The new Tanzanian president has been able to achieve more than many had expected.
There was a perception that there would be no difference between him and presidents before him.
But, President John Magufuli has surprised many when he changed Tanzania’s Independence Day into a day of cleaning towns. The celebrations would have appealed to many people but he saw it as a waste of public resources.
Every year we celebrate independence, wasting huge sums of national resources, energy and time in the midst of insecurity, corruption and other unending problems that have been there for decades.
Such huge sums of money spent on celebrations could be better used on projects that have good returns such as assisting poor farmers who are struggling to produce food for the country or even repairing infrastructure.
Wastage of resources, not only on travelling but huge celebrations, should be condemned.
Our leaders and others in Africa should emulate Magufuli who served by example. He was seen in the media collecting garbage.
{Mohamed Sheikh, Nairobi}
Let’s cut down the country’s expenditure by cancelling Jamhuri Day celebrations because there is nothing to celebrate.
This day and the other two national holidays (Mashujaa and Madaraka) have lost meaning because they are celebrated by just few Kenyan families.
We do not have to spend so much to entertain just a few in the name of celebrating independence day. Kenyans should go mark the occasion to sweep the nation clean of corruption. We need to cleanse all the Government offices of corruption.
LOOTED ASSETS
Tough-talking by the President on occasions like this will not eliminate corruption. Kenyans should stop celebrating a looting nation. Leaders have created shortcuts to everything.
The country is under siege with massive corrupt practices being the order of the day. Some Kenyans no longer want to work like before. They want to get things easily, especially through corruption.
The looted assets and monies being stashed in foreign bank accounts which have costed Kenyans taxpayers’ a lot of money, must be returned before we have any celebrations. The corrupt should be named and prosecuted if we are to have something to celebrate about.
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{Justin N Nkaranga, Mombasa}
Jamhuri Day always brings Kenyans together as they mark their attainment of independence which they got 52 years ago.
Since independence Kenya has progressed in terms of democracy and attracted more investment from the local and international markets.
This year only, Kenya received very inspiring leaders in the world. The most powerful leader in the world, US President Barack Obama, jetted in and advised the leadership on issues touching on development.
He told Kenyans that they can change the face of the country without relying on leaders.
Last month, Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, visited the country and spoke on a number of matters affecting the country.
Next year, the nation will be hosting the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
Kenyans should be proud of the country’s progress and believe it is a blessed nation.
{Eboya Kevin, via email}