Hope, frustration over new law process as stage set for proposed Katiba handover

Dodoma. Preparations for today’s big event here were in full force yesterday as government vehicles roamed across the town to invite residents to Jamhuri Stadium.

In the afternoon today, the chairperson of the Constituent Assembly (CA), Mr Samuel Sitta, will hand over to President Jakaya Kikwete and Zanzibar President, Dr Ali Mohammed Shein, the proposed Constitution which was prepared by the CA.

Inter-demonination prayers were held last evening ahead of the hand-over expected to be witnessed by a cross section of national leaders and other invited dignitaries.

It was not immediately known if President Kikwete and Dr Shein were expected to arrive in Dodoma last evening or today before the event kicks off.

Government vehicles mounted with public address system criss-crossed the town, asking residents not to miss the historic event.

 “It is a big honour for our town, this moment is not an ordinary one and it will take so many decades for it to happen again, so spare some time and get to the grounds as early as possible to become part of the history,” aired part of the announcement.

At Jamhuri Stadium, police and workers from the fire department were cleaning the venue and putting final touches to the main dais. Later, there were special thanksgiving prayers at Nyerere Square gardens by religious leaders.

Dodoma regional commissioner Rehema Nchimbi told journalists on Monday that the government arrived at choosing Jamhuri Stadium as the venue for the historic day because they wanted many people to take part.

There were mixed feelings among Dodoma residents who spoke of their hope and frustration over the whole constitutional writing process.

Mr John Chilomo, a resident of Nzuguni said he would attend because the proposed supreme law has met what he wished for.

For Ms Marcelina Julius of Chang’ombe area, today is the day of celebrating women’s emancipation.  “I will definitely go and I hope other women of this town will flock into the stadium, we have been granted with all the basic rights like our male counterparts,” she said

However, not all people here will attend or that they are happy with the CA’s proposed constitution.

A motorcycle taxi rider, Mr Danstan Ihucha, said the CA watered down the good work done by the Judge Joseph Warioba led Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) in their second draft constitution. “MCAs were full of ill-will  politicians, they removed the section which empowered us to remove lazy MPs from office even before elections, more painful is that even low level individuals had the audacity to insult a giant like Judge Warioba,” he said.

He predicted that majority of those who will attend will be supporters of the ruling party CCM. “It is supposed to be a national occasion, but they will flock with their party fatigues, just wait and see.”

For Mr Said Saanane, a stall owner at Sabasaba market, there is no time to waste over political issues. “They say our fate is contained in the document, but that is another big lie from them. Politicians are all the same whether from opposition or ruling party they are just using us. I am not ready to be used for their cause,” he added.