Daily Nation:*- Opinion*|Tanzanians waking up from long slumber
Over the years, Tanzanians have regarded Kenyans as a crazy lot. A quiet, peaceful and united people, to them, Kenyas historic noises across the border and Kenyas impudent corruption and alleged inhumanity, explain their disquiet within the East African Community and also why they joined the Southern Africas economic community.
Indeed, Tanzanias Julius Nyerere once described Kenya as a man-eat-man society.
I am a Kenyan by default as most of my clansmen and women are Tanzanians. My paternal grandfather and grandmother are buried in Musoma. But my father acquired a wife in Yimbo and stayed on, so I was born Kenyan, but every time I visit my family in Musoma, they always ask me: Why do Kenyans behave the way they do?
I once explained to them that the difference between Kenyans and Tanzanians could only be explained historically, by the fact that Kenyans are socially more developed, that our White settler economy heightened our political and social aggressiveness.
I further told them that our competition with the White settlers, Indians and Arabs led the race for extensive education, for land greediness and for political bickering, and that even after the White settlers had gone, the spirit for competitiveness and jostling has continued.
I told them that in a little while, with expanded education and social growth, Tanzanians will fall in line and behave just like Kenyans.
Some agreed with my analysis, although they hoped that as they developed their path would be different, would be humane and would be less cantankerous.
Indeed, our post-2007 civil strife simply confirmed to them that Kenyans are a loony crowd.
Well, their turn has arrived. In less than six months since their last general elections, Tanzanians are demonstrating against stolen elections.
They want a new and more democratic constitution. They have just realised that behind their slumber, some of their leaders have been doing bad things, and the other day in Arusha, five Tanzanians were killed and 60 injured as regional police fired into a demonstrating crowd.
The protests were over the Arusha mayoral elections, which have been disputed by the opposition party, Chadema.
Earlier, demonstrations in Dar es Salaam over the quest for a new constitution were also dispersed by police.
Fortunately, the Tanzanian Head of State, Mr Jakaya Kikwete, is a cool and considerate gentleman, unlike most African leaders. He has already indicated his willingness to appoint a constitutional commission.
But the democratic train, being ridden by the radicals, the Zanzibari secessionists, the tribalists and wranglers, has just left the station, and must be contained, without police bullets.
Even more important, time for singing the old socialist lullaby is over and Tanzanians must learn to live with a rattling and discordant capitalist tune.
It is equally important for Tanzanians to quickly learn that Kenyans are with them and that together, we can make East Africa a very pleasant place to live in.
Together we must push the East African Community forward, in order to expand the benefits of our region, for ourselves, our children and our progeny.
Prof Ochieng teaches History at Maseno University.
Indeed, Tanzanias Julius Nyerere once described Kenya as a man-eat-man society.
I am a Kenyan by default as most of my clansmen and women are Tanzanians. My paternal grandfather and grandmother are buried in Musoma. But my father acquired a wife in Yimbo and stayed on, so I was born Kenyan, but every time I visit my family in Musoma, they always ask me: Why do Kenyans behave the way they do?
I once explained to them that the difference between Kenyans and Tanzanians could only be explained historically, by the fact that Kenyans are socially more developed, that our White settler economy heightened our political and social aggressiveness.
I further told them that our competition with the White settlers, Indians and Arabs led the race for extensive education, for land greediness and for political bickering, and that even after the White settlers had gone, the spirit for competitiveness and jostling has continued.
I told them that in a little while, with expanded education and social growth, Tanzanians will fall in line and behave just like Kenyans.
Some agreed with my analysis, although they hoped that as they developed their path would be different, would be humane and would be less cantankerous.
Indeed, our post-2007 civil strife simply confirmed to them that Kenyans are a loony crowd.
Well, their turn has arrived. In less than six months since their last general elections, Tanzanians are demonstrating against stolen elections.
They want a new and more democratic constitution. They have just realised that behind their slumber, some of their leaders have been doing bad things, and the other day in Arusha, five Tanzanians were killed and 60 injured as regional police fired into a demonstrating crowd.
The protests were over the Arusha mayoral elections, which have been disputed by the opposition party, Chadema.
Earlier, demonstrations in Dar es Salaam over the quest for a new constitution were also dispersed by police.
Fortunately, the Tanzanian Head of State, Mr Jakaya Kikwete, is a cool and considerate gentleman, unlike most African leaders. He has already indicated his willingness to appoint a constitutional commission.
But the democratic train, being ridden by the radicals, the Zanzibari secessionists, the tribalists and wranglers, has just left the station, and must be contained, without police bullets.
Even more important, time for singing the old socialist lullaby is over and Tanzanians must learn to live with a rattling and discordant capitalist tune.
It is equally important for Tanzanians to quickly learn that Kenyans are with them and that together, we can make East Africa a very pleasant place to live in.
Together we must push the East African Community forward, in order to expand the benefits of our region, for ourselves, our children and our progeny.
Prof Ochieng teaches History at Maseno University.
