On 14^th October 2007 Tanzania marked the eighth commemoration of the late Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere, first President of Tanganyika and Tanzania. The demise of the Father of the Nation on 14^th October 1999 left behind an orphaned country.

Nyerere’s legacies seem to be forgotten by Tanzania’s leaders in spite of the fact that they refer to him as their role model. Tanzanian politicians are using Nyerere’s name to gain popularity.

Nyerere denounced corruption and fought against corrupt leaders. The current regime is however not keen on the war on corruption. Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) the oldest political party in Tanzania that Nyerere used to lead the war on corruption is allegedly harboring a big number of leaders who went in power through corruption.

President Kikwete’s government is facing a number of allegations of corruption. Already, opposition leaders have released a list of shame which shows names of corrupt leaders. Although President Kikwete has been asked to carry out investigations, he is reluctant. As a result, political analysts in the country say that the war on corruption in Tanzania will always be mere talk and the fruits-a distant dream. A leader who came into power through the back door cannot spearhead the war on corruption. 

Corruption is one of the three enemies of development in Tanzania besides disease and ignorance. Eight years after Nyerere’s death, Tanzanians are still grappling with the three enemies.

On the brighter side, Tanzanians are reaping the fruits of democratic maturity: opposition leaders can now openly challenge the government; the media is free to report without fear; citizens are slowly holding their leaders accountable and chasing away tainted ones from various political rallies as a way of expressing their lack of faith in them.

The fact that Nyerere accepted the multiparty system in the country in 1992, is a sign that he wanted the CCM government to have a check in its leadership. Through checks, there is increased awareness among citizens. Various laws however hinder the prevalence of democracy including the United Republic of Tanzanian Constitution that remains unchanged despite the fact that it was enacted when the country was under the single party. Despite the fact that Tanzanians called for constitutional reforms even before Nyerere’s death, nothing has been done. Democracy will never be realized in a country that lacks a democratic constitution.