Hivi Ndivyo Tanzania Tunavyosemwa na Wenzetu Kuhusu Ushirikiano Wetu East Africa

East Africa should let Tanzania go

Share this story: By Peter Wanyonyi

Tanzania is behaving badly. Something has spoilt the people of hela and dala dala. They are clearly growing horns and something needs to be done about it before they begin thinking they are the regional bullyboys. In the village, neighbours drop by unannounced for a cup of tea every now and then. Thus, a few months ago, President Museveni of Uganda dropped by the cattle boma of President Kagame of Rwanda. Over a cup of tea, they agreed to bury their past disagreements and forge new relations. Shortly afterwards, President Kagame paid a revenge Christmas visit to Uganda. Since then, matters have been smooth between those two countries. Makerere Down here, President Kibaki paid a visit to his alma mater, Makerere University, the other day. Apparently, he was so sharp a learner that he was invited back to teach at Makerere shortly after graduation. At any rate, he received an honorary doctorate thanking him for his service to the institution, had a chat with President Museveni and flew back home. Hardly a couple of weeks later, President Museveni dropped by Kisumu to preside over a harambee. Never mind that, in days past, he had taken to calling our Prime Minister’s people "hii wanjaruo" in that inimitable Nyankole-accented "chiswahili" that he speaks so well. Well, bygones are bygones, and President Museveni is now Ruoth — senior elder of the Luo Nation. Noisy stink Not so Tanzanian leaders. Tanzania is cold and haughty where East African matters are concerned. They attend East African Community (EAC) meetings only to throw spanners in the works. Double standards reign in that country. Evidence is everywhere. A few days ago, the Kenya- Tanzania border crossing had to be closed after Kenyans did what we do best: raise a noisy stink over double standards. You see, because of our good neighbourliness and some EAC protocols that we have signed, Tanzanians can drive into Kenya and conduct their business here with no problem. No charges, no permits, no questions asked. But the reverse is not true for Dar. Kenyans who want to drive into Tanzania for business must cough US$200 (Sh16,400) each time they cross the border. Tanzania’s GDP per person per month is a mere US$100 (Sh8,200), so every Kenyan vehicle that crosses into that country pays the equivalent of two Tanzanians’ monthly economic output. Even passenger vehicles are not spared the levies. And it doesn’t stop there. Whereas Tanzanians visiting Kenyan public facilities — like game parks — are charged the concessionary rates that Kenyans and other East Africans pay, Kenyans doing the same in Tanzania are charged exorbitant "tourist" levies. These guys are also hell bent on sport hunting, notwithstanding the fact that our elephants routinely stroll across the common border. Which explains why President Jakaya Kikwete hasn’t seen it fit to drop by Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda or even Burundi for a cup of chai. Why should he? Tanzania — with their South African sounding national anthem — after all, pays little more than lip service to the idea of East African cooperation, enraptured as it is by the glittering prospects offered up by South Africa. The time has come to bid kwaheri to Tanzania and move on with EAC integration.

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