By Leo Odera Omolo
  
IT WAS an historical event and a rare occasion when Tanzanian parliamentarians overwhelmingly dominated by the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) unanimously called upon the cabinet Ministers implicated in a mega scandal to step aside.
   
The ministers led by the former Prime Minister Edward Ngoyoyi Lowasa were implicated by the parliamentary select probe committee thyat investigated the Richmond power supply tender scandal and were asked to relinquish their Ministerial positions.
   
The mega scandal forced premier Lowasa, the 10th Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania out of office in huff. He promptly resigned after making a tearful departing speech in the house during which he had absolved himself of the blame.
   
Indeed, it was a rare occasion when MPs united and put aside their political ideological differences to criticize the way and the manner ine which government leaders were running public offices, overreaching their power and authority and forgetting that they were accountable to the public.
   
At the end of the debate two weeks ago during a morning session, the Speaker of the House Mr. Sitta Samuel disclosed that he had already received the names of 51 legislators who wanted the matter debated on that Thursday morning to the collective chagrin of the top Ministers implicated.
   
Most MPs from the ruling CCM called for the seizure of their assets to compensate for the massive failure of leadership they had demonstrated, leading to the nation incurring heavy losses.
   
Mrs. Anne Malecela (CCM) set the ball rolling when she described the involvement of the former Prime Minister and other cabinet Ministers in the scandal as “shameful” before the eyes of the eyes of the public, who trusted  the government to take care of their interests.
  
“How could the ministers disregard even the directive of the cabinet? I once asked a question on Richmond but I was threatened by a cruel letter from a government official. We have to speak out on issues of public concern,” Mrs. Malecela said.
   
Another legislator Mrs. Anna Komu, a member of the Znanzibar based Civic United Front (CUF) told the House “We must be serious in matters of public interest and must protect the welfare of millions of Tanzanians who are dying simply because  of such problems caused by these dubious contracts,” She added that about USD 200 million which was squandered in the Richmon scandal, “is a sum of money which is equivalent to theannual budget of two government ministries.” 

Hon George Simbachawena (CCM) and Hon Phillemon Ndesamburo (Chadema) proposed the immediate exclusion of PCCB director General Hosea Samuel and the AG Mwanyika from the Bank of Tanzania (BOT) probe committee following their implication in the Richmond scandal.
   
Hon George Simbachawena (Kibakwe) said the scandal had degraded the integrity and diginity of the PCCB and its entire management as well as the management of the public resources in the country, warning that the time for hiding the truth was up.
  
  “We cannot afford to hide matters of public importance while million of Tanzanians are dying because abject poverty triggered by our leaders,” said the legislator angrily.
   

The report implicating former Prime Minister Lowasa and other high rankiong government officials was presented to the house by the chairman of the parliamentary select committee Dr Harrison Mkwakyambe and was supposed to be debated for two days.
   
The report on the Richmond emergency power tender indirectly called on Premier Lowasa to resign, but his dramatic announcement sent the house into total confusion as MPs grappled with its implications.
   
The select committee report had concluded that the Premier and two Ministers unduly influenced the decision to award the power contract to Richmond causing the nation heavy losses in money. 
   
President Jakaya Kikwete promptly dismissed the entire cabinet under Lowasa and appointed a new Prime Minister and a new cabinet.
  
  Ends
  
  leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

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Thank you for the detailed report Leo! 

Readers, we ask again: when, if ever, will THIS happen in Kenya? 

It may be worth noting that WOMEN are playing a large role in bringing down corruption in Tanzania.  Note that two female politicians are mentioned in this single article as standing up for what is right!  One even notes that she was threatened for her good work.  We say thank god for these WOMEN.   

We also know that WOMEN are the focus of most micro-financing schemes in developing countries.  Why? 

In many African countries, Kenya included, WOMEN are the main source of income for families.  They till the land AND take care of the children.  They are less likely to spend their earnings at the local bar…

They say that with great power comes great responsibility.  Most mothers know this–this is a metaphor that has been used by others but that we think is especially applicable here.  Why can’t certain “leaders” understand this? 

Hey, next time you say “be a man,” think twice.  Maybe we should all try to be more like the women mentioned in this piece.        

For more on this great story, please see http://blog.jaluo.com/?p=121

Regards,

Jaluo Press

P.S.  Jaluo Press fully recognizes that there are “a few good men.”  That said, they get a lot more press than the many good women.  A balance of the scales is long overdue.