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 ourselves, Tanzania - with the inclusion of Zanzibar - has had the pleasure of several heads of state during its young years as a nation-state.

It hasn't been easy, or straightforward. As a rule, we don't talk about that.

Upon the news of the passing of President Ali Hassan Mwinyi, a picture made the rounds on social media lamenting the fact that only one person in it was still living - President Jakaya Kikwete. I think the point was that this was a lamentable state to be in.

First of all, this left out Zanzibar, as usual, which has a coupl...