Some of us are (obviously) living as citizens and others as subjects

Nairobi, April 20 -- Someone recently suggested that I should be grateful to be a Tanzanian citizen, considering how well my country is doing. To be fair, I have to be careful not to relish the happy ... Read More

Taxation is an idea I like; it's tax redistribution that's a problem

Nairobi, April 13 -- Few things can deepen a meditation on the nature of the State and governance quite like a yearly invitation to hand over a share of one's alleged income in the form of taxation. ... Read More

Revelations in the dark: Not even the state can keep the lights on

Nairobi, April 6 -- Recently, Tanzania suffered a massive power cut. This is notable for two reasons. Firstly, while it is customary for there to be rationing during the drier months of the year, the ... Read More

What's in a name? Why assign gender to positions of power?

Nairobi, March 30 -- To conclude this year's Women's Month of March, a reflection on women and power. I want to revisit the fact that some people in my polity debated the titles used for the Commander... Read More

Let's create Presidents Day to mark our successful successions

Nairobi, March 23 -- As March 17 came and went again in Dar es Salaam, I wondered idly if it was time for us to consider having a Presidents Day. A celebration of the fact that, somehow, in spite of o... Read More

Mwinyi was the grandpa we didn't know we needed until he left us

Nairobi, March 16 -- I've liked almost all our presidents, which gets me accused of being a sentimental naif, but even in a country as rich in charmingly approachable heads of state there are some mor... Read More

African Union needs to reboot, but not with octogenarian men

Nairobi, March 9 -- Former President Jakaya Kikwete recently stated that he supports Raila Odinga for the position of Chairman of the African Union Commission. Mr Odinga is 79 years old. At first, I ... Read More

This is not the hottest summer or most acute power shortage

Nairobi, Feb. 24 -- Strictly logical people are difficult for us poets to handle. I was complaining to an associate about the heatwave and how this year is surely the longest and hottest summer on rec... Read More

Incandescent with fury, a tornado, Lowassa thus earned my respect

Nairobi, Feb. 17 -- The news of the passing of Edward Lowassa was sad to receive. I had to sit with it for a day to understand where this welling of emotion was coming from. Death is too much a part ... Read More

'Toxic' obedience in Age of AI: Where are our vulnerabilities?

Nairobi, Feb. 10 -- In an amazing heist, thieves in Hong Kong used AI to convince a man to transfer millions of dollars to them from the company he worked at. They did this by posing as his superior,... Read More

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