Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. The East African Community (EAC), long celebrated as Africa’s most ambitious regional integration project, is facing a credibility crisis that now strikes at its institutional core.

For three consecutive months, Members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and staff claim to have gone unpaid, paralysing operations and reviving painful memories of the Community’s collapse in 1977. An internal memo dated January 27 from EAC Secretary General, Veronica Nduva, to the Clerk of EALA (seen by The Citizen) sought an explanation for the non-payment of salaries since November 2025. The financial strain has even resulted in commercial banks struggling to recover loan instalments from MPs whose incomes have stalled, an issue that was raised by Kenyan EALA MP David Sankok. Mr Sankok, while speaking to a local television, said: “It has been difficult to receive our salaries regularly.

When sittings are adjourned frequently, it becomes very difficult to execute our legislative mandate effectively.” Behind the salary delays lies a deeper structural problem: the failure of several Partner States to remit their statutory contributions to the Community’s budget.

Under the current financing arrangement, each of the eight member states is required to contribute $7 million annually as an equal share. These contributions finance salaries for MPs, judges and staff, as well as the operations of the Secretariat and other organs headquartered in Arusha.

When even one country defaults, the entire institutional machinery feels the shock. In an interview with The Citizen recently, Tanzanian EALA MP, Dr Abdullah Hasnu Makame, stressed that, still, only four countries, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, have consistently honoured their obligations.

South Sudan, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Somalia have struggled to remit contributions on time, with some accumulating significant arrears. Dr Makame said that South Sudan’s outstanding arrears once exceeded $45 million.

When the country assumed the EAC chairmanship, the Summit announced that the debt would be forgiven after it paid $15 million. He argued that such a decision lacks legal grounding under the EAC Treaty.

“The Treaty does not provide for cancellation of debt. It must either be paid or a lawful repayment arrangement established,” he said.

“By waiving it, we create a dangerous precedent. Already, Burundi has requested similar treatment.

” Kenyan MP Sankok echoed the frustration, saying the burden has effectively fallen on compliant states. “It is the money from four countries that is sustaining the entire Assembly, including representatives from non-remitting states.

The DRC, for example, has never paid a coin,” he claimed. The legal framework of the Community appears clear.

Articles 143 and 146 provide mechanisms for enforcing compliance. Article 143 allows for sanctions against a Partner State that fails to meet its obligations, while Article 146 provides for suspension in cases of serious and persistent violation of the Treaty.

Yet these provisions remain dormant. Dr Makame describes the situation as a failure of enforcement rather than absence of law.

He notes that sanctions and suspension require action by the Heads of State upon recommendation of sectoral ministers, but such recommendations have not been operationalised. Directives issued at Summit level frequently stall at ministerial implementation stage.

“It is astonishing that Heads of State issue clear instructions, yet implementation does not follow,” he said. “This is a Treaty-based Community.

Deviating from it at regional level is equivalent to violating the Constitution at national level.” Stagnation in the integration agenda The financial crisis also reflects broader stagnation in the integration agenda, according to Dr Makame.

In 2013, the EAC adopted the Monetary Union Protocol, outlining a 10-year roadmap from 2014 to 2024 to establish institutions necessary for a single currency, including surveillance and regulatory bodies that would culminate in an East African Central Bank. In 2022, finance ministers extended the deadline to 2031, acknowledging slow progress.

To date, none of the four key institutions envisaged under the protocol has been established, despite enabling legislation passed by EALA. But beyond the immediate budgetary stress, regional observers argue that the unfolding crisis is a test of leadership at the highest level.

Writing in Rwanda’s The New Times, regional governance expert Mr Mugendi Nyaga described the choice of the next EAC Secretary General as “a make-or-break moment for the Jumuiya,” warning that the bloc risks drifting into institutional paralysis if competence and reform credentials are subordinated to political compromise. “The next Secretary General must be more than a ceremonial coordinator,” Mr Nyaga argued.

“He or she must be a reformist with the courage to enforce compliance and the diplomatic skill to build consensus among Partner States.” He cautioned that the EAC’s expansion from three to eight member states has significantly increased complexity, without a corresponding strengthening of enforcement mechanisms.

“Enlargement without discipline,” he wrote, “creates a wider table but weaker cohesion.” Mr Nyaga further warned that chronic non-remittance of contributions signals not merely fiscal distress but waning political commitment.

“If Partner States cannot finance the institutions they have created, then integration becomes rhetoric rather than reality,” he observed. His argument speaks directly to the current salary impasse.

An institution unable to pay its legislators and staff risks eroding public trust and investor confidence in the wider integration project. The budgetary conundrum Budget constraints and limited political commitment have repeatedly delayed implementation.

Recent EAC budget reports indicate that the Community’s annual budget has hovered between $100 million and $110 million in recent years, with Partner State contributions forming a core component alongside development partner support. Delayed remittances have created recurring cash flow crises, undermining programme execution and institutional stability.

Regional integration analyst Prof Samuel Msofe argued that the equal contribution model may no longer be sustainable in an expanded eight-member bloc with vastly different economic capacities. “A formula reflecting GDP size or fiscal strength,” he suggests, “could enhance fairness and compliance.

” However, according to Dr Makame, the matter has been discussed at ministerial level but remains unresolved. Beyond finances, the credibility of the integration project is under strain.

Despite protocols guaranteeing free movement and good neighbourliness, member states occasionally impose trade restrictions and close borders, sometimes resolving disputes outside formal Community mechanisms. Such actions, experts warn, erode trust and weaken institutional authority.

Dr Makame sees the crisis as fundamentally about accountability. “The Treaty is binding law.

If sanctions exist but are never invoked, commitments risk becoming symbolic rather than enforceable.” In this context, Mr Nyaga’s warning appears particularly prescient.

“Regional integration,” he wrote, “is sustained by predictability, rule-based governance and shared sacrifice. Once these are compromised, the architecture begins to crack from within.

” Dr Makame’s assessment is stark. “The EAC is currently in ICU.

The doctors are the Heads of State. They must sit, identify the cracks and fix them urgently.

” He warns that another collapse would be far more damaging than that of 1977. The revival in 1999 was accompanied by solemn commitments that the Community would never again disintegrate due to mismanagement and mistrust. “If it were to fail now, rebuilding confidence across eight member states would be exponentially harder,” he said.

Proposals to stabilise the bloc include enforcing Treaty provisions on sanctions where necessary, reforming the contribution formula to reflect economic realities, insulating salary payments from political delays and attaching binding timelines to Summit directives. Ultimately, however, the survival of the EAC hinges less on legal text and more on political will.

“Integration cannot survive on speeches alone,” Prof Msofe said. “It requires discipline, enforcement and respect for collective obligations.

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Dar es Salaam. The prosecution witness who identified himself as member of Chadema on Monday disowned the opposition party’s national chairman Tundu Lissu in court as he testified against him.

The eighth witness, identified as P8, aged 26, is among the protected witnesses who testify from a special enclosure where they cannot be seen by the public or the accused, but only by the judges. At the outset of his testimony, P8 introduced himself as a Chadema member but stated that Mr Lissu was not his chairman in the proceedings.

He complained that Mr Lissu had caused him problems, prompting the accused to apologise. Mr Lissu faces one count of treason, arising from remarks allegedly made on April 3, 2025 in Dar es Salaam, in which he is accused of inciting the public to obstruct the 2025 General Election.

The case is being heard at the High Court, Dar es Salaam Sub-Registry, before a three-judge panel led by Justice Dunstan Ndunguru, sitting with Justices James Karayemaha and Ferdinand Kiwonde. Led in evidence by Senior State Attorney Nassoro Katuga, the witness said he lives in Njoro, Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region, and works as a fruit trader at Manyema Market in Mbuyuni.

He told the court that he is involved in politics, though not deeply, through Chadema, and that he knew Mr Lissu as the party’s national chairman. He testified that on April 4, 2025, while using his Oppo F1X smartphone, he accessed YouTube and watched a statement by Mr Lissu on Jambo TV.

In that address, he said, Mr Lissu urged his supporters to rebel against the government and declared that they would “make things chaotic” and block the 2025 General Election if reforms were not implemented, using the phrase “no reforms, no election.” The witness said he was motivated by the remarks, recalling the 2024 local government elections when, according to him, some of their local leaders were removed and replaced with CCM officials, something he said pained him deeply.

He therefore decided to mobilise fellow youths in his neighbourhood while waiting for Mr Lissu’s directive to “make things chaotic.” On April 8, 2025, while mobilising youths in the Njoro Pepsi area, he was arrested by police as his colleagues fled.

He was taken to the office of the Regional Crime Officer (RCO) in Kilimanjaro and handed over to an officer identified as Rashid. Out of fear, he said, he chose to tell the truth and admitted that he had been mobilising youths to rebel in support of his chairman’s call of “no reforms, no election.

” He was detained and later released on bail at around 5pm, having self-bonded on condition that he report to police every Monday. He reported on April 14, 2025 and again on April 22, 2025, when his statement was recorded by an officer identified as Michael.

During cross-examination, the exchanges unfolded as follows: Lissu: Witness, on April 22 did you write a statement at the police? Witness: Yes. Lissu: If shown that statement, would you recognise it? Witness: That is a matter for the lawyers; they are the ones to decide whether to show it to me or not.

Lissu: I am asking you whether, if shown, you would recognise it. Witness: The lawyers are the ones to decide.

Lissu: Witness, are you now arguing with your chairman? Witness: You are an accused person. (The response caused laughter among members of the public in court).

Lissu: As the accused and you as the witness, please answer my question. If shown your statement, would you recognise it? Witness: As I said, the government lawyers can decide whether to show it or not.

At that point, the prosecutor Katuga intervened: Katuga: Witness, listen carefully to how the accused is asking you. Just answer as he asks.

He is asking whether, if shown, you would recognise it. It is simple.

Witness: All right. Lissu: (Repeats the question.

) Witness: I can recognise it if shown. The statement was then shown to him.

After confirming it was his, Mr Lissu asked that it be produced as a defence exhibit. The prosecution said it had no objection, and the court admitted it as defence exhibit.

Lissu: You have repeatedly said in court that the chairman said he would “make things chaotic.” What does that mean? Witness: You are the one who said you would make things chaotic.

Lissu: Do you know what “making things chaotic” (kukinukisha) means in Kiswahili? Witness: I know what “making things chaotic” means. I do not know about the rest.

Lissu: You said what motivated you to mobilise youths was what happened during the 2024 local government elections? Witness: Yes. Lissu: So your anger was due to election vote theft? Witness: That is your opinion.

Let us stick to the point. Lissu: You said you were waiting for the chairman’s directive to “make things chaotic.

” From April 4, 2025 until now, was that directive ever carried out? Witness: You are already an accused person. Lissu: After waiting for my directive, did you decide on your own to mobilise youths to rebel? Witness: (Silent) Lissu: All right, witness, let me finish with a few questions.

You are my young man; I do not want to gmake you tired. Witness: I am not your member, accused.

Lissu: Have you turned against me? Witness: Because you have placed me in trouble. I did not expect to find myself in a place like this.

Lissu: Sorry if I have brought you into these misfortunes. Witness: In your view, do you think these are good things? Mr Lissu further asked whether any leader or party member had threatened his life in connection with the case.

Witness: I have not been directly threatened, but I saw on social media that “whoever testifies in our chairman Tundu Lissu’s case, we will deal with him.” Lissu: Who said that? Does that person have no name? Witness: I cannot mention his name for my own safety, but he is a man.

Lissu: Did you report this to the police? Witness: I went to Officer Rashid. He told me not to worry, that I would be safe.

Lissu: Why did you not file a formal report with the police? Witness: Because they do not know me, and those people have never known me. Lissu: Would I be correct to say that your rebellion case was dropped so that you could come and testify in Lissu’s case? Witness: You would not be correct.

Lissu: For the offence of mobilising rebellion, why were you not charged in court? Witness: First, I thank the government — truly, leave the government out of this. If I had refused to tell the truth, the government has a long arm and would have arrested me.

But the truth sets a person free. He added that on the day he was arrested and taken to the police station, he told the truth and still could not believe he remained free to this day.

His remarks triggered laughter and murmurs in court for several seconds before Justice Ndunguru called for order. The case was adjourned to Tuesday for continuation of hearing.

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align–justifyKenya’s President William Ruto has called for an emergency summit of Heads of State of the East African Community (EAC) to attempt to deal with mounting financial crisis at the regional bloc. align–justifyThe March 7 event, due in Arusha, Tanzania will be the first formal meeting by the EAC’s topmost organ in over a year where leaders will deliberate on a new funding formula and measures to put logic to expenditure.

align–justifyPresident Ruto expects all the 8 heads of state to show up because partner states have failed to remit more than$89.3 million in contributions, crippling the Secretariat’s day-to-day operations and threatening the regional integration process. The East African Community headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

“article-picture_creditPhoto credit: File | Nation Media Group The summit is scheduled to address the funding shortfall, adopt a new financing formula proposed during the 48th Ordinary Council meeting, and agree on a mechanism for rationalising expenditure. “That matter is part of the agenda that the Heads of State must deliberate on, because they are the final decision-making organ within the EAC structures, and the final say rests with them,” said Beatrice Askul, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for EAC Affairs, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands, and Regional Development, in an exclusive interview with The East African.

“The President of Kenya, who chairs the Heads of State Summit, is keen on this issue. He wants the Heads of State to pronounce themselves on it in their capacities as Presidents.

” EAC organs and institutions are currently facing financial challenges that are significantly affecting their ability to discharge their mandate under the Treaty. Should these constraints persist, the EAC may be unable to meet its obligations, resulting in operational paralysis and potential litigation.

Ms Askul, who also chairs the EAC Council of Ministers, said her office has written to all partner states urging them to pay their annual contributions of $7 million each to ensure the smooth running of EAC affairs. “You are aware that when we called for a Heads of State Summit last year, several countries were engaged in elections, including Tanzania and later Uganda, so we were unable to meet,” she said.

“But this time we have invited them all for the summit at the beginning of March 2026.” Paralysed operations As at 31 January 2026, the EAC was owed $89,372,865 by partner states. The Democratic Republic of Congo owes $27 million, Burundi $22.7 million, South Sudan $21.8 million, Somalia $10.5 million, Rwanda $5.2 million, and Uganda $1.1 million.

Only Kenya and Tanzania have remitted their full $7 million contributions for the 2025/26 financial year. The funding crisis has paralysed operations at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), the East African Court of Justice, and other institutions.

The Inter-University Council of East Africa is owed $18.4 million and cannot operate fully. The Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation is owed $2.1 million, while the Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency, based in Kampala, is owed $3.1 million.

EALA MPs have not been paid since November, undermining their statutory obligations and slowing their oversight role. This disruption has raised concerns from financial institutions such as KCB Bank Tanzania.

“We are currently experiencing major liquidity challenges due to delayed remittances from partner states. As of 9 February, we have received only 38 per cent of the budget,” said Alex Obatre, Clerk of EALA, in a memo to MPs and staff.

“The lack of funds has negatively impacted implementation of the 2025/26 budget, resulting in salary and gratuity arrears, postponement of EALA and Audit Commission activities, and delays in settling statutory obligations.” In a separate memo dated 27 January, EAC Secretary General Veronica Nduva asked the Clerk to explain why members’ salaries had not been paid since November 2025, following complaints from KCB Bank Tanzania that it could not recover unpaid loan instalments.

East African Community Secretary-General Veronica Nduva at the opening of the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) Judicial Conference. “article-picture_creditPhoto credit: Pool The Clerk informed members that partner states had failed to remit sufficient funds to cover salaries and sittings, and urged MPs to lobby their home governments.

Kenya’s EALA MP David Sankok confirmed that members had not been paid and that sittings had stalled. “It has been difficult to receive our salaries regularly.

We have now gone some time without pay, so it is a challenge,” he said. Sankok blamed member states for failing to honour their financial obligations, singling out the Democratic Republic of Congo as having “never paid a coin” and South Sudan for significant arrears.

“One very notorious case is the Democratic Republic of Congo. They have never paid a coin.

South Sudan has been trying, but much remains pending. Yet staff and MPs depend on these funds,” he said.

He suggested establishing an EAC economic bloc to end dependency and delays in salaries. Under such a system, each member state would directly cater for the salaries and allowances of its representatives, with the remainder of the budget sent to EALA.

Currently, the 63 EALA MPs earn more than $7,000 each month in salaries and allowances. “We have MPs from eight member states.

It’s the money from four states that is supposed to pay all MPs and staff, even from non-remitting states. That is the problem–some states are not honouring their financial obligations.

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Dar es Salaam. A 26-year-old Tanzanian passenger delivered a baby girl safely while transiting through Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai on the morning of February 10 after experiencing sudden labour pains in the international transit corridor.

The airport is operated by Mumbai International Airport Limited, a joint venture between Adani Enterprises–part of the Adani Group–and the Airports Authority of India. Adani said in a statement this week that airport medical teams received the emergency alert at 5:17am and responded swiftly, finding the passenger in active labour with signs indicating imminent childbirth.

With support from on-ground stakeholders, the passenger was transferred to an airside ambulance, while terminal operations coordinated with immigration to expedite a temporary transit visa to avoid procedural delays during the medical emergency. The incident highlights the importance of emergency preparedness for travellers using major global transit hubs on long-haul routes.

“Passenger safety is our first priority. Our teams responded immediately, followed established emergency protocols, and coordinated with on-ground stakeholders to ensure the mother received timely care and a safe transfer for further medical attention.

We are relieved that both mother and baby are stable,” the statement said. By 5:40am, the ambulance had departed for hospital with the medical team and airline staff on board.

As the ambulance moved through early-morning traffic, the passenger progressed rapidly into full labour, and the medical team assisted with the delivery inside the vehicle. At 5:45am, a healthy baby girl was delivered, after which immediate neonatal care was provided, including cord clamping and initial stabilisation measures.

Both mother and newborn arrived at the hospital’s emergency room by 5:55am for further obstetric and paediatric care. Hospital authorities later confirmed that both were stable and healthy, with care continuing under standard protocols.

The response involved coordination across airport medical services, terminal operations, airline staff, immigration officials and security personnel. As international travel through major transit hubs continues to grow, the incident underscores the importance of tested emergency protocols, trained medical personnel and effective coordination to manage unexpected health events in real time.

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As we stand on the threshold of Ramadhan, with only a few days remaining before the crescent moon graces our skies, a familiar anticipation settles in the hearts of millions of Muslims across Tanzania and the world. For many, this sacred month follows a predictable rhythm: prayer, charity, communal meals and the daily discipline of abstaining from dawn to sunset.

Yet perhaps this year demands more than routine. It asks a deeper question: will we simply fast, or will we truly change? Ramadhan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, the period during which the Holy Qur’an was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as guidance, mercy and illumination for humanity.

Fasting in Ramadhan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, a compulsory act for every adult Muslim who is healthy and able. But its essence goes far beyond physical restraint from food and drink.

At its core, fasting is a form of spiritual recalibration. Too often, spirituality becomes compartmentalised.

We pray, we give charity, we read the Qur’an, yet these practices can slip into habit. They become automatic, like clockwork, detached from the deeper meaning they are meant to cultivate.

Ramadhan disrupts that monotony. It invites us to feel our faith more deeply, to practise it with intention rather than routine.

Fasting is designed to awaken empathy, especially for those who experience hunger not by choice, but by circumstance. In a country like Tanzania, where communities live under vastly different economic realities, this empathy is crucial.

When a well-to-do professional fasts, the experience may be a temporary discomfort. But for someone living in poverty, hunger is not seasonal or symbolic.

It is daily and persistent. Ramadhan reminds us that empathy must extend beyond reflection; it must lead to action.

While fasting is often spoken of as an individual obligation, Islam frames it within a broader moral vision: compassion, charity, integrity and kindness. We are encouraged to forgive, to abandon hurtful speech, to act with humility and to support our neighbours, family and strangers alike.

In essence, Ramadhan is a month that calls us to repair ourselves so that we may repair the world around us. Prophetic traditions tell us that during this holy time the gates of mercy are opened, the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.

Yet perhaps the greatest mercy of all is that Ramadhan offers a yearly opportunity to reset our moral compass. It reminds us of values that are both timeless and urgently needed today: mercy over malice, generosity over greed, patience over anger.

In the rush of modern life, many of us are consumed by deadlines, anxieties and pursuits that leave us distant from what truly matters. Ramadhan intervenes in that cycle.

It slows us down. It calls us to carve out time for prayer, reflection, reading the Qur’an and strengthening the bonds of family and community.

It reminds us that the pace of our spiritual and ethical lives should not always be dictated by external pressures. When families and communities gather for iftar across Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Dodoma, Mwanza, Zanzibar and beyond, they share more than dates and water.

They share gratitude, laughter and a quiet sense of fellowship. These moments, simple yet profound, reveal the beauty of unity in diversity.

Food tastes better after a day of restraint. Conversations feel warmer.

Hearts grow softer. But as we prepare for these familiar rituals, we must also remember those for whom Ramadhan will be especially difficult: the sick, the elderly, the displaced, the hungry and the disadvantaged.

This month should not become a spectacle of personal piety or social display. It should be anchored in collective compassion.

True worship radiates outward. When we ease another person’s hardship, we embody the spirit of Ramadhan.

Charity in Islam is not optional. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that the best people are those most beneficial to others.

During Ramadhan, the practices of zakat and sadaqah reach their peak. But these acts are not merely financial transactions; they are expressions of solidarity.

Feeding the hungry, supporting an orphan, visiting the lonely or helping a struggling neighbour are all ways of living the moral message of the month. Yet renewal must also be internal.

Ramadhan calls us to confront the self. Fasting teaches restraint, but it also teaches mindfulness.

How often do we allow anger to dictate our words? How often do we let pride override compassion? The discipline of fasting invites introspection. It encourages us to resist our worst impulses and cultivate virtues that endure long after the crescent moon fades.

As Ramadhan approaches, both Muslims and non-Muslims can see in it a reminder of our shared humanity. At a time when societies are increasingly divided by politics, sectarianism and superficial differences, the message of Ramadhan remains clear: human dignity is sacred, compassion is essential, and the struggle towards goodness unites us far more than our differences divide us.

This year, then, let the question linger: will we simply fast, or will we truly change? Ramadhan should be more than a date on the calendar. It should be a turning point in how we live, how we treat others and how we understand ourselves.

Seif Kabelele is a Digital Strategist and Communications Expert. .

Dar es Salaam. A new entrant into Tanzania’s commercial vehicle market has pledged to slash per-kilometre operating energy costs by up to 86 percent, as the country receives its first fully electric dual-cab pickup trucks.

Local electric vehicle firm JTP Auto told The Citizen that the launch marks a significant milestone in the shift towards cleaner and more affordable transport solutions. According to company specifications, the pickup offers a driving range of up to 450 kilometres on a single charge, positioning it against the diesel-powered vehicles that dominate Tanzania’s construction, mining and distribution sectors.

Founder Dr Amar Shanghavi said the move reflects structural changes in the market rather than opportunism. “What really changed the equation is that three things came together at the same time.

First, battery range has improved significantly, which addresses range anxiety. Also, Tanzania’s electricity supply has stabilised, with generation now meeting demand,” he said.

“And finally, innovation and competition in China mean electric vehicles are now truly on par with internal combustion engine vehicles in terms of performance and durability,” he added. He said the economics underpin the company’s pitch.

Beyond lower energy costs, maintenance expenses are projected to be about 50 percent lower over a ten-year period, even after factoring in a full battery replacement. Electric drive-trains have fewer moving parts than internal combustion engines, reducing wear and tear and lowering servicing requirements — a factor that could appeal to fleet operators whose margins are vulnerable to fuel price volatility.

Diesel prices in Tanzania have historically tracked global oil markets, exposing transport-intensive sectors to foreign exchange and import cost pressures. Electricity, by contrast, is largely domestically generated, with tariffs among the lowest in the region.

Infrastructure, however, remains a key consideration. Dr Shanghavi said each vehicle will be supplied with a standard charger compatible with ordinary electrical outlets, enabling overnight charging nationwide.

At the same time, the company is developing a fast-charging network branded JTP-BOOST to support commercial and intercity operations. It said it is installing what it describes as Tanzania’s first public high-speed charging station this month.

The firm is initially targeting commercial fleets, particularly last-mile delivery operators in the fast-moving consumer goods segment, where predictable routes make charging logistics manageable and cost savings easier to quantify. “The biggest challenge is that electric vehicles are still new for many consumers,” Dr Shanghavi said.

“That means we need to build trust both in the technology itself and in us as a company. Education, transparency and real-world demonstrations are key.

” Looking ahead, the company plans to establish local assembly operations within two years, subject to regulatory facilitation and sustained policy support for e-mobility. Discussions with the Tanzania Investment Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA) are ongoing, according to Dr Shanghavi.

If realised, the adoption of electric pickups would represent more than a technological upgrade. It would signal the early stages of a structural transition in a transport sector that underpins trade, agriculture and construction — and where cost per kilometre ultimately determines competitiveness.

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Tanga. Five people have died after being buried under debris following a collapse at a sand quarry in Makuyuni village, Korogwe District in northeastern Tanzania.

The accident occurred at around 5:30pm on February 15, 2026, while the victims were engaged in sand excavation activities. Tanga Regional Police Commander Almachius Mchunguzi said the incident was caused by the sudden collapse of soil embankments, which fell on the miners.

“The soil embankment gave way suddenly and buried five people who were excavating,” he said, noting that the victims died at the scene. Rescue efforts involved the Police Force, the Fire and Rescue Service and local residents, who managed to retrieve the bodies from beneath the debris.

The bodies have been taken to Makuyuni Council Hospital in Korogwe Rural District for legal procedures and burial arrangements. Police have urged people involved in mining activities to observe workplace safety regulations, warning that negligence in taking precautions can plunge families into grief.

They also called on village and street leaders to closely supervise quarry operations to prevent similar tragedies. .

Dar es Salaam. The Board of Directors of Mofat Company Limited has inspected the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system as part of efforts to develop strategies to improve service standards.

Board chairperson Mr Gaudence Temu said on Monday, February 16 that the visit–from Kivukoni Terminal to Mbagala–enabled directors to observe operations first-hand, engage passengers and identify operational challenges. “We want to introduce improvements that will make our services comparable to those offered in the airline industry, particularly in terms of efficiency, reliability and customer care.

The BRT project is important to many people who rely on it daily, and this visit has helped us gather passengers’ views so that we can develop practical strategies for better service delivery,” he said. Mr Temu revealed that more than 30 BRT buses have been damaged due to misuse of dedicated lanes by unauthorised road users, including tricycle riders.

“We appeal to the public to treat the buses and infrastructure as their own property,” he said. He said that frequent encroachment on BRT lanes–designed exclusively for high-speed buses to ensure smooth and uninterrupted journeys–remains one of the biggest challenges facing the service.

Despite the restriction, the lanes are often used by motorcycle taxis (bodaboda), three-wheeled vehicles (bajaji) and private motorists, a practice that disrupts operations and increases safety risks. Responding to concerns about smart travel cards, Mr Temu said there was no shortage at present, noting that adequate numbers were already in circulation.

He added that the company would continue reviewing the system to ensure further improvements where necessary. Another board member, Mr Henry John Chenge, acknowledged the economic pressures facing bodaboda and bajaji operators but stressed that the dedicated lanes must remain reserved for BRT buses.

“This is especially important for safety. Bus drivers must exercise great care to avoid accidents, and the presence of other vehicles in these lanes increases the risk,” he said.

He urged the public to respect BRT regulations, noting that proper use of the lanes is essential for safety, efficiency and the long-term success of the transport system. .

Dar es Salaam. Something quite extraordinary is unfolding across Tanzania’s major cities: the rapid proliferation of traditional medicine shops.

This trend is emerging at a time when the country has been making notable strides in modern healthcare. Over the past decade, Tanzania has expanded its capacity to offer specialised treatments, including cancer care, kidney transplants, heart surgery, neurosurgical procedures, bone marrow transplants and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) services among others.

These developments, which have seen Tanzania embarking on a strategy to promote itself as a medical tourism hub in the region, were expected to reduce dependence on alternative remedies, but the opposite appears to be happening. Traditional medicines are not only holding their ground; in some areas, they are flourishing at a pace that is difficult to ignore.

In the bustling commercial district of Kariakoo, one street that once accommodated dozens of general retail shops has transformed into a hub for traditional remedies. About forty outlets selling herbal products now line the same stretch.

Similar patterns are visible in other parts of Dar es Salaam, including Mbagala, Buguruni and Manzese, where traditional medicines, both locally produced and imported, are becoming increasingly common in households. Business operators in Kariakoo say renting a single stall can cost between Sh800,000 and more than Sh2 million per month.

The ability of herbal medicine vendors to survive, and even expand, under such costs suggests that the trade is not only popular but also lucrative. Much of the concentration of these shops in busy areas is driven by customer behaviour and the ease of access.

A proprietor of Herbal Care Supplies in Kariakoo, Abdallah Rashid, said location was central to their business strategy. “We are here because people come to Kariakoo from many parts of Dar es Salaam,” he told The Citizen.

“Customers look for traditional medicine in accessible places, and that is why we opened the shop here. Being close to the main roads and markets makes it easier for clients to find us, and it also increases our business visibility.

“In Buguruni, another seller, Faudhia Salum, highlighted the role of population density in shaping the trade. “Buguruni has many residents, and a large number rely on traditional remedies.

Opening a shop in a busy area makes it easier for customers to reach us,” she said. “Being registered helps build customer confidence, but not all shops are officially recognised.

Some competitors operate without any formal verification, and that is a risk for the public. “In Mbagala, the owner of Ndola Herbal Centre, Hamisi Ndola, said moving his business from Kivule to a busier street was a strategic decision.

“Customers prefer shops that are visible and easy to find. Being in a registered shop reassures them that the products meet required standards,” he said.

Another practitioner in the same area, Jongo Omary of Afya Asili Centre, attributed the growth in the number of outlets to affordability and convenience. “Many customers come to us because services are quicker and more affordable.

That demand encourages more shops to open in areas like Mbagala,” he said. In Manzese, proprietor of Uhai Herbal Solutions, Rehema Mkinga, said increased competition among regulated shops had also raised the stakes for sellers.

“There are many shops now, so customers can choose. If you do not guide clients properly, they will simply go elsewhere,” she said.

“Being here also gives us a chance to explain that traditional medicine must be used carefully and correctly. She added that operating in high-traffic areas allows practitioners to engage directly with customers and clear up misconceptions.

“Many people come with questions about what is safe and what works. This gives us a platform to educate them on proper usage,” she said.

However, health professionals warn that the growing number of outlets, particularly those operating without proper registration, poses risks to patients. A clinician at Temeke Regional Referral Hospital, Dr Agnes Kweka, said traditional medicine remains an important part of the country’s cultural heritage, but the lack of disclosure by patients can complicate treatment.

“We respect traditional medicine as part of our culture, but patients often do not inform clinicians about what they are using,” she said. “Some remedies, especially when combined with conventional medication, can interfere with hospital treatment or pose serious health risks.

Public education alongside regulation is crucial to minimise harm.” A pharmacist and clinical researcher in Dar es Salaam, Dr Clemence Mushi, said the public often assumes that all herbal medicine shops are registered and safe, which is not necessarily the case.

“Some remedies may contain harmful substances, incorrect dosages or contaminants,” he said. “Consumers must be cautious, and practitioners must adhere strictly to safety guidelines.

Otherwise, public trust is undermined, and patients risk serious complications. “A medical doctor at Mwalimu Nyerere Memorial Regional Referral Hospital in Mara Region, Dr Neema Mtatiro, echoed those concerns.

“The combination of herbal remedies and conventional drugs without supervision can be dangerous,” she said. “Awareness, professional guidance and responsible practice are essential to prevent such outcomes.

“The Ministry of Health says regulated traditional medicine is supported, but only within a framework that prioritises public safety.” , said the government registers traditional medicines only after they undergo scientific testing.

“The Ministry, through the Traditional and Alternative Health Practice Council, registers traditional medicines after they have undergone scientific testing for quality, safety and dosage before they are used by humans,” she told The Citizen. She said that the ministry conducts post-marketing surveillance targeting both registered and unregistered products.

“During the 2024/25 financial year, surveillance was conducted three times, and the findings were communicated to the public through official statements. Any medicine that fails to meet standards is removed from the registration register and the public is formally informed,” she said.

At the Institute of Traditional Medicine at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (Muhas), researchers emphasise that commercial growth must be matched by scientific verification. A researcher at the institute, Dr Benson Mugaka, said any medicine intended for human use must pass through a rigorous process.

“The process involves plant identification in botany, chemical analysis in chemistry, and safety and dosage testing in pharmacology,” he said. “No plant should enter the market without passing through all three departments.

That is the scientific chain that ensures quality and safety. “He warned that rapid commercial expansion without such procedures exposes users to serious risks.

“Unregulated products may contain fungal toxins, heavy metals or other contaminants, and some may cause liver or kidney damage,” he said. “There is a commercial incentive to cut corners, and that is where the danger lies.

“As the number of traditional medicine shops continues to rise, the debate over their role in public health is likely to intensify.” For some, they represent an affordable and accessible alternative to conventional treatment.

For others, they raise concerns about safety, regulation and the potential for exploitation in a booming but loosely supervised market. The question, therefore, remains: are these remedies medicines, poison or simply business? .

Antananarivo. At least 59 people died when Cyclone Gezani struck Madagascar last week, the disaster management office said on Monday, as it assesses the impact of the second tropical storm to hit the Indian Ocean island nation this year.

The cyclone displaced 16,428, while 15 people remain missing, 804 were injured and 423,986 were classified as affected by the disaster, the National Bureau for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) said. Gezani barrelled through the country just 10 days after Tropical Cyclone Fytia killed 14 people and displaced over 31,000, according to the United Nations’ humanitarian office.

At its peak, Gezani had sustained winds of about 185 km (115 miles) per hour, with gusts rising to nearly 270 km per hour – powerful enough to rip metal sheeting from rooftops and uproot large trees. People ride a canoe after Cyclone Gezani hit the port city of Toamasina, in Madagascar, February 12. The cyclone moved westward across the Mozambique Channel, bringing heavy winds and waves of up to 10 metres in the southern end of Mozambique, its weather service said in a statement.

The weather system has since curved back eastward over the channel, and forecasts show it looping toward Madagascar again, with a second landfall expected in southwestern Madagascar on Monday. Authorities have placed Ampanihy district in southwestern Madagascar on red alert, with Gezani forecast to pass about 100 km off its coast on Monday evening, bringing winds of around 65 km/h but no heavy rainfall, the weather service said.

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