Category: The Citizen

I saw this video online of a mom casually saying she goes to work to relax, and I almost fell out of my chair laughing and crying at the same time. Because if you’ve ever juggled work, motherhood, and life, you get it.

That tiny, sacred slice of silence at work? Pure magic. I’m guilty too.

There are days I finish work early and don’t rush home. I linger.

I sip my coffee like it’s the elixir of life. I scroll my phone while pretending I’m not just staring into the void.

Not because I don’t love my family , God knows I do but because I need a few minutes of being just me, before I transform into the human Swiss army knife at home. And don’t get me wrong I love being a mom.

One of my love languages is acts of service, so running around, making sure everything is fine, and doing those little things that make life smoother for everyone? Yes, please. But sometimes, even the most devoted mom needs a tiny timeout, or she’ll start handing out side-eyes instead of hugs.

Motherhood is not just about raising children It’s about being a full-time manager of life. You remember appointments, meals, moods, school assignments, finances, family politics, emotional check-ins and still somehow show up at work like you’re not secretly running a five-star chaos hotel at home.

The invisible labour is real. Mental notes that never end, emotional availability that doesn’t clock out, guilt that comes with taking a shower alone.

Honestly, can we get medals yet? And then comes the guilt. Oh, the guilt.

Guilt for wanting quiet. Guilt for enjoying work.

Guilt for finding the office printer more peaceful than the living room at 5 PM. Society loves strong women just as long as we look like we’re breezing through life while secretly juggling three screaming toddlers, a partner who “forgets” things, a boss who emails at midnight, and a WhatsApp group that never sleeps.

Work, strangely enough, offers structure. There’s a start, there’s an end.

You complete a task, you close your laptop, and nobody asks why your socks don’t match. Silence exists.

Boundaries exist. At home? Ha! The work sneaks up behind you like a ninja in pyjamas.

So yes, sometimes sanity looks like lingering in your car after work. Or finishing your coffee while it’s still hot.

Or staring at your phone like it’s a lifeline while the house waits for you to return like a Netflix show without a skip intro button. These little pockets of “me time” are not selfish.

They are survival. Motherhood and the hustle do not come with a pause button.

Balance is a myth. Survival is real.

And letting yourself breathe doesn’t make you a bad mom; it makes you human. So here’s a little secret the next time you see a mom sitting at her desk, sipping coffee, scrolling aimlessly, or humming to herself don’t judge.

She’s not slacking. She’s recharging.

Because loving your family doesn’t mean you shouldn’t love yourself too. And sometimes, the best thing you can do for your children is to be a mom who hasn’t lost her mind yet.

Stay sane, sisters. Stay sassy.

And pass the coffee. .

Geneva. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has called on the Trump administration to ensure that its migration policies uphold individual rights and adhere to international law, warning against arbitrary arrests and detentions.

In a statement, Turk highlighted that individuals are being monitored and detained, sometimes violently, in places ranging from hospitals, churches, mosques, courthouses, and markets to schools and even their own homes, often solely on suspicion of being undocumented migrants. He raised concerns over US immigration enforcement operations, noting that some measures appear disproportionate and should only be used when an individual poses an immediate threat to life.

The deployment of around 3,000 heavily armed federal officers in Minneapolis, aimed at targeting criminal immigration violators, has at times also affected law-abiding citizens and immigrants. The city remains tense following the shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old US citizen and mother of three, by an immigration officer on 7 January.

Vice President JD Vance defended the federal operation, attributing the unrest to “far-left agitators” and uncooperative local officials. Turk also urged that all individuals in custody be granted timely access to legal advice and called for an independent investigation into deaths in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, citing 30 fatalities in 2025 and six so far this year.

He further condemned the routine portrayal of migrants and refugees as criminals or societal burdens, which he warned fuels xenophobic hostility and abuse. .

London. The United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), ending its membership after months of warnings from global health experts that the move could weaken public health systems in the U.

S. and worldwide.

U.S.

President Donald Trump issued notice of withdrawal on the first day of his presidency in 2025 through an executive order, citing what his administration described as failures by the UN health agency in its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. In a statement issued by the U.

S. Departments of Health and State, Washington said it would only engage with the WHO in a limited manner as the withdrawal takes effect and has no intention of rejoining or participating even as an observer.

Instead, the U.S.

said it plans to work directly with individual countries on disease surveillance and public health cooperation, rather than through multilateral institutions. Dispute over unpaid fees Under U.

S. law, Washington is required to give a one-year notice and settle outstanding membership contributions, estimated at about, $260 million, before exiting.

However, U.S.

officials dispute that payment is a legal condition for withdrawal. The Department of Health and Human Services said it has already ended all funding contributions to the WHO, arguing that the agency had cost the U.

S. trillions of dollars through ineffective pandemic management.

Witnesses in Geneva reported that the U.S.

flag had been removed from outside WHO headquarters on Thursday. The U.

S. has also signalled plans to exit several other United Nations agencies, raising concerns among analysts that the move could weaken multilateral cooperation.

WHO officials say the U.S.

has not yet paid its outstanding contributions for 2024 and 2025. Member states are expected to discuss the implications of the U.S.

exit at the WHO executive board meeting in February. Legal experts have questioned the legality of the withdrawal without settling outstanding dues.

Financial impact on WHO The U.S.

has traditionally been the WHO’s largest financial contributor, providing about 18 percent of the agency’s total funding. Its departure has already triggered a financial crisis within the organisation, forcing the WHO to cut its senior management team by half, scale back programmes and reduce budgets.

The agency is also expected to lay off about a quarter of its staff by mid-year. Global health leaders warn that reduced funding could affect disease surveillance, vaccination programmes, emergency response capacity and technical support to developing countries, including those in Africa.

Bill Gates, chair of the Gates Foundation and a major funder of global health programmes, said he does not expect the U.S.

to reverse its decision in the near future, but stressed that the world still needs a strong WHO. Public health experts caution that the U.

S. exit could weaken global coordination in detecting and responding to future disease outbreaks, potentially increasing risks for all countries.

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We’ve before us a January 10 copy of Bongo’s senior-most broadsheet, whose Page 2 is carrying a story entitled, ‘Kairuki issues ultimatum on personal data registration.’ Reporting on an order by Minister for Communication and Information Technology Angellah Kairuki, our scribbling colleague writes: “In a STRONG directive, Kairuki instructed the Personal Data Protection Commission to begin preparations immediately for compliance audits across the country.

” A strong directive? How do we measure the strength of a directive? At the expense of being accused of fussiness, we aver to say that using the adjective “strong” to define a directive is least appropriate–rather incredulous! When a minister issues an order, we don’t need to excessively qualify it. Calling it, simply, a directive, would be good enough! However, if you consider it necessary to add weight to the Honourable Minister’s order, we’d suggest his sentence to read thus: “In a STRONGLY WORDED directive, Kairuki instructed the Personal Data Protection Commission to” Page 5 of the broadsheet is filled with an assortment of pictures, one of which has a caption written thus: Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation James Millya receives A QUR’AN from the Amir and Chief Missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Tanzania, Sheikh Khawaja Muzaffar Ahmad, in Dar es Salaam recently” A Qur’an? Oh, no! Why, because there’s only one Qur’an–THE QUR’AN–which is the book comprising messages from Allah Himself as revealed to His Prophet, Muhammad (peace be unto him–PHUH).

Which is to say, what the Amir presented to Minister Millya is A COPY of the Qur’an. Yes, just like one could be gifted with, not a Bible, but A COPY of the Bible.

And now, a look at Bongo’s huge and colourful broadsheet of Friday, January 16, whose Page 2 has a story whose headline reads, ‘Kilimanjaro due to welcome some 30,000 Form One students this year.’ In Para 2, the scribbler writes: “The Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner, Nurdin Babu, said he conducted inspections across the region from January 5 to 10, 2026 to personally verify” January 5 to 10, 2026? Telling the dates 5 to 10 are those of 2026 suggests that the scribbler doesn’t want his readers to imagine he’s talking of an inspection that took place in January 2025! It’s sheer waste of print paper space–or, an underestimation of our readers’ intelligence! In Para 5, the scribbler reports further on what RC Babu said in regard to this year’s Form One in Kilimanjaro schools: “He also directed ward education coordinators to hold preparatory meetings for school openings and to plan the RECEPTION of new students.

” Reception of new students? Well, wellwe aver our colleague set out to say: “ADMISSION of new students.” In the last para-but three, the scribbler writes: “In Moshi municipality, parents were OBSERVED accompanying children to school with FULL school SUPPLIES, signaling strong community engagement” Duh! Let’s not fuss and simply provide a rewrite: “In Moshi municipality, parents were SEEN accompanying children to school with ALL THEIR school REQUIREMENTS” Finally, a gem from the huge Nairobi tabloid that commands a sizeable readership in Bongo.

Deep inside its LifeStyle pullout, there’s a story entitled, ‘We took what the thieves left behind and changed our lives.’ In the first paragraph of the last column of the interesting human-interest story, the scribbler reports: “As time went by, a homeless person noticed there were people living within the church compound and decided to BORROW food.

” Borrow food? A-a! Things you borrow are only those belonging to someone else which you take and use with the intention of returning them. Food can’t be one of such things.

We BEG FOR food when we’re starving and have no money to buy the same. You borrow someone’s car when yours has broken down.

Ah, this treacherous language called English! Send your photos and linguistic gems to email [email protected] or WhatsApp on Tel No 0688315580 .

London/Washington. The United States’ recent control over Venezuela’s oil exports has complicated the country’s debt payments to China, raising the prospect of a major showdown between the two global powers and further challenging Venezuela’s path out of default.

About a tenth of Venezuela’s $150 billion foreign debt is owed to China, which had been repaid partly through oil shipments. That arrangement has been disrupted after U.

S. authorities took control of the country’s oil revenue earlier this month.

Debt experts warn that any dispute between Washington and Beijing over the payments could make it harder for Venezuela to restructure its debt following its 2017 default, and may affect China’s willingness to cooperate in other debt restructuring deals in developing countries. “Even under the best circumstances, disentangling creditors in Venezuela has always been messy,” said Christopher Hodge, chief economist at Natixis and former U.

S. Treasury official.

“Now with the U.S.

controlling the finances flowing into and out of the country, the situation is unprecedented.” Currently, the U.

S. only controls proceeds from oil sales, but those revenues remain Venezuela’s main source of income.

State-run oil company PDVSA documents show that, over the past five years, oil shipments to China helped service interest payments under a temporary 2019 agreement. The Trump administration has redirected these proceeds to a Qatar-based account controlled by Washington, giving the U.

S. potential leverage over which creditors are paid and when.

The U.S.

says China can still buy Venezuelan oil, but not at the discounted rates Caracas previously offered. China has condemned the redirection of Venezuela’s oil, insisting that the “legitimate rights and interests” of China and other countries in Venezuela be respected.

A White House spokeswoman said the deal would benefit both the American and Venezuelan people. Debt specialists warn that U.

S. control over oil revenues could disrupt the normal hierarchy of creditors, complicating any debt restructuring.

Venezuela needs an agreement with creditors to resume borrowing and attract investment after its bonds defaulted in 2017. “If the U.S.

pushes China to accept major write-downs and Beijing resists, restructuring could be delayed and Venezuela’s economic recovery further jeopardized,” said Jean-Charles Sambor, head of emerging market debt at TT International. China, the world’s largest bilateral lender to developing nations, could respond by withholding cooperation in future international debt restructuring programs until it feels fairly treated in Venezuela.

Experts say such a move would have significant global implications. .

Dar es Salaam. The High Court for Economic Crimes and Corruption Offences Division has sentenced a Nigerian national, Mr David Kanayo Chukwu, to 28 years’ imprisonment after he admitted to participating in the trafficking of 268.50 kilogrammes of heroin.

Mr Chukwu, 28, was the first accused among three suspects in the case. The verdict was delivered on January 22, 2026, by Magistrate Otaru Joachimu.

In passing sentence, the court took into account the five years and nine months the convict had already spent in remand since his arrest in 2020. Consequently, he will serve the remaining 22 years and three months to complete his sentence. Meanwhile, the court acquitted the third accused, Mr Alistair Amon Mbele, after the prosecution failed to prove its case against him.

The ruling was made in Case Number DCEA/IR/06/2020 ECO 36/2020, involving Mr David Kanayo Chukwu (Nigerian), Mr Isso Lomward Lupembe (Tanzanian) and Mr Alistair Amon Mbele (Tanzanian). The second accused, Mr Lupembe, is still facing trial after denying the charges against him.

His case remains pending before the same court. The court further directed that asset forfeiture proceedings related to the suspects’ properties be concluded within one year from the date of the judgement.

According to the prosecution, the three suspects were arrested in 2020 by officers from the Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) in the Mbezi “Kibanda cha Mkaa” area. They were accused of trafficking 268.50 kilogrammes of heroin.

The case has been adjourned to February 23, 2026, for further hearing. .

Moshi. The government has urged the College of Business Education (CBE) to prioritise the development of innovative and highly skilled professionals for Tanzania’s tourism sector through its planned new campus in Moshi District, Kilimanjaro Region.

The call was made on January 21, 2026, by Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade, Mr Dennis Londo, during an inspection visit to the site designated for the CBE Moshi Campus, which is expected to serve the northern zone. “We want CBE in this region to become a centre for producing experts who add value to the tourism sector, not only as employees but also as entrepreneurs and innovators in tourism-related ventures,” Mr Londo said.

He noted that the campus is expected to address both professional and structural challenges facing the tourism industry by equipping students with practical, market-oriented skills. “Students will be trained in tourism business management, entrepreneurship, tourism marketing, hospitality management and service excellence,” he said.

Mr Londo added that the initiative will enhance tourism’s contribution to the national economy, noting that the sector remains one of Tanzania’s leading sources of revenue and employment. CBE Principal, Professor Edda Tandi Lwoga, said the Moshi campus will be the institution’s fifth nationwide and will significantly expand enrolment capacity.

“The college currently has 24,657 students, and once completed, the Moshi campus is expected to enrol more than 2,000 additional students,” she said. On implementation, Professor Lwoga said the design phase for three core buildings is already underway and is scheduled for completion by March 2026 at a cost of Sh174 million.

“The first phase of construction will comprise classrooms with capacity for 2,000 students, a three-star training hotel with 52 guest rooms, and student hostels,” she said. She added that the campus will operate as a Centre of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality, providing specialised training aligned with business and investment opportunities in the northern tourism circuit.

The project, funded by the World Bank through the Higher Education Transformation Project, is valued at Sh17.4 billion. Construction is expected to commence later in 2026 following the completion of financial and procedural requirements, including the tendering process.

Hai District Commissioner, Mr Hassan Bomboko, welcomed the decision to establish the campus in the district and called for the project to be expedited. “Local communities will benefit from the construction phase through food supply and service businesses, and even more once the campus becomes operational,” he said.

He urged authorities to fast-track implementation so that residents who contributed land for the project can begin to realise tangible benefits. .

Dar es Salaam. Actor and Halotel Brand Ambassador Idriss Sultan has urged young people to use social media responsibly and productively, describing digital platforms as a vital avenue for economic empowerment and online business growth.

Speaking to journalists, Idriss said the internet has moved far beyond entertainment and now functions as a global marketplace that offers direct access to customers without the need for a physical shop. He emphasised that young people who apply creativity and use technology strategically can generate sustainable income through digital platforms.

He added that the internet should be regarded as an essential tool for wealth creation, particularly at a time when digital skills increasingly determine economic opportunities. His remarks come amid rapid digital expansion in Tanzania.

According to the latest Communications Statistics Report by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), internet subscriptions reached 56.3 million by September 2025, raising national internet penetration to 82.6 per cent. The growth has been driven by expanded mobile broadband coverage, more affordable data packages and increased smartphone use.

TCRA data further shows that total mobile subscriptions for voice and data services exceeded 99 million, highlighting the central role of connectivity in everyday life. Social media usage continues to rise sharply.

Between late 2024 and early 2025, TikTok ranked as the third-highest platform by data consumption, with users in Tanzania recording 33.57 million gigabytes in a single quarter. This reflects the platform’s shift from entertainment to a space for business, information sharing and content discovery.

Globally, platforms including TikTok, Instagram and Facebook remain among the most widely used applications, while WhatsApp continues to dominate daily communication across Africa. In Tanzania, TikTok’s growing influence was reinforced in December 2025 when local creators received recognition at the TikTok Sub-Saharan Africa Awards for content that showcased Tanzanian culture to international audiences.

Halotel Head of Communications, Ms Roxana Kadio, said the company acknowledges the rising demand for fast and reliable internet services. She noted that Halotel remains committed to delivering high-quality connectivity aligned with global technological standards, as part of its long-term strategy to strengthen communication and support Tanzania’s digital development.

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Dar es Salaam. Two men have appeared before the Temeke District Court charged with trafficking 20.03 kilogrammes of narcotic drugs allegedly concealed in a passenger bus operated by King Masai Tours.

The accused, Amasha Iddi Mrisho (40), a resident of Buza, and Seleman Juma Ally (32), a Mozambican national, were arraigned on January 22, 2026, to answer charges relating to the transportation of skunk, a form of cannabis. Reading the preliminary charge before the court, State Attorney Nicas Kihembe told the Resident Magistrate that the suspects were arrested on December 8, 2025, at the Wailes area in Temeke, following an operation conducted by officers from the Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) targeting drug trafficking activities.

According to the prosecution, officers seized 20 packets of skunk weighing a total of 20.03 kilogrammes. The drugs were allegedly concealed inside a bale of second-hand clothes and hidden in a Scania passenger bus belonging to King Masai Tours.

The bus, bearing Mozambican registration number AAM 297 CA, was reportedly being used to transport the illicit drugs. The court was further informed that the accused are charged under Section 16(1) of the Drug Control and Enforcement Act, which prohibits the possession, transportation and trade of narcotic drugs in Tanzania.

The prosecution stated that the offence is not bailable due to the large quantity of drugs involved. State Attorney Kihembe added that investigations in Case Number 1535 of 2026 are ongoing and that witnesses will be presented on a date to be set by the court.

The case was adjourned to February 5, 2026, and both accused were remanded in custody. .

Dar es Salaam. A total of 16 golf coaches in Tanzania have completed specialised training aimed at equipping them with the skills and knowledge required to coach young and emerging players across the country.

The training, conducted under the Community Golf Instructor (CGI) programme, was delivered by international instructors from RandA in collaboration with the Tanzania Golf Union (TGU) and The Peninsula Club. The initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the development of golf in Tanzania, particularly at grassroots, community, and youth levels.

The CGI programme is designed to build capacity among local instructors, coaches, and golf development officers, enabling them to introduce and grow the game in a structured, safe, and professional manner. By focusing on community-based coaching, the programme seeks to widen access to golf and create sustainable pathways for young players to develop their talents from an early age.

Speaking during the training, TGU Operations Manager Johnson John said the programme was being hosted at The Peninsula Club, a venue that has consistently proven to be a key strategic partner in the Union’s golf development initiatives. He noted that the club has played a significant role in supporting TGU’s vision of expanding and professionalising golf in Tanzania.

John explained that through this collaboration, TGU and its partners are enhancing the technical and instructional capacity of Tanzanian coaches by aligning their training with internationally recognised standards set by RandA. “This partnership between TGU, The Peninsula Club and the RandA reflects our shared commitment to developing golf in a sustainable, inclusive and long-term manner,” John said.

“The CGI programme is a vital tool in ensuring that golf is taught with professionalism, safety and a clear focus on nurturing the next generation of players.” He added that investing in coach education is a cornerstone of long-term sports development, as well-trained instructors are essential in identifying talent, maintaining high coaching standards, and promoting the core values of the game.

On his part, international instructor Pete Forster expressed his satisfaction with the progress Tanzania has made in golf development and voiced strong confidence that the CGI training would help expand the reach of the sport nationwide. “Tanzania has a lot of golf talent,” Forster said.

“These talents need to be properly developed to achieve the highest possible level and to compete internationally. Through this training, many young players will benefit from the knowledge and skills of these 16 trained coaches.

I am truly encouraged by what I have seen.” Forster was joined by fellow international instructors Alex Macgregor and Vincent Wang’ombe, who also played key roles in delivering both theoretical and practical components of the training.

The sessions covered modern coaching techniques, safety principles, junior golf development, and effective ways of introducing golf to beginners in community settings. One of the participants, Angel Eaton–Tanzania’s only professional female golfer–said the training had significantly enhanced her coaching knowledge and approach.

She explained that the programme exposed participants to modern and effective coaching methods that are essential for the growth of the game. “Like other sports, golf continues to evolve and now relies on modern coaching approaches,” Eaton said.

“We are grateful to TGU, RandA and the Peninsula Club for making this training possible, as it will help us contribute more effectively to the development of golf in Tanzania.” Fellow professional golfer Salum Dilunga said the CGI programme would enable coaches to reach more communities and uncover additional talent across the country.

He noted that the training had equipped them with the tools needed to introduce golf to new audiences, particularly young people who may not have previously had access to the sport. Another participant, Geofrey Leverian, used the opportunity to call on parents to allow and encourage their children to take up golf.

He stressed that the game offers not only sporting opportunities but also life skills such as discipline, integrity and respect. The programme concluded with practical demonstrations led by The RandA instructor Alex Macgregor, who guided local professional and licensed coaches through hands-on coaching exercises.

Stakeholders believe the CGI training will have a lasting impact by creating a strong network of qualified community instructors capable of driving sustainable golf development across Tanzania. .