Category: The Citizen

Lilongwe. Young Africans (Yanga) head coach Romain Folz is facing mounting pressure after his side fell 10 to Silver Strikers in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie on Saturday, October 18, 2025. The defeat has intensified scrutiny from a section of Yanga supporters, many of whom remain unconvinced by the team’s performances this season despite their impressive squad depth and domestic dominance.

The Jangwani giants, who entered the competition with high expectations, have struggled to replicate their league form on the continental stage, a shortcoming that has now placed Folz firmly under the spotlight. Yanga’s inconsistency in front of goal has been a recurring issue, and Saturday’s narrow loss only added to growing concerns about their attacking efficiency.

Silver Strikers, maintained by their home supporters at the Bingu National Stadium, were disciplined defensively and took full advantage of one of their few clear chances. The decisive moment came midway through the second half when Andrew Joseph finished clinically after a swift counter-attack, handing the Malawian champions a valuable lead to protect in the return leg.

Joseph scored in the 76th minute. Despite the setback, Yanga showed glimpses of their quality, creating several scoring opportunities that went begging.

Pacome Zouzoua and Mohamed Doumbia came agonizingly close to finding the equalizer in stoppage time, both missing chances that could have changed the complexion of the tie. The team’s wastefulness in front of goal ultimately proved costly, leaving them with a difficult task back in Dar es Salaam.

Yanga will have an opportunity to turn the tie around when they host Silver Strikers in the return leg at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium next Saturday. The Tanzanian champions must score at least two unanswered goals to advance to the group stage of Africa’s premier club competition.

Playing on home soil, Folz’s men are expected to show greater urgency, attacking intent, and composure in the final third. The team will depend heavily on the creativity of Zouzoua, the midfield stability of Doumbia, and the finishing prowess of Prince Dube, who is yet to find his scoring rhythm this season.

With a packed home crowd expected to rally behind them, Yanga will be counting on their experience and resilience to overturn the first-leg deficit. Anything less than progression to the next round would be seen as a major disappointment for the Tanzanian giants and could further increase the pressure on Folz’s tenure.

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A US jury on Friday returned a historic verdict against BNP Paribas, finding the French bank helped Sudan’s government commit genocide by providing banking services that violated American sanctions. The federal jury in Manhattan ordered BNP Paribas to pay a combined $20.5 million (Sh2.6 billion) to three Sudanese plaintiffs who testified about human rights abuses perpetrated under former President Omar al-Bashir’s rule.

Lawyers for the three plaintiffs, who now reside in the US, said the verdict opens the door for over 20,000 refugees in the US to seek billions of dollars in damages from the French bank. “Our clients lost everything to a campaign of destruction fueled by US dollars, that BNP Paribas facilitated and that should have been stopped,” said Bobby DiCello, a lawyer for the plaintiffs.

A BNP Paribas spokesman said the verdict should be overturned on appeal, adding that the bank believes it is specific to the three individual plaintiffs and should not have broader application. “BNP Paribas believes that this result is clearly wrong and there are very strong grounds to appeal the verdict, which is based on a distortion of controlling Swiss law and ignores important evidence the bank was not permitted to introduce,” the spokesman said.

The verdict followed a five-week jury trial conducted by US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who last year denied a request by BNP Paribas to get the case thrown out ahead of trial. The trial focused on whether BNP Paribas’s financial services were a “natural and adequate cause” of the harm suffered by survivors of ethnic cleansing and mass violence.

Hellerstein wrote in his decision last year that there were facts showing a relationship between BNP Paribas’ banking services and abuses perpetrated by the Sudanese government. The ruling came in a proposed class action lawsuit brought by US residents who had fled non-Arab indigenous black African communities in South Sudan, Darfur, and the Nuba Mountains in central Sudan.

The US government recognised the Sudanese conflict as a genocide in 2004. BNP Paribas had in 2014 agreed to plead guilty and pay an $8.97 billion (Sh1.2 trillion) penalty to settle US charges it transferred billions of dollars for Sudanese, Iranian and Cuban entities subject to economic sanctions. .

Dar es Salaam. The disappearance and subsequent discovery of Father Camillus Nikata of the Archdiocese of Songea has sparked widespread discussion on social media, raising numerous questions.

Among the queries circulating online are how Father Nikata, a lecturer at St Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT) in Mwanza, travelled from Dodoma to Songea, moved from the priests’ residence to his family home, survived in the bush where he was found, and what precisely happened during the ordeal. How he disappeared The first report of Father Nikata’s disappearance came from Archbishop Damian Dallu of Songea, who said the priest could not be reached by phone.

According to Archbishop Dallu, Father Nikata had returned from Dodoma, where he attended spiritual formation for priests teaching in Catholic universities under the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), accompanied by another priest from Songea. “In Songea, he stayed at St Vianney priests’ residence.

He had planned to travel to Mwanza on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, via a Superfeo bus, with a ticket purchased online,” said Archbishop Dallu. “However, by Wednesday afternoon, it was clear he had not travelled.

His luggage remained in his locked room, and the key had not been returned to staff,” he added. Staff at the priests’ residence were surprised that the luggage had not been taken, and attempts to contact him or others at the residence were unsuccessful.

The report added that Father Nikata did not appear in Mwanza as scheduled. “The Superfeo office confirmed that although he had purchased a ticket, he did not board the bus.

After failing to trace him, we reported the matter to the police,” the statement said. Statement from the University Amid the uncertainty, SAUT released a statement acknowledging Archbishop Dallu’s report, which had circulated widely on social media since October 8.

“SAUT wishes to inform the public that Father Camillus Nikata is our lecturer in the Department of Public Communication. He had gone to Dodoma for spiritual formation under TEC.

All initial efforts to locate him were unsuccessful,” he said. “Following this, SAUT, through the Chaplaincy office, arranged special prayers seeking God’s protection and safety for him,” the statement released on October 13 said, emphasising that divine intervention was sought where human efforts failed.

Police report Nine days after Father Nikata went missing, Ruvuma Regional Police announced on October 17, 2025, that he had been found alive, raising further questions. Police Commander Marco Chilya told journalists that the priest had been reported missing on October 9, 2025, and that experienced detectives immediately began a thorough investigation using all available methods.

“Following this investigation, on October 17, 2025, Father Nikata was found alive in the fields of Mawa Village, Hanga Ward, his birthplace,” the statement said, adding that he was extremely weakened from hunger, having survived 10 days on peanuts and water. The police said he was found with a small bag partially eaten by termites, a travel document, a towel used as bedding, Sh13,500, a wristwatch, glasses, Paracetamol, a phone, and keys, including for his seminary room.

Commander Chilya explained that Father Nikata’s disappearance was linked to mental stress caused by overwhelming debts he could not repay, as well as emotional distress after his partner of nine years, whom he had been supporting financially, left him. Investigations revealed that between June and September, Father Nikata had spent Sh39.158 million from his CRDB bank account caring for her.

Health issues were also cited: he had long suffered from eye pressure and had undergone one eye surgery, but could not afford a second procedure due to financial obligations. “Father Nikata had decided to leave the priesthood due to health, relationship difficulties, and financial strain, but he was not given a chance to discuss these with his superiors,” said Commander Chilya.

Police urged professionals to share challenges with peers rather than keeping them private and called on institutional leaders to allow subordinates to voice difficulties before they escalate. Father Nikata’s condition reportedly improved after initial treatment, and he was taken to Ruvuma Regional Hospital for further care.

Despite clarifications, the report sparked wider debate on social media, prompting discussions on priestly life and discipline. Not the first incident On September 24, 2025, Iringa Regional Police reported the detention of Father Jordan Kibiki of Mafinga Catholic Diocese over false claims of abduction.

Police Commander Alan Bukumbi said investigations showed Father Kibiki was struggling with debts after losing money online. He had falsely claimed on WhatsApp that he had been kidnapped and was being transported to Mbeya, but was later found in Mbalizi, Mbeya.

The Mafinga Catholic Diocese explained that Father Kibiki had suffered mental stress after losing Sh3.5 million in online eBay transactions. On September 30, 2025, Bishop Vincent Mwagala said the priest had been depressed due to these circumstances.

“Vulnerability can affect anyone facing life challenges. The church is monitoring Father Kibiki’s health to ensure he recovers,” said Bishop Mwagala.

He added that after consulting the priest on September 26, 2025, he was sent to Tosamaganga Referral Hospital and diagnosed with depression. Bishop Mwagala said the financial loss had contributed significantly to the priest’s emotional distress.

“He felt cheated and demanded more money than previously agreed upon. Of the Sh3.5 million lost, Sh500,000 was entrusted to Parish Priest Father Isaac, Sh1.5 million to diocesan accountant Father Godwin Maliga, and Sh1.5 million was his own money.

Given these circumstances, no person in normal mental health would abandon a Sh25 million vehicle in the bush,” he said. The police, taking into account the priest’s condition, dropped charges and released him.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has been urged to harness its own resources and innovation to sustain progress in the health sector amid declining foreign support.

The call was made on Saturday, October 18, 2025, by the Global CHOICE Project Lead, Dr Zulfiqar A. Bhutta.

He was speaking during the workshop for stakeholders in the CHOICE Tanzania Project, an initiative of the Institute for Global Health and Development at Aga Khan University, Pakistan, aimed at strengthening mental health and well-being through a gender-sensitive approach. The initiative addresses the unique challenges women face in accessing mental health services, empowering them while raising awareness about the links between mental health, gender equity, and the social determinants of health.

It aligns with Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 5, fostering inclusive health systems that place mental health at the core of overall well-being. Held under the theme “Climate change and human health: Building resilience through evidence-based policy,” the event brought together government officials, researchers, development partners, academicians, and civil society representatives to explore integrated solutions to Tanzania’s health and climate challenges.

Dr Bhutta underscored the need for smarter investments through public-private partnerships, enhanced government funding, and evidence-based strategies to ensure resources are used efficiently and reach the most vulnerable groups. “Challenges such as climate change and environmental degradation will continue to impact health outcomes.

Tanzania should prioritise adaptation and resilience,” said Dr Bhutta. “We have learned that mitigation efforts may take time to yield results, but strengthening local systems and partnerships can help the country sustain progress in improving health and development indicators despite reduced external funding,” added the expert.

Representing the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, the docket’s Director of Legal Services, Mr Rahib Mashombo, said the government remains committed to scaling up domestic investment. He noted that implementing universal health coverage will address many of the country’s health challenges.

Aga Khan Health Service Tanzania Chief Executive Officer, Mr Sisawo Konteh, said climate change, mental health, and gender equity have a profound impact on both family and national well-being. “Through CHOICE, we are generating evidence, inspiring action, and building healthier, more resilient communities,” he said.

The CHOICE project has strengthened national capacity by training 13 healthcare providers in mental health first aid and integrating mental health into primary healthcare services. On gender equity, it has equipped 23 frontline workers with specialised skills to manage cases of gender-based violence and violence against children, supported by nationwide awareness campaigns.

Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Aga Khan Hospital and CHOICE Project Lead, Prof Muzdalifat Abeid, said the outcomes were guided by the CHOICE Tanzania think Tanks, a multi-sectoral platform ensuring that local evidence and community voices shape project direction and national policy. “By bringing together policymakers, scientists, and community advocates, we promote collaboration that responds directly to realities on the ground.

Today’s sessions continue that approach, co-creating practical recommendations to strengthen the resilience of the national health system,” she said. The symposium reaffirmed the Aga Khan Development Network’s (AKDN) longstanding commitment to environmental sustainability, advancing gender equality, and promoting evidence-based policy as a foundation for equitable development.

Aga Khan Health Service, Tanzania (AKHS), remains one of AKDN’s key agencies, dedicated to advancing innovative and inclusive health initiatives. .

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy came to the White House on Friday looking for weapons to keep fighting his country’s war with Russia, but met an American president who appears more intent on brokering a peace deal than upgrading Ukraine’s arsenal. While U.

S. President Donald Trump did not rule out providing the long-range Tomahawk missiles Zelenskiy seeks, Trump appeared cool to the prospect as he looked ahead to a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary in the coming weeks.

After speaking with Zelenskiy for more than two hours, Trump implored both Ukraine and Russia to “stop the war immediately,” even if it means Ukraine conceding territory. “You stop at the battle line, and both sides should go home, go to their families,” Trump told reporters on his way to his home in West Palm Beach, Florida.

“Stop the killing. And that should be it.

Stop right now at the battle line. I told that to President Zelenskiy.

I told it to President Putin.” Trump’s move to re-engage with Putin, a strategy that has frustrated Zelenskiy and some European allies in the past, cast a shadow on the U.

S. president’s otherwise cordial exchange with his Ukrainian counterpart as they spoke with reporters ahead of a private lunch.

The two leaders then went behind closed doors where they also discussed a call the previous day between the Russian president and Trump, who has portrayed himself as a mediator between the warring forces despite the fact that Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. “I think President Zelenskiy wants it done, and I think President Putin wants it done. Now all they have to do is get along a little bit,” Trump told reporters.

Zelenskiy, however, noted how difficult it has been to try to secure a ceasefire. “We want this.

Putin doesn’t want (it),” he said. The Ukrainian leader was frank, telling Trump that Ukraine has thousands of drones ready for an offensive against Russian targets, but needs American missiles.

Later, Trump reiterated that he wants the United States to hold onto its weaponry. “We want Tomahawks also.

We don’t want to be giving away things that we need to protect our country,” he said. After the meeting, which Zelenskiy described as productive, he told reporters he did not want to talk about long-range missiles, saying the U.

S. did not want escalation, and that he was “realistic” about his chance of getting them.

The Ukrainian president, who spoke by phone with European leaders after the meeting, said he was counting on Trump to pressure Putin “to stop this war.” When asked about Trump’s comments, Zelenskiy said: “President (Trump) is right, and we have to stop where we are.

This is important, to stop where we are, and then to speak.” It was unclear what Putin had told Trump that prompted him to agree to the upcoming meeting.

Their August summit in Alaska ended early with no major breakthrough. The Kremlin said much needed to be decided and that the summit might take place “a little later” than within the two-week period mentioned by Trump.

Trump’s conciliatory tone after the call with Putin raised questions over the near-term likelihood of assistance to Ukraine and reignited European fears of a deal that suits Russia. A spokesperson for the European Union said it welcomed the talks if they could help bring peace to Ukraine.

Trump was asked on Friday whether he was concerned Putin might be “playing” him for time by agreeing to talks. “You know, I’ve been played all my life by the best of them, and I came out really well, so it’s possible,” Trump replied.

Michael Carpenter, a former U.S.

official who is now a senior fellow at International Institute for Strategic Studies, said the meeting with Trump was not what Zelenskiy had been hoping for but was in line with the administration’s approach to the war. “The underlying reality is that there is no inclination to impose costs on Russia,” he said.

The president expressed affection for Zelenskiy, at one point praising him for wearing what Trump called a “very stylish” dark suit jacket after he was knocked earlier this year for visiting the White House without one. “He looks beautiful in his jacket,” Trump said.

“I hope people notice.” Trump, who has campaigned for the Nobel Peace Prize, is eager to add to the list of conflicts he says he has been instrumental in ending.

More than 3-1/2 years after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has made some territorial gains this year, but Ukraine’s top military commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Thursday that the Russian offensive had failed. Putin this month said his forces had taken almost 5,000 square kilometres (1,930 square miles) of land in Ukraine in 2025, equivalent to adding 1% of Ukraine’s territory to the nearly 20% already held.

Both sides have also escalated attacks on each other’s energy systems, and Russian drones and jets have strayed into NATO countries. The White House had seemed in recent days to be increasingly frustrated with Putin and leaning toward granting Zelenskiy fresh support, including the Tomahawk missiles that Ukrainians say would help them inflict more damage to Russia’s war machine.

After Friday’s talks, Zelenskiy said Russia was “afraid” of Tomahawks. Moscow has warned that supplying such missiles would mark a serious escalation.

Putin’s move appeared meant to make the U.S.

transfer of such weapons less likely, said Max Bergmann, a Russia expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Mykola Bielieskov, a senior analyst at Come Back Alive, a Ukrainian non-governmental organization that is a major procurer of military equipment for the Ukrainian armed forces, said Tomahawk missiles would level a playing field that is tipped toward Russia.

“We don’t expect Russia to crumble after one, two or three successful strikes,” Bielieskov said. “But it’s about pressure, constant pressure.

It’s about disrupting the military-industrial complex.” “We don’t have Tomahawks, that’s why we need Tomahawks,” he said.

Trump responded: “We’d much rather have them not need Tomahawks.” .

Abidjan. Alassane Ouattara’s long path to becoming Ivory Coast president included two elections in which he was disqualified from running and a brief but brutal 2010-11 civil war spurred by his predecessor’s refusal to leave office.

Things have been easier since he took the top job in 2011, with landslide re-election wins in 2015 and 2020. The 83-year-old former international banker hopes to replicate the feat for a third and potentially final time when West Africa’s biggest cocoa producer goes to the polls on October 25. Ouattara’s supporters say his success at the ballot box reflects voter satisfaction with strong economic growth since he took office and a flurry of infrastructure projects, from new roads and interchanges to a more than 300-metre tower that dwarfs everything else in the city centre skyline. His critics say it has just as much to do with restrictions on democratic activities, including what Amnesty International criticised on Thursday as a “disproportionate” ban on election-related protests.

The man who analysts say would be Ouattara’s biggest challenger, former Credit Suisse chief executive Tidjane Thiam, has been excluded after a court found he had French nationality when he registered, which is not permitted under Ivorian law. Ouattara’s predecessor Laurent Gbagbo is barred because of a prior conviction.

Those who are allowed to contest do not have the backing of the country’s major political parties, hindering their ability to mobilise on a large scale, analysts said. Instead, the four opposition candidates are heading up “makeshift coalitions” and are divided among themselves, said Cesar Flan Moquet, director of the Centre of Political Research of Abidjan, a think tank.

“All this means that these candidates do not really have a chance,” he said. Turbulent rise to the top Born in Dimbokro in central Ivory Coast on January 1, 1942, Ouattara received a doctorate in economics from the University of Pennsylvania, then rose to deputy director of the International Monetary Fund.

He later became prime minister under founding President Felix Houphouet-Boigny, whose death in 1993 ushered in a more toxic period in Ivorian politics. New electoral rules, including one requiring candidates to have lived in Ivory Coast for the previous five years, prevented Ouattara from running in the 1995 election.

He was excluded again in 2020 on the grounds that one of his parents was from Burkina Faso. Gbagbo, who won that election, called Ouattara “a candidate for the foreigners”.

A 2002 rebellion against Gbagbo split the country in two, leaving its northern half in the hands of rebels, many of them from Ouattara’s Dioula ethnic group. The war was largely a result of xenophobic policies by successive Ivorian governments against migrant farmers from Burkina Faso and Mali that also targeted northern Ivorians with cultural ties to them.

For the 2010 election, Ouattara formed a pact with former President Henri Konan Bedie which helped secure his victory in the runoff against Gbagbo. Fighting that erupted after Gbagbo rejected his defeat killed around 3,000 people before Ouattara was sworn in in April 2011. Ouattara coasted to re-election in 2015 and 2020, though the latter vote was marred by clashes between rival supporters that killed 85 people.

Uncertainty over who comes next Tensions do not appear to be running as high as in 2020, when critics were more agitated over Ouattara’s argument that a new constitution approved in 2016 had reset his two-term limit. The protest ban and the deployment of 44,000 security forces to prevent unrest will help stave off large-scale unrest, said West Africa political risk consultant Jessica Moody.

Ouattara is likely to spend a fourth term focused on economic targets, including making Ivory Coast a middle-income country by 2030, bringing a new Abidjan metro online and improving roads and electricity access. There is also the question of who comes after him, which he tried to answer before the 2020 election by naming then-Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly as his successor.

Coulibaly died several months later, and Ouattara went back on his promise to hand power to a new generation. Choosing a new successor will be a thorny process given divisions within the ruling party, but it is not impossible, Moody said.

“I don’t think he lacks the motivation to stand down,” she said. “He will be 88 by the next election.

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Dar es SalaamKibaha. It was an ordinary evening for four young friends sharing a house in Dar es Salaam.

Three were motorcycle taxi operators, popularly known as bodaboda, and the fourth drove a bajaji (three-wheeler). After a long day’s work, they were relaxing in one of the rooms, chatting as they waited for dinner.

Suddenly, their cheerful evening turned grim when a knock came at the door. As it opened, a masked man with a gun burst in, followed by two others, one carrying handcuffs.

The four friends were seized and taken away. The story ended tragically on October 16, 2025, when Coast Regional Police reported that the bodies of the four young men had been found along a roadside in the region.

Police said the discovery was made by the Kidimu Street Chairman, who reported seeing four unidentified bodies along the KidimuVingunguti section in Kibaha District, near the MapingaKibaha road. Forensic officers at the scene said the men, estimated to be aged between 19 and 22, had injuries on their faces and legs.

Their identities and residences were initially unknown. The bodies were taken to Tumbi Regional Referral Hospital for post-mortem examination.

As investigations continued, relatives later identified them. The deceased were named as Mikidadi Abbas Mikidadi (21) and Hassan Juma Jumanne (21), both bodaboda riders from Tabata Chang’ombe; Fadhili Patrick Hiyola (19), a bodaboda rider from Vingunguti Miembeni; and Abdalla Fadhil Nyanga (21), a bajaji driver from Kisukuru, Tabata.

Police said the bodies were released to families for burial after examinations, as investigations sought to establish where and how the killings occurred and who was responsible. Coast Regional Police appealed to anyone with information that could help solve the murders to come forward.

Speaking to The Citizen’s sister newspaper, Mwananchi, on October 16, 2025, relatives of Hassan and Abdalla, popularly known as Dulla, shared their accounts. Dulla was buried at 4 p.

m. on October 16, 2025, while Mikidadi and Fadhili were buried a day earlier.

Hassan’s body was to be laid to rest in Same, Kilimanjaro Region, on Saturday, October 18, 2025, after a farewell service at the Ilala Regional Referral Hospital, Amana. A mother’s account The late Hassan Jumanne’s mother, Ms Hadija Mmbaga, recalled receiving a call on the morning of October 14, 2025, from another bodaboda rider asking if she knew her son had been taken away.

“I said no, and that’s when I was told Hassan and three friends had been abducted the previous night,” she said. Ms Mmbaga contacted the other parents, and together they began searching police stations and hospitals in vain.

Later that evening, she received another call from a parent who said an unknown number had reported that four bodies had been found in Kibaha and taken to Tumbi Hospital. “The men went there and recognised them as our children.

They had visible injuries; it was clear they’d been beaten,” she said. Life together Ms Mmbaga said the four were close friends who shared a rented house.

Quoting Dulla’s wife, she said the abduction occurred around 1 a.m.

The four usually gathered in Dulla’s room to chat after work, as they operated in different areas. “According to Dulla’s wife, she was preparing food while one of them went to buy something.

Moments later, there was a knock. Thinking it was their friend, she opened the door and faced a masked man with a gun, who ordered her to keep quiet,” said Ms Mmbaga.

Two more masked men entered, one carrying handcuffs. The intruders tied the youths’ hands, blindfolded them with their clothes, and ordered the women present to cover themselves with bedsheets until they left.

“It all happened very fast. When the friend who had gone to buy food returned, he was told armed men had taken them away,” said Ms Mmbaga.

” “We reported the abduction to the police, but later we were only handed their bodies,” she said sorrowfully. Behind the scenes Ms Mmbaga said that on October 13, 2025, the day before the abduction, the youths had quarrelled with another young man in their neighbourhood.

The fight escalated, and the youth was injured. “We were told the injured boy’s parent later threatened our sons, saying they would ‘disappear’ and even their parents couldn’t save them.

The next day, they truly went missing, and later we found their bodies,” she said. When asked about the injury, the parent reportedly demanded Sh25,000 for treatment, which the families promptly paid.

Mr Said Mikidadi, brother of the late Mikidadi Abbas, said the dispute had involved Dulla and another youth from Kisukuru. “It was just a youthful fight.

But the injured boy’s parent came to Dulla’s house, threatening to make them disappear,” he said, adding that although the matter appeared settled, the four were abducted days later. “When they went missing, Dulla’s brother reminded us of the earlier threat.

The parents confronted the man, asking where the boys were, but he denied any involvement,” he said. “Even if he didn’t do it himself, his words showed a clear link.

Soon after, we were informed the bodies had been found,” he added. Family and friends speak Mr Mohamed Abdallah, uncle and spokesperson for Dulla’s family, said they first learned of the abduction from Dulla’s wife, who witnessed the ordeal.

“Our boy was not a troublemaker or a thief. We thought police had taken him, but after searching all stations with no results, we later received news of his death,” he said.

He added that the bodies showed signs of torture, rope marks around the neck, and cloth stuffed in their mouths. The four had lived like brothers, with Fadhili frequently visiting.

Dulla left behind a wife and a one-year, eight-month-old child. A fellow bodaboda rider, Abdul Twaha, said the killings had shocked the community.

“We’re now living in fear because we don’t know who might be next. These young men were just ordinary riders; we all knew them,” he said.

How the bodies were found Kidimu Neighbourhood Chairman, Dionis Charwa, said he received a call early on October 14, 2025, from a resident reporting the discovery of four bodies near a drainage ditch along the BagamoyoKibaha highway. Speaking on Friday, October 17, 2025, Mr Charwa said a large crowd had gathered at the scene.

Three bodies lay together, and one was slightly apart. “They were clothed, with no signs of struggle or blood, suggesting they were killed elsewhere and dumped here,” he said.

“It’s clear these young men were murdered elsewhere. The incident has deeply unsettled Kidimu residents,” he added.

He said the killings had revived memories of similar incidents reported years ago in the same area. Resident James Mgaya said he discovered the bodies while heading to work at dawn.

“I was shocked and terrified when I saw them by the roadside. Years ago, similar cases happened here before things quietened down,” he added.

He added that the area once had houses demolished by the government for being within the road reserve, leaving it deserted. Another resident, Ms Christina Mwaluko, urged the government to develop abandoned land near residential areas to deter crime.

“The government should put such areas to productive use to eliminate hiding spots for criminals,” she said. .

The friendship between Raila Odinga and John Pombe Magufuli, the former Tanzanian president, was more than political–it was rooted in shared ideals and forged during their time as ministers for Works in their respective countries. Their collaboration began in 2003 at an international infrastructure conference in Durban, South Africa.

“I wanted to share my experiences, learn from fellow ministers and other experts,” Odinga recalled. “From there, our friendship kicked off.

We became advisers to each other.” Between 2003 and 2005, the two leaders worked closely to fast-track transport services between Kenya and Tanzania.

They exchanged visits and launched joint projects aimed at modernising roads, bridges and railways. Their efforts focused not only on physical infrastructure but also on rooting out corruption in road contracts.

Odinga would later note: “Together with Magufuli we fought corruption and championed quality infrastructure in both Kenya and Tanzania, where contractors were demanding pay and getting paid for works they had not done, or those done way below specifications.” Magufuli invited Kenyan engineers to Dar es Salaam to exchange ideas with their Tanzanian counterparts.

This marked the beginning of a cross-border collaboration that would span years and transcend political office. After Magufuli became president in October 2015, their friendship deepened.

Odinga advised him on governance and anti-corruption strategies. Their families also grew close.

In April 2016, Odinga, accompanied by his wife Ida and daughter, visited Magufuli’s home village in Chato, Geita region, for Easter holiday. They attended Sunday mass together at a local Catholic church, just five months after Magufuli assumed the presidency.

Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga (left) being received by the late Tanzanian President John Magufuli and his wife Janeth at their Milimani home in Geita region, Tanzania. Magufuli later visited Kenya in November 2016, joining President Uhuru Kenyatta to inaugurate the Southern By-pass in Nairobi.

Odinga returned the gesture in March 2019, visiting Tanzania to inspect the standard gauge railway construction between Dar es Salaam and Morogoro. When Magufuli died on March 17, 2021, Odinga was devastated.

“It was the worst time to lose a friend and a comrade,” Odinga said. “We as Kenyans will use this railway to maintain our relationship with Tanzania in transport, economic and industrial development.

We want to do business with our neighbours Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda through our regional rails and roads,” Odinga said during the visit. “When rumours started going around about the health and whereabouts of my friend President John Pombe Magufuli, I placed several calls to him.

Later, I sent him a text message. Both went unanswered.

I then resigned to expect the worst while hoping I was wrong.” Even after Magufuli’s death, the bond between their families endured.

In February 2025, Magufuli’s daughter Jessica visited Odinga in Kenya to express support for his candidacy for the African Union Commission chairmanship. .

Dar es Salaam. As Tanzania continues to embrace the digital economy, the rollout of mobile network coverage has reached nearly 100 percent, driven by substantial and ongoing government investment in telecommunications infrastructure, according to a report by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA).

Communication statistics released by TCRA on October 18, 2025, show that from July to September this year, network improvements have coincided with a rise in internet subscriptions, which climbed to 56.3 million from 54.1 million recorded in June. The data indicate that network availability now stands at 98.6 percent for 2G, 93.8 percent for 3G, 94.2 percent for 4G, and 28.9 percent for 5G.

In terms of geographical coverage, there has also been notable progress: 5G coverage rose to 8.6 percent, 4G to 76.9 percent, 3G to 75.9 percent, and 2G to 78.2 percent.

Regarding mobile internet market share by subscription, Vodacom leads, followed by Yas, Airtel, Halotel, and TTCL. Smartphone penetration increased to 39.53 percent, up from 36.75 percent in June 2025, while feature phone penetration grew to 86.53 percent from 84.97 percent in the same period.

“The communications sector continued to record significant growth during the quarter ending September 2025, underscoring its vital role in advancing Tanzania’s digital transformation and socio-economic development,” said in a report, the TCRA Director General, Dr Jabir Bakari. He noted that the sector remains resilient and adaptive, reflecting increased investment, innovation, and consumer uptake across telecommunications, broadcasting, and postal and courier services.

In telecommunications and internet services, there was sustained growth in subscriptions, mobile money usage, and data consumption, driven by expanding broadband infrastructure and greater adoption of smart devices. Mobile money platforms continued to foster financial inclusion, while improved service quality demonstrated operators’ ongoing efforts to meet regulatory standards and customer expectations.

Broadcasting services also experienced growth in both active subscriptions and content distribution, supported by broader digital coverage and rising consumer demand for satellite and online broadcasting. Notably, active decoder subscriptions increased by 14 percent, reaching 2.

3 million by September 2025. Dr Bakari emphasised that this growth highlights the sector’s contribution to information dissemination, cultural promotion, and national cohesion. Meanwhile, postal and courier services continued to evolve in response to digitalisation and the growth of e-commerce.

“Overall, the quarter’s performance reaffirms the strong momentum towards a more connected, inclusive, and digitally empowered Tanzania. TCRA remains committed to fostering an enabling environment that supports infrastructure investment, innovation, and sustainable growth of the communications ecosystem in line with national development priorities and the vision of a digital economy,” the report concluded.

Commenting on the findings, a student at the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT), Mr Emmanuel Mushi, said the expansion of internet access was a positive development, helping students improve their learning efficiency through faster connection speeds. He added that with the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications, internet speeds must continue to improve to support quicker and more efficient task execution.

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Dar es Salaam. The 24th edition of the Kilimanjaro Premium Lager International Marathon was officially launched in Dar es Salaam on Friday, setting the stage for one of Tanzania’s most anticipated sporting and tourism events.

The colourful launch ceremony, held at the Johari Rotana Hotel, marked the official start of preparations for the 2026 marathon, which will take place on March 22, 2026, in Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region. Speaking during the launch, Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila, represented by Ilala District Commissioner, praised the marathon for its consistency and contribution to sports tourism over the years.

“The Kilimanjaro Marathon has become a model event that others should emulate. It has maintained excellence for 24 years while working closely with the government,” he said.

He noted that the event has nurtured Tanzania’s athletic talent, citing Alphonce Simbu, the Tokyo World Athletics Championships winner, as one of the athletes who rose to prominence after competing in the Kilimanjaro Marathon. “It’s through this marathon that athletes like Simbu gained experience competing against international runners.

His success should inspire more young Tanzanians to take part,” he added. Chalamila described the marathon as the country’s biggest sporting event and a major tourism draw, attracting over 13,200 runners and a similar number of spectators from more than 60 countries.

“This is not just a race–it’s an international event that brings together thousands of potential tourists. It also boosts the local economy, as businesses in Moshi and nearby towns thrive during the marathon period,” he said.

The RC commended the event’s sponsors for their continued support.The main sponsor is Kilimanjaro Premium Lager (42km Full Marathon), while YAS sponsors the 21km Half Marathon and CRDB Bank the 5km Fun Run.

Supporting sponsors include Kilimanjaro Water and TPC Sugar, with partners such as GardaWorld Security, Toyota Tanzania, Columbia Sportswear, Simba Cement, and ALAF Limited. Official suppliers include Salinero Hotel, Kibo Palace Hotel Arusha, and Keys Hotel Moshi.

He encouraged both runners and spectators to use the marathon season as an opportunity to explore Tanzania’s world-renowned attractions, including Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Zanzibar. On her part, Tanzania Breweries Limited (TBL) Marketing Director Khensani Mkhombo expressed pride in sponsoring the marathon through Kilimanjaro Premium Lager for 24 consecutive years–making it one of the country’s longest-running sponsorships.

“We are proud to have supported this event for nearly a quarter of a century. It promotes Tanzanian tourism, culture, and unity,” she said.

Mkhombo announced that registration opens on October 20, and participants can register via the official website www.kilimanjaromarathon.

com or through Mixx by YAS. She encouraged early registration to avoid disappointment, as entries are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

She also promised runners and visitors a vibrant weekend filled with entertainment and cultural experiences around Moshi during the marathon period. Meanwhile, YAS Corporate Communications Manager Christina Murimi reaffirmed her company’s commitment to supporting the event for the 11th consecutive year.

“YAS is proud to return as the official sponsor of the Kilimanjaro Half Marathon. This partnership reflects our commitment to empowering communities, developing talent, and promoting health and tourism, all powered by our 4G and 5G technology,” Murimi said.

The marathon, organized by the Kilimanjaro Marathon Company Limited, will be hosted at the Moshi Cooperative University (MoCU). Wild Frontiers Events will handle inbound travel and international marketing for the race.

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