| ELECTION 2010: Second JK rally passes off smoothly | Send to a friend |
| Monday, 23 August 2010 11:32 |
 By The Citizen ReporterCCM’s second day of campaign’s passed off without incident yesterday when the party’s presidential candidate, President Jakaya Kikwete, addressed a big rally in Mwanza. President Kikwete addressed the meeting at CCM Kirumba Stadium barely 24 hours after collapsing at the ruling party’s inaugural campaign meeting attended by thousands of people at Jangwani grounds in Dar es Salaam. There was palpable apprehension as President Kikwete rose to speak a few minutes to 6pm following speeches by CCM Mwanza regional secretary Rajab Kundya, regional chairman Clement Mabina and running mate Mohamed Gharib Bilal. However, there was barely a hint of the affliction that hit the CCM candidate after he had spoken for about 15 minutes in Dar es Salaam. President Kikwete collapsed on Sunday and was carried to an ambulance, sparking panic and anxiety among top CCM officials and thousands of people who attended the rally. He, however, returned to the podium, after 15 but spoke for only five minutes before leaving the venue. The CCM candidate, who is seeking a second and final five-year term, yesterday spoke for about 40 minutes, during which he expounded the achievements of his government in the last five years and his plan for the next five years should he win re-election on October 31. Meanwhile, a number of Mtwara municipality residents have appealed to President Kikwete’s health specialists to tell the nation what is troubling the head of the state. They want to know if anything is wrong with his health, they said in an appeal that follows Saturday’s incident at Jangwani grounds in Dar es Salaam where President Kikwete collapsed in the middle of his campaign inauguration speech. Commenting on the recent event, the residents said the situation calls for detailed explanation as it was not the first time that the President has collapsed in public. Mtwara residents who spoke to The Citizen said they were worried that President Kikwete continues to collapse in public with his lieutenants proclaiming that he has no health problem. “If President Kikwete has no problem with his health, his doctors should tell us why he is collapsing every now and then. The President’s doctors should not go round this issue because it is of national importance... the health of a head of state is not something which can be taken for granted,” said Mr Idd Salim. He said Tanzanians have the right to know what is troubling their top national leader. Another resident, Mr Ibrahim Seif, said even if revealing what is troubling the President would politically cost the ruling party, it was important to do so in order to safeguard national interests. He said he was shocked when the news spread on Saturday that President Kikwete had collapsed when addressing a rally in Dar es Salaam. “It’s not a normal incident for the president to faint... how many Tanzanians were affected by the incident? There is a need to be told the truth,” he said. The Jangwani incident was the third in which President Kikwete had collapsed in public. The last time was on October 4, last year, when he fell down at the Mwanza CCM Kirumba Stadium during the African Inland Church of Tanzania (AICT) centenary celebrations. In the past two incidents, Mr Kikwete’s doctors and aides blamed physical exhaustion. In last Saturday’s incident, low blood sugar and blood pressure were cited as factors that affected the President’s state. However, the President recovered fast and returned to the podium from where he tried to resume his address to his visibly worried supporters. However, he appeared to struggle a little before the meeting was called off. Messages of sympathy and goodwill were received soon after from the President’s opponents, the Civic United Front and Chadema candidates, Prof Ibrahim Lipumba and Dr Willibrod Slaa, respectively, who wished him well. Prof Lipumba said in a statement that he had been shocked to learn about the incident and wished him a quick recovery. On the other hand, Dr Slaa, who will be making his maiden attempt at the presidency, reportedly phoned Mr Kikwete to express his sympathy. The incident has triggered public debate in social networks, with some people suggesting that Mr Kikwete should retire from active politics as his health seems to be seriously wrong. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites           |
