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Author: Invo

  • President Magufuli Laid to rest at his home in Chato

    By Daniel Nyaga

    (danielnyaga.dn@gmail.com)

    Tanzania’s fifth President John Pombe Magufuli was on Friday given a hero’s send off as he was laid to rest in his ancestral home of Chato, Geita.

    Throughout the week, the late President’s body was being moved through different towns in the country for public mourning and to permit residents to view it.

    President Magufuli’s body arrived at Rumbambagwe Stadium mid-morning today and soon after, there was the singing of both the national anthem and the East African anthem.

    The requiem mass then got underway in Chato, Geita region, North-western Tanzania. The catholic mass was conducted by Archbishop Gervas John Nyaisonga, Tanzania’s Episcopal Conference (TEC) president.

    Magufuli’s body was lowered into the ground by Military generals who followed through with a 21 – gun salute in his honour.

    Military carrying the body of President John Magufuli during his burial ceremony in Chato, Tanzania- BBC

    In attendance were the late President’s family members, close friends, President Samia Suluhu Hassan and ex-presidents Ali Hassan Mwinyi and Jakaya Kikwete, among other dignitaries.

    Tanzanians were able to follow the proceedings of Mr. Magufuli’s burial via live Television and Radio. He was admired by many citizens for his serious approach to corruption and his no nonsense approach to leadership.

    Former President, Jakaya Kikwete delivered a eulogy in Kiswahili stating, “I nominated him for the presidency and I had no doubt,” he said, describing Magufuli as “an honest, hardworking, attentive leader who does not tolerate negligence.”

    Felix Maluma, a trader in the largest city, Dar es Salaam, stated his shock of the late President’s demise as he said, “I don’t think we will have such a good leader,” he said.

    “I pray that the next leader gets the courage to fulfil the promises made by President Magufuli,” added Maluma.

    Mr. Magufuli who passed away on March 17, due to heart complications at Mzena Hospital is the first Tanzanian president to die in office.

  • 5 Counties Under Lockdown, Physical learning suspended – Uhuru

    By Sumaya Hussein

    (husseinsumaya1@gmail.com)

    President Uhuru Kenyatta has today announced cessation of movement in and out of Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu and Nakuru, by road, rail and air, effective Friday midnight, until further notice.

    Speaking during the 15th Presidential address at State House, President Kenyatta referred to the five named counties as “disease infected areas”.

    “That fully conscious 70% of Kenya’s reported cases of Covid-19 have been recorded in the counties of Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu and Nakuru, those counties are individually and collectively declared a disease infected area,” said Kenyatta.

    Curfew hours in these counties have therefore been revised to start at 8pm and end at 4am, while the rest of the counties retain 10pm to 4am, from Friday midnight.

    Congregational worship in the zoned counties have been suspended, while other counties will continue to hold worship sessions under the existing Covid-19 regulations.

    Operation of bars and selling of alcohol in eateries and restaurants in the five named counties are prohibited. Restaurants in these counties are to provide take-away services only.

    All public gatherings and in-person meetings have been suspended within the above areas as well, until further notice.

    Operations of bars, restaurants and eateries in the other 42 counties will continue but under strict adherence to Ministry of Health Guidelines.

    Physical learning in all schools including universities have been suspended until further notice, except for the candidates sitting for the national exams and medical training institutions.

    International travel into and out of the territory of the Republic shall continue in accordance with the existing guidelines on Foreign/International Travel.

    All persons coming into Kenya must be in possession of a negative COVID-19 PCR certificate, acquired no more than 96 hours prior to arrival. The certificate must be validated under the Trusted Travel platform, for those travelling by air.

    All sporting activities are suspended together with recreational facilities including member clubs until directed otherwise.

  • Council candidates decry miscommunication from ECD

    By Muhanguzi Tola

    tolakofa1@gmail.com

    From left- Presidential candidates Ian Agina and Marco Laboso

    DUSA presidential candidate Ian Agina has decried the lack of communication from the Electoral Commission that left him and two other candidates stranded at the Valley Road campus.

    “My Vice chairperson, Spencer Okombo, Secretary General, Desmond Mwyne and I camped in valley road campus waiting for the Debate today since morning only for there to be no debate,” reads a statement from the candidate.

    The three were part of the team supposed to participate in the cancelled DUSA elections debate that had been scheduled to take place from 2PM at the campus.

    The debate’s main aim was to offer a platform for the aspirants to air out their manifesto to the rest of the student body. The three, just like the rest of the candidates were “very eager to share our vision with fellow students of what leadership would look like if we are elected in a free and fair process.”

    The reason behind the cancellation of the debate is yet to be officially communicated to students, except for a poster doing rounds on social media. This then raises questions over the preparedness of ECD to conduct the elections. In his statement, Ian further criticised the commission’s failure to issue specific dates for the election process.

    “…Another is lack of official communication on the dates of elections leaving both students and candidates for these posts with more questions than answers.”

    Involvement Newspaper understands that some officials from the current DUSA council were not pleased with the organisers’ decision not to involve them in the planning. The mentioned officials were against the panel of moderators selected to run the event. This, according to a reliable source is the main reason why the debate had to be ‘postponed’.

    Involvement Newspaper has further reached out to ECD, who have yet to respond to our queries.

    More to follow…

  • TAYTU BETUL-THE ETHIOPIAN EMPRESS

    In honor of Women’s History Month, the Involvement Newspaper will be featuring African Women Leaders ,heroes and activists in a bid to remember their contributions towards a better Africa.

    By Kessy Thiauru

    kamathithiauru@gmail.com

    Thumbnail Photo Courtesy of awleadershipnarratives,wordpress.com

    Taytu Betul was the empress of the Ethiopian Empire, under Emperor Menelik II, ruling from 1889-1913. Taytu is speculated to have been born in 1851, the third born of five children.

    She is believed to have been a descendant of a prominent family as it is believed that their family had a ruling foothold in the Northern region of the Empire. It is such growing from such an aristocratic family that might have awakened the leadership abilities in her.

    Although exceptional for women living in her time, Taytu was lucky to get an education. It is believed that this was an opportunity she got after her mother got remarried to an administrator.

    She learned how to read and write Amharic, she learned the language, composed poetry, played chess, and played a begenna (a 10-string musical instrument). It is believed that she was also taught diplomacy, politics, and economics.

    Taytu had been in three other marriages before becoming the third wife to Menelik II, the King of Shoa. She was an important asset to the king as she acted as an advisor during the making of major decisions. She is said to have used her exceptional intelligence to strengthen and extend her power through an adroit blend of patronage, political marriages, and leadership craft.

    In her lifetime some of the remarkable achievements was leading the people, alongside her husband during the war against the Italians. This was after she had torn the treaty between Italians and the Ethiopians, which had intended to make Ethiopia an Italian protectorate.

    When diplomacy failed to settle the conflict over the treaty, Taytu alongside her husband, the emperor marched northwards where she commanded her platoon during the war. Her presence was crucial in the Ethiopian victory at Adwa in 1896, the most significant victory of any African army during the climax of European colonialism.

    She is also remembered as the founder of Addis Ababa, which till to date, is the capital city of Ethiopia.
    As her husband fell ill, she began to concentrate more and more power in her own hands. This eventually provoked public agitation against her and forced her into retirement.

  • A LETTER TO MY FIRST LOVE

    By Daniel Nyaga

    (danielnyaga.dn@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail Photo Courtesy of pinterest.com

    There’s something about Antique shops that captivates me.

    I guess it’s all the cool stuff they’ve got… Mostly carvings!!

    As I was walking around, this map of Africa caught my eye

    And I couldn’t help but think of our beautiful continent for a moment… I hope you enjoy the piece. 

    Oh, my Africa!!!

    How beautiful are you?

    You are a blessed continent, curved out of glory.

    The birds chirp each morning, singing a beautiful song

    The lion roars deep in the wild, as the king of the jungle.

    A land of milk and honey, where culture, heritage, and tradition are ever-flowing…

    Oh, my Africa!!

    You are a land of great heroes.

    A land of constant opportunities.

    Blessed with diversity in people…

    When will you awake my dear Africa?

    When, oh when will you stop subjecting us to these pains? 

    Oh, my Africa!!

    We are a free continent yet subjected ourselves to be slaves once more.

    Constantly killing our brothers and sisters…

    All for the name of power!

    Oh, dear…

    When will you realize that this is a train that won’t stop moving?

    Why be distracted by irrelevant issues without seeing you’ve got passengers determined for the journey? 

    Oh, my Africa!!!

    You’re full of your splendor and beauty, yet this not what you portray outside.

    You have become a den of hungry lions… Where the most powerful wants to enjoy the biggest chunk of the dead carcass on his own…

    Stop being ignorant!!

    You are the richest land for others, but hell for our mothers and children!! 

    Oh, my Africa!!!

    When will you stop harrowing in poverty?

    You have an embarrassment of talent. 

    You have all the arsenals to win this battle. However, you choose to walk around naked and not bothered by the shame and ridicule you bring.

    You are blessed with natural resources, yet the financial benefit is claimed by outsiders. Your wildlife is breath-taking, yet you kill them in exchange for money…. When will you arise my dear?

    Why eat alone when we can all share?

    Wake up dear loved one!!!

    Wake up!! 

    Oh, my Africa!!!

    In War or poverty, I love you.

    With democracy or forced dictatorship, I still love you.

    With all the hopelessness and negativity around, my love for you still remains.

    I hope you will one day reciprocate my love to you.

    That selfishness will not be what rules our continent…

    That love for power and money will not be an issue…

    I pray that Africa may once again redeem its glorious splendor, and be viewed for the beautiful continent it is…

    Where growth, brotherhood, culture, and heritage are the order of the day

    Oh, my Africa!!

    I was born here…

    I long for the day our beauty will be admired by all.

    I long for the day you will be a pillar and example to the rest of the continents.

    How long will it take?

    However, like a bride who waits for her groom… So will I wait for you!

    Oh, my Africa! 

  • ‘Machakos’ Bus Station to be converted Into Underground Car Park

    By: Nicholas Kweyu

    (nicholaskweyu99@gmail.com)

    Travelers boarding a bus at the Machakos Country Bus in Nairobi – NMG

    The Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) has made plans for the Machakos Country Bus Terminus to be converted into an underground car parking bay. The NMS has noted that city motorists lack sufficient space to park their vehicles hence the need to expand parking space.

    According to the NMS Director-General Mohammed Badi, the planned parking area will have multiple stories and will be operated digitally with car owners being charged by the hour.

    This project is meant to emulate the already implemented parking bay at the Holy Family Basilica Church that was opened in December 2019. It has 4 floors and 536 parking spaces- an increase from the 120 spaces that were previously available. It is a high-tech parking solution that also has the ability to charge electric vehicles.

    “You will come pay through mobile money, leave your car there and it will be parked for you in whichever floor of that building,” said the Director-General.

    This move is a part of a bigger project that is meant to have other parking areas in the city converted into underground parking bays which will increase capacity considerably. Major General Badi has said that the NMS is also in the process of developing underground parking for the Sunken car park in the Nairobi CBD.

    “We have seen it is affordable and we are now going to ensure that there’s enough underground parking for Nairobi residents,” said Badi.

    Parking slots on the street will be turned into spaces for pedestrians and cyclists as part of a consolidated plan to decongest the capital.

  • Adhere to DUSA Constitution for competent elections

    By Editorial

    The recently conducted vetting process for the DUSA Council and Congress aspirants has sparked debates over the inclusion of the outgoing council members. Article 8 of the student constitution gives a clear indication that the Electoral Commission shall conduct all activities related or incidental to an election.

    The participation of the incumbent council led by Aloys Otieno raises fundamental constitutional questions, placing ECD’s eligibility and competence under scrutiny. Aloys was accompanied by two of his colleagues- Arnold Bazenge and Jonah Karanja in what presidential candidate Ian Agina termed as unfair during an interview with Involvement Newspaper.

    Provisions in the constitution allow a sitting council to only participate in appointing members of the ECD, after which it resumes its official duties for the remainder of its term. Having been dormant in student affairs for over a year, the council’s sudden interest in the elections raises eyebrows.

    Having chosen an electoral commission to conduct the process, it is time for the council to sit back and let it perform its duties. Let the events that led to the cancellation of the 2019 election not be repeated. Students trust the people you put in place to lead them to a new dawn- prove to them that you made the right choice.

    These being the first elections since the incorporation of the new constitution, they act as a litmus test for the commission, with fair representation and equality of vote highly expected. Students expect nothing short of this- neither do we.

    The commission should uphold its mandate as stipulated in the constitution, and ensure that the forthcoming elections are conducted without interference from anyone not part of it- be it students, faculty or administration.

  • THE CLOSE STRANGER

    By Daniel Nyaga

    (danielnyaga.dn@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail Photo Courtesy of aa.com.tr

    There she stood…

    Short midnight-black hair, sassy but a beautiful smile.

     She had saccharine sweet lips which were lilac soft.

     Her skin shined like a thousand splendid suns.

     I admired in silent admiration afraid to utter a word…

    I finally gathered the courage to speak but to my dismay,

    She was brutal with her words. Completely unreceptive and unwelcoming to strangers.

    She was quite feisty If I may say… Though there was just something about her that fascinated me…

    Was it the puzzle of figuring her out?

     Or was I just another one of her victims?

    Our conversations were like an old, spiteful, English couple who would banter all day…

    Constantly trying to figure her out. Toiling each day to understand what goes on in her mind.

    She had built up walls that were hard to scale.

     Each time I would be close to reaching the top, she would increase the feet and I would be left with the insurmountable task of getting to the other side.

    Was she worth it? Why did she have some unexplainable power over me?

    Was my brain disconnected from my body and my heart the base of all logic?

    Days went by and our conversations became less awkward.

    I would spend hours in her presence without saying a word, though it would bring happiness that couldn’t be explained.

     She made me happy by just being there… We didn’t have to open our mouths, the silence often spoke more than enough…. It was beautiful!!

    Time went by and all I could do was sit here waiting…

    Waiting for you to notice that time is running out…

    Depending on how you’d wake up or what you’d be feeling.

    Each impulsive decision you made would constantly subject my heart to the constant throe of remorse…

    I never stood a chance!! Unable to figure you out and understand you…

    You would always change the lock to the door…

     I wish you didn’t have to leave but the date is set.

     Leaving me with a smile that struggles to be more than a grin.

    I’ve lost a piece and it’s impossible to bring it back.

     Inside I weep to conceal my pain…

     For how long? I don’t know…

    But In sadness I know that you will always be a close stranger!!!

  • SHHH….LISTEN!

    By Daniel Nyaga

    (danielnyaga.dn@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail Photo Courtesy of citylifephilly.com

    It’s been four hours since I retired to bed. Why can’t I sleep? I am exhausted… engulfed by the endless thoughts running through my mind. I should be knocked out by now.

    TRUST! That word pops up in my mind again.

    “Hello friend, why don’t you come around often?”

    “I am always here watching your every move. I don’t say much but I speak when I have to do so. If you pay attention you will always hear me. However, I need you to do something for me.”

    “What’s that?” I ask.

    “I need you to TRUST.”

    With that, I snap back to reality. I find myself wondering, “Who was talking to me?” I should probably get some sleep.

    As I turn and shut my eyes, I find myself sitting in a room. There’s a child curled up in the corner.

    It is adorned with torn clothes and blood is dripping from its hands.

    Fixated on the wall, it seems to be writing something.

    As I attempt to see what it’s writing, my attention gets shifted to the other side of the room.

    A man is sitting in the opposite corner.

    He is broad–shouldered and has a charming smile. His brown almond-shaped eyes illuminate the room. “Where did he come from?” I wonder.

    My train of thought gets interrupted as I notice something.

    The man sitting in the corner has stood up.

    His charming smile has now turned into a blank cold stare as he approaches the child with a gun in his hands.

    I try to raise an alarm but I get no reaction from the child or the man. Can’t they hear me? Am I invisible? Why are they not reacting to me?

    As the man gets closer, the child turns and I see something scribbled on the wall with its bloody hands.

    I squint to read the words; they are not only perplexing but also as vivid as the ink used to pen them.

    “When silence can only come through peace, when fear grips like a baby holding the mother’s thumb, savor it but above all TRUST!”

  • THE WOMEN’S ERA: SAMIA SULUHU HASSAN

    By Evelyne Syombua

    (issyombua@gmail.com)

    Thumbnail Photo Courtesy of bbc.com

    On Friday the 19th of March Tanzania joined WTO, some African countries, and America in making history for black and African women. On the 4th of November 2020, America made history by electing Khamala Harris, who was Biden’s running mate, as the first woman and first black woman vice president. On the 15th of February 2021, the WTO (World Trade Organization) made history by electing Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo Iweala as their 17th Director-General. 

    On Wednesday evening she was tasked with announcing the death of the late President  John Magufuli to Tanzanians and now Vice-President Samia Suluhu Hassan has taken his place as the country’s head of state.

    The Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan was on Friday sworn in at a ceremony in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam before a roomful of dignitaries as Tanzania’s first female president after the sudden death of John Magufuli.

    “It’s not a good day for me to talk to you because I have a wound in my heart,” said Hassan. “Today I have taken an oath different from the rest that I have taken in my career. Those were taken in happiness. Today I took the highest oath of office in mourning,” she said, after being sworn in at 10 am on Friday.

    President Samia Suluhu Hassan Being Sworn In. Photo Courtesy of bbc.com

    She announced 21 days of mourning for Magufuli and public holidays on March 22 and on March 25, the day the late president will be buried in her first public address as president.

    “It is not the time to point fingers at each other but to hold hands and move forward to build the new Tanzania that President Magufuli aspired to,” she said, amid opposition claims about the cause of Magufuli’s death.

    In 2015 she was elected as Tanzanian’s first female vice president as Magufuli’s running mate and last year she was re-elected along with him. His choice of her for a running mate in 2015 came as a surprise, leaping over several other more prominent politicians in the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, which has been in power in one form or another since independence in 1961. As the constitution states, she should serve out the rest of the five-year term as the President. 

    She joins a shortlist of women on the continent to have run their countries and currently, she becomes Africa’s only current female national leader – the Ethiopian presidency is a largely ceremonial role.

    She was first elected to a public office in 2000 in her native Zanzibar as a special seat member of the Zanzibar House of Representatives and appointed a minister. At the time, she was the only high-ranking female minister in the Cabinet.

     She eyed election to the National Assembly in 2010, after serving two terms, winning the vote by more than 80%. The former President Jakaya Kikwete appointed her as the minister of state for union affairs. In 2014 she came to national prominence as the vice-chairperson of the Constituent Assembly, created to draft a new constitution.  She earned her plaudits through her calm demeanor in managing occasional outbreaks of pandemonium and how she dealt with some of the more outspoken members.

    The Tanzanian’s affectionately know her as Mama Samia – since in the Tanzanian culture that reflects the respect she is held in, rather than reducing her to a gendered role.

    When she was serving as the minister of labour, gender development and children in Zanzibar in 2005, she overturned a ban on young mothers returning to school after giving birth. The late President Magufuli insisted that a similar ban be implemented on the mainland. It is not clear whether she opposed his stance in government.

    Contrary to her predecessor, her leadership style is purportedly quite different from Magufuli’s. Samia Suluhu Hassan has been described as a much more diplomatic political figure. Among her colleagues she is known for following the correct procedures and calmly managing conflicts among MPs.

    “She does have good negotiation skills,” said Sarungi. “I think the fact that she’s very calm and doesn’t often show emotions but is firm, as well as the fact that she’s got a sense of humor. And of course, that contrasts very sharply with the late president, Magufuli.”  

    Sarungi warns against expecting too much from her this soon, “I think the expectations are huge,” she said. “Tanzanians are very eager to open up a new chapter after a very dark, controversial, and extremely divisive five-and-a-half years of John Magufuli.”

    “But at the end of the day, she’s coming from a political party. The same party that gave us John Magufuli.”

    For his hasty and having an intolerant approach towards policymaking the late president was dubbed “The Bulldozer”. The uncertainty of whether she will remain loyal to Magufuli’s controversial policies or push for change remains to be answered. The late President Magufuli drew criticism for banning pregnant girls from attending school and urging women to stop taking birth control pills.

    Nonetheless, many Tanzanians still expressed approval and respect for the decisions Magufuli made while in office. Her first public address leaked a few clues on how she might approach her new role.

    “It was too controversial in the sense that she talked about reconciliation and burying the differences,” said Sarungi. “This is a very flippant remark when there are serious issues  including abuses of human rights…These are issues that she needs to start grappling within a more meaningful way.”