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Do not fear reporting on graft, Kenya envoy tells journalists
2006-07-12 09:44:29
By Angel Navuri
The outgoing Kenyan High Commissioner to Tanzania, Muburi Muita has urged Tanzanian journalists not to fear reporting on issues of corruption as they happen in the country.
The envoy, whose next appointment is New York, made the remarks during his tour to The Guardian Ltd newsroom at Mikocheni in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
He said in Kenya,journalists have helped the government considerably to uncover corruption issues.
During his visit, Muita paid a courtesy call on the Managing Director of Guardian Ltd, Kiondo Mshana, who, among other things, briefed him on how the newsroom performs its activities as the leading media house in the country.
The envoy challenged African countries to emulate Tanzania’s example in changing top leadership peacefully.
The ambassador urged other African countries to copy Tanzania’s political tolerance, for peace and stability.
He said the culture of leadership change gives a country new leaders and ideas, and also reduces corruption and egoistic behaviour.
On the renewed East African Community (EAC), Muita said the plan to make EAC into a full federation by 2013 is still alive and efforts are on move to realize the objective.
”Member states in the bloc have adopted policies, objectives and programmes aiming at widening the deepening cooperation politically, economically and socially, ” he said.
He added that cordial relations cover many fields, including cultural, research and development, technology, defence and security, legal and judicial affairs all for the mutual benefit of the partner states.”
He stressed for continual dialogue with the private sector, the community and civil societies at the national levels for cementing the EAC and the realization of the federation.
Muita also identified some areas that need improvement. He mentioned theme as lack of entrepreneurial skills among East African people and the existence of contradicting investment codes, protecting property rights and other rights in the private sector.
He also said the partner states should work with the national chambers of commerce to explore possibilities of establishing special financial institutions aimed at promoting the private sector, especially the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
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