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The Namanga border between Kenya and Tanzania. DThe Mo Ibrahim Foundation released a study that showed that Tanzania scored highly in both national and citizen's personal security, an indication that the state is committing enough resources towards the safety of its people. Photo/ANTHONY KAMAU
By JEREMIAH KIPLANG'AT, Special Correspondent
Posted Sunday, October 16 2011 at 11:11
IN SUMMARY
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation released a study that showed that Tanzania scored highly in both national and citizen's personal security, an indication that the state is committing enough resources towards the safety of its people.
Tanzania scored 90 out of 100 in its national security, while Kenya came second in the region with 78.
Uganda, over a year after it suffered deadly twin bomb attacks by the Somali-based terror group, Al Shaabab, managed 72, Burundi 66, while Rwanda scored only 54.
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation was established in 2006 and aims at supporting good governance and great leadership in Africa.
Tanzania leads other East African Community members in ensuring that its citizens are secure, a new report has indicated.
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation released a study that showed that Tanzania scored highly in both national and citizen's personal security, an indication that the state is committing enough resources towards the safety of its people.
Tanzania scored 90 out of 100 in its national security, while Kenya came second in the region with 78. Uganda, over a year after it suffered deadly twin bomb attacks by the Somali-based terror group, Al Shaabab, managed 72, Burundi 66, while Rwanda scored only 54.
The study on national security covered such areas as cross-border tensions, domestic armed conflict and government involvement in armed conflict.
On people's safety, Tanzania ranked high, scoring a fairly average mark of 49 with Kenya coming last with 31; Uganda had 46, Rwanda 40 and Burundi, 34.
In addition to its dismal performance on citizen's safety, Kenya's business environment (57), said to be among the most vibrant in the region and attractive to international companies, was found wanting. Rwanda led in this category with 69 points. Tanzania came second with 63. The good business climate in Rwanda has attracted investors.
Sadolin Paints group managing director, Salim Alibhai said, "It is the most business friendly country in the region. It is much easier to operate a business there than even Kenya."
In the 2011 Ibrahim Index of African Governance, Tanzania was again the top overall performer, coming in at position 13 out of the 53 African countries, excluding South Sudan which was not surveyed because it got Independence in July.
Last year, Tanzania beat the other four but was 16th in Africa. Uganda came second at 20 (24th last year), Kenya third at 23 (26th), Rwanda, 25 (31st) and Burundi 37 (33rd).
Mauritius maintained its first overall position emerging with 82 points, one less than last year's.
Despite adopting a new, people friendly Constitution last year, Kenya could still not beat other states in the regional bloc to the first slot.
Kenya was let down by its poor showing in infrastructure development and ensuring personal safety- a category covering safety against domestic political persecution, social unrests, violent crimes, human trafficking.
Kenya was 26th in the last index and its slight improvement was lauded by the Governance Forum, an organisation keeping track of governance issues in the country.
The annual Ibrahim Prize, worth $5 million over 10 years and $200,000 a year for life for the winner, was awarded to former Cape Verde president Pedro Verona Pires.
The independent Prize Committee said Mr Pires had transformed the African country into a "model democratic country."
The last winner was former Botswana President Festus Mogae in 2008. Inaugural awardees were Nelson Mandela (honorary laureate) and Joaquim Chissano (former Mozambique President) who won the Prize in 2007.
"The new constitution has given Kenyans an opportunity to participate in many activities which were initially shrouded in mystery," said Ms Wanjiku Mbugua, the Governance Forum executive director.
She further pointed out the rather new phenomenon where the appointment of the Chief Justice and the Director of Public Prosecutions, was made a public affair and Kenyans, through interview panels, allowed to interrogate the applicants.
Ms Wanjiku said such public-participatory affairs were promoting the country's level of governance.
About the latest index, Dr Mo Ibrahim, the chair and founder of the Foundation, said the youth were taking head on the older generation in matters of their governance.
"We have seen this year that Africa's young majority are no longer willing to stand for the selective approach to governance adopted by many of our continent's governments.
Our young people are demanding a holistic, equitable and inclusive approach to the management of their countries" said Dr Mo Ibrahim on the foundation's website.
The annual Ibrahim Prize, worth $5million over 10 years and $200,000 a year for life for the winner, was awarded to former Cape Verde President Pedro Verona Pires.
The independent Prize Committee said Mr Pires had transformed the African country into a "model democratic country."
The last winner was former Botswana President Festus Mogae in 2008.
Inaugural awardees were Nelson Mandela (honorary laureate) and Joaquim Chissano (former Mozambique President) who won the Prize in 2007.
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation was established in 2006 and aims at supporting good governance and great leadership in Africa.
