number of criminals getting released by the courts. “Criminal justice is based on the principle that you would rather let nine criminals go free than inconvenience one innocent person. The criminals have money and get very good lawyers. At the end of the day, a judge has to only have a simple doubt to release the suspect,” Gen Kayihura said.

According to police records, many criminals, who are sent to prisons which are supposedly rehabilitation and reformatory centres, complete their sentences and get involved in more violent crimes. They never get reformed. “A criminal convicted for hitting people with “akatayimbwa” (an iron bar) will be released and will most likely be involved in crimes using guns, yet no one seems to ask why,” Gen Kayihura charged.

Defended
However, the Uganda Prisons spokesperson, Mr Frank Mbaine, said rehabilitation in prison is only done for criminals who are already convicted, but not remand suspects who are acquitted or discharged by courts.

“It would be true that we do not do all the required rehabilitation because of congestion but again it is wrong that we don’t rehabilitate the criminals. We only rehabilitate those convicted and yet a half of the inmates go out before they are convicted. How do you rehabilitate a suspect?” Mr Mbaine asked.

In a report on the recent city violent crimes, it was established that a suspect identified as Soby had been repeatedly arrested and charged in court over similar crimes. Police records indicate that Kampala Metropolitan area alone had registered about 60 murders since June this year.

Police records show that another 10 people were killed in mob action and seven in domestic-related violence during the same period. The rest were hit by iron bar criminals and others are strangled.

ICC issues arrest warrant against Kenyan journalist Walter Barasa over witness interference

The International Criminal Court has issued a arrest warrant against a Kenyan journalist for "corruptly influencing or attempting to corruptly influence ICC witnesses".

ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said the Kenyan Government had received the warrant "for the immediate arrest and transfer of Walter Barasa to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to face criminal charges"

"There is evidence to suggest that Walter Barasa tried to bribe someone he thought was a Prosecution witness in the case against (Deputy President William) Mr Ruto," Ms Bensouda said in a statement Wednesday.

She said the Prosecution has conducted a detailed investigation on the allegations of witness interference, a situation that obtains to date.

"The evidence collected so far indicates that there is a network of people who are trying to sabotage the case against Mr Ruto et al. by interfering with Prosecution witnesses. Walter Barasa, against whom compelling evidence has been collected, has been part of this network, and his actions fit into this wider scheme that the Office continues to investigate," the prosecutor said.

Under Article 70 of the Rome Statute, using bribes or threats to influence witnesses to change or recant their testimony is a crime.

If found guilty, Walter Barasa faces up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.

BRIBE THREE WITNESSES

The prosecutor accuses Mr Barasa, a journalist based in Eldoret, of attempting to bribe three witnesses including witness 536.

Witness 536 is the survivor of the Kiambaa Church arson attack and is presently testifying in the case facing Mr Ruto and former radio presenter Joshua arap Sang at The Hague.

She is giving her testimony in private sessions after attempts to expose her identity and intimidate her family.

Ms Bensouda says Mr Barasa offered "to pay her and her husband a total of one million four hundred thousand Kenyan Shillings (KES 1,400,000) in order to influence her to withdraw as a Prosecution witness, committed during the period 20 May to 25 July 2013 and at or near Kampala, Uganda".

He also attempted to corruptly influence witnesses 256 and 336, Ms Bensouda charges.

HAND OVER BARASA

Ms Bensouda said it was her expectation that Kenya would arrest and hand over Mr Barasa for prosecution.

"He will appear before ICC judges on charges of corruptly influencing and attempting to corruptly influence a person he believed to be a Prosecution witnesses," she said.

In response, Attorney General Githu Muigai said the Kenyan courts would decide whether to enforce the arrest warrant.

"The procedure for enforcing any warrant issued by the international criminal court against any individual in Kenya is subject to the very clear procedure set out under the International Crimes Act 2010. These procedures require the minister in charge of the interior upon receipt of the formal warrant of arrest to present the said warrant to the judiciary for enforcement," Prof Muigai said in a statement.

"During the judicial consideration of the legality of the warrant, the subject is entitled to make representations to the court. The final determination on the enforceability of the warrant is therefore a judicial one," he said.

The prosecutor said her office continues to monitor and probe other incidents of witness interference.

Ms Bensouda said the issuance of the arrest warrant should serve as a deterrence to those who may be plotting to obstruct justice.

"The issuance of an arrest warrant in this case should be a warning to others who may be involved in obstructing the course of justice through intimidating, harassing, bribing or attempting to bribe ICC witnesses.

"My Office will continue to do everything it can to ensure that witnesses are able to present their evidence before the Court without fear. Witnesses who have courage to come forward to testify deserve no less," she said.

She praised her witnesses for their "moral courage" to testify in the Kenyan cases.

"Through my Office, I will do all within my power to protect the integrity of our cases and ensure that justice is allowed to run its course unobstructed."

Mr Barasa's arrest warrant was unsealed by Judge Cuno Tarfusser, Single Judge of Pre-Trial Chamber II.

"He is charged with several offences against the administration of justice including corruptly influencing or attempting to corruptly influence ICC witnesses. An under seal warrant of arrest was issued against him on 2 August 2013, " the court said in a statement

"Based on the Prosecutor’s evidence, Judge Tarfusser also found that it is necessary to arrest Walter Osapiri Barasa to ensure his appearance at trial, to ensure that he does not obstruct or endanger the investigation or the proceedings, and to prevent him from continuing with the commission of the crime."

Mr Ruto and Mr Sang are facing charges of murder, persecution and deportation arising from the 2007/08 post election violence.

President Kenyatta trial is scheduled to open on November 12. He faces charges of murder, rape, persecution, deportation and other inhumane acts.

NEXT STEPS:

During an initial hearing before ICC Judges, Walter Barasa will be informed of the crimes which he is alleged to have committed and of his rights under the Rome Statute.

His plea will be entered and the Judges will then set a date for a hearing on the charges.

At this subsequent hearing, the Judges will hear submissions from both the Prosecution and Walter Barasa’s Defence on whether his case should go to trial.

If the charges are confirmed, the judges will set a trial date.

Westgate Mall terror suspects arrested near Uganda border

 A policeman carries a baby to safety after masked gunmen stormed an upmarket mall and sprayed gunfire on shoppers and staff, killing at least six on September 21, 2013 in Nairobi. Three people suspected to have been part of the Westgate Mall terror attack were on Friday arrested by Kenyan security operatives near the Ugandan border at Busia.

Busia. Three people suspected to have been part of the Westgate Mall terror attack were on Friday arrested by Kenyan security operatives near the Ugandan border at Busia.

They are among several suspects being held for questioning by Kenyan authorities over the four-day terror siege on the Westgate Mall in Nairobi that left more than 60 civilians and six security forces dead.

The Somali al-Shabaab militants, a terror group affiliated to al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attack.

The trio is believed to have been trying to cross the Busia border to enter Uganda by the time of their arrest.

Uganda’s Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura on Friday issued a second terror alert in less than a week.

The Busia District Police Commander, Ms Barbara Alungat, could neither confirm nor deny the arrest.

“I cannot confirm but you could get that from the police spokesperson or Kenyan authorities,” Ms Alungat said.

The regional police spokesperson, Mr Micheal Odong, confirmed some arrests at the Kenyan side.

“I understand some people were arrested but it was on the Kenyan side. One is believed to be a Congolese national who did not have any document on him,” Mr Odong said.

At a news conference on Friday, Kenya’s Interior minister Joseph Ole Lenku said eight suspects were being held for questioning and three others had been released after interrogation.

The head of Interpol in Uganda, Mr Asan Kasingye, told the Sunday Monitor that they did not have information about the arrests, but said they had a number of suspected terrorists in their database which they would share with the Immigration.

“Should any of these suspects in our database try to enter the country, we shall arrest them,” he said.

Ugandan teachers threaten to boycott marking exams

 Teachers have vowed to resume their strike if the government does not respond to their salary demand by November 10.

Kampala. Teachers have, in a new twist threatened not to mark Uganda National Examinations Board exams, days after they agreed to suspend their strike over pay rise.

Through their umbrella organisation, Uganda National Teachers’ Union (Unatu), the civil servants maintain that they will resume their strike on November 10 if nothing materialises from a committee which the government set up last week.

The inter-ministerial committee is expected to start its meetings tomorrow.

Mr James Tweheyo, the Unatu general secretary, said the teachers are justified to be angry and requested that they should be patient with the committee to discuss the options that were tabled before the government. “Even those who are angry will understand why some things have to be done the way they are. The government will have had all its time to think through their positions. We do not want anybody to think that we have been inconsiderate,” he said.

“Pupils will have completed Primary Leaving Examinations. We are the ones who mark. I want to assure you that PLE will not be marked if this is not worked on. The government should not take chances,” Mr Tweheyo added.

He said they had given the government 28 days to reach an agreement.

The Unatu general secretary also said that although the final document they signed with the government to draw them back to class did not have the details of their discussion, they are contained in the meeting minutes. He also warned that if the strike is resumed, it would affect Senior Four and Six candidates who will be midway through their Uganda Certificate of Education and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education exams respectively.

“We did not want to cause an unnecessary anxiety among parents. This was to show them that we are concerned and want the best for our children’s future,” Mr Tweheyo said.

On the claims that some Unatu officials were bribed, Mr Tweheyo said: “It is not true that we have received money from the government. We rejected their food. How then can we accept money? They are trying to make us dirty but we will remain focused. All these are intended to divert us. Our cause is genuine and we must pursue it to the end.”