Kilio cha watanzania

Siamini!

Masikio yenu mmetia pamba

wananchi mwatuona vyura

wapiga kelele za kukoroma

Na kamusi mmezichoma

hamjui maana ya haki

wala wajibu

U wapi uhuru wetu?

Na ile katiba tukufu

mmefungia ubuyu

Mmegeuka tingatinga

nchi mnaizoa kama taka

na hakuna wakuwapinga

Wananchi wanahamaki

nchi yafuga mafisadi

na hali zao zi matatani

Na tena wamevurugwa

wanasema bora kunyeshe

waone panapovuja

Wallahi ninaogopa

naitazama Sudani na pale walipofika

hawakuanza kama sisi?

Moyo wasisimka

nikiona Loliondo

na fujo za mwendo kasi

Najiuliza,

Ni nani ataumia nchi tukiiasi?

ni watoto waso hatia

na masikini waso na nguvu

Nawaona mabeberu

wanavyojipanga kwenye foleni

wakisubiri tuanguke

Mu wapi viongozi wa nchi yetu Tanzania?

watu wenu wanalia

mbona mmewasusia?

Ya wapi maridhiano?

wako wapi watanzania

mlioapa kuwalinda?

Tulindieni amani yetu

Tulindieni haki za watu

Na wananchi wasikilizwe.

I write this poem in Swahili. It is a plea. It seems the leaders have turned a deaf ear to the plight of its citizens. People want free and fair elections, but Tundu Lissu is still in jail and Chadema (the major opposition party) is out of the election. The police continue their harsh treatment of those in opposition. Just recently, the police beat up the people who went to see Tundu Lissu's trial. There is such excessive use of force on citizens, those in opposition, and activists. Online, people are embittered. On the ground, people are disillusioned. There is such a deep erosion of trust, and it is, frankly, quite scary. I know a poem might not reach the eyes or ears of those in power, but I write anyway, asking them to listen to the voices of the people. It is not too late to do the right thing.