Zitto bids his voters farewell

Dar es Salaam (The Citizen). Kigoma North MP Zitto Kabwe yesterday left the public guessing on his next political move when he declared that he would not defend the seat in the October 2015 General Election.   But the firebrand politician, who has served as MP for 10 years, hinted that he would continue in an undeclared position that would enable him to extend his public service and the war against corruption. He was first elected in 2005, aged 29.

     

Addressing a well-attended rally at Mwandiga grounds, Mr Kabwe said he would make his future plans known in due course as his adoring voters pleaded with him to stay on.   

Many Tanzanians expected the young politician to use the rally to reveal the party he was planning to join after the High Court threw out a case he had filed to block the opposition Chadema from expelling him. Mr Kabwe launched his political career with the party in which he rose to become deputy secretary-general.

Unconfirmed reports say Mr Kabwe could be headed to the Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT-Tanzania), the party in which his close associates took refuge after they were kicked out of Chadema.

ACT-Tanzania is planning a major unveiling rally at the end of this month in Dar es Salaam and throughout Mr Kabwe’s visit to Kigoma there were tell-tale signs that he could be headed there, with youth around him donning T-shirts in the party’s colours.

The MP is also expected to shed light on his future during the parliamentary sitting opening tomorrow in Dodoma.

Yesterday, however, without giving any hint on his next move, Mr Kabwe thanked Kigoma North voters for trusting and supporting him for the 10 years of his service to the constituency and the nation at large.

He said: “I came here to ask for your votes when I was a young man of 29 in 2005...you accepted, trusted and supported me.  I will always stand with you even when I will no longer be leading this constituency,” he said.

Mr Kabwe quoted former Burkina Faso revolutionist Thomas Sankara saying  that, for one to bring true change, one must act like a mad man.

He said: “I buy Thomas Sankara’s ideas that I will always stand for my good ideas that aim at bringing positive change for the majority Tanzanians even if they seem unconventional.”

Mr Kabwe, who toured the constituency for two days, visiting some of the projects in progress and donating an ambulance he had promised during the 2005 campaigns, said it was the right time to give the opportunity to others to lead the constituency. However, he assured his voters that he will never stop fighting for Tanzania’s interest at the national platform.

“I will not be your MP after the October General Election, but I will never stop fighting for Kigoma Region’s and Tanzanians’ interests in general,” said Mr Kabwe.

He added: “Our generation must stand and fight against corruption, ignorance, diseases and poverty, I will not stop in this fight until we create a clean nation that respect and values everybody.”

Mr Kabwe said in his 10 years as an MP, he made many friends and enemies alike, but gained skills and experience in politics and leadership altogether. “Today I stand here to thank you for giving me the opportunity to learn and gain experience. I can assure you that I have created many friends and a few enemies; however, my conscience is clear, I hate no one,” he said.

On development in the constituency, Mr Kabwe said he was proud of positive changes that have been recorded in the past 10 years and that the next MP should continue the good work he initiated.

At least 16 villages have been connected to electricity. He called Kigoma politicians to continue with the implementation of Malagarasi power project, which is capable of generating 44MW.

“The Malagarasi power project will be the lasting solution to Kigoma region power problems, I would like to ask those who will be leaders after October General Election to push for this project and make sure it materialise,” he said.

He added: “Today our constituency is connected to other areas with tarmac roads with a total of 100 kilometres, we have improved health services, we have build schools, Malagarasi Bridge, markets, and many other projects have been and are being implemented,” said Mr Kabwe.

According to the MP, 10 years in Parliament has exposed him to various political and leadership challenges and that he was happy and looking forward to use that experience for the betterment of the nation.