Tanzania opposition leader Tundu Lissu has dissented reports that the nation is basking in glory amid the tough economic times in Kenya.
A discussion about Tanzania- among other countries in the region thriving in matters economy has been alive for a while now even as a section of Kenyans continue to grapple with increased cost of fuel among other commodities.
Speaking in an interview with KTN News, Lissu said Tanzanians also have challenges like Kenya’s or even worse.
While acknowledging that fuel prices in Kenya have gone up, Lissu detailed that the issue of taxes and high prices of fuel was no different in his country.
Additionally, the former presidential candidate explained that fuel prices in Tanzania are higher than some landlocked countries using its port to import oil.
In a way similar to how a section of Kenyans referred President William Ruto to as Zakayo due to his insistence of tax increment, Lissu said that some Tanzanians have also nicknamed their leader “Mama Tozo”- which translates to the “the tax lady”.
“Are you serious. Our President is called Mama tozo. Taxes are everywhere, life is unbearable. Fuel prices are higher than in Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and DRC,” Lissu said in the interview.
Even worse, he added, Tanzanians do not have avenues to air their grievances unlike in Kenya where the opposition has a voice and is vibrant.
Also Read: CBK Explains Why Tanzania, Uganda Are Beating Kenya’s Economy
Lissu Explains why Kenya is a Haven Compared to Tanzania
According to him, Kenya has proven to be a nation where divergent views are respected hence, making it stand out among several other countries in the region.
During the interview, the opposition leader accused Tanzania’s government of gagging the media and opposition leaders to an extent that media houses are afraid of hosting him.
He reiterated that Kenya is akin to a haven in the region where politicians can speak freely and air their opinions.
“Your challenges can’t be compared to those of people with worse problems. You have an avenue where your grievances can be aired. We don’t have such an avenue in Tanzania,” Tundu Lissu said.
Also Read: Kenyans Furious as Tanzania Reduces Fuel Prices
Furthermore, Lissu cast his doubts regarding reports that investors had recently favored Tanzania as an investment destination ahead of Kenya.
The leader praised Kenya as a nation with an open-door policy.
This comes following a report by KPMG in October indicating that Tanzania had beaten Kenya in terms of the ideal investment destination among investors.
The report sparked debate in the Kenya with some quarters insinuating that taxes had contributed to the loss of investor confidence.
Later in November, Tanzania announced plans to slash fuel prices at a time Kenya’s government was hinting at a possible record high rise.
Lissu’s Hard time in Tanzania politics
Lissu returned to Tanzania in January 2023 after spending close six years in Belgium.
Coming on the back of losing the country’s presidential election, the former CHADEMA Presidential candidate chose to flee the country citing what he called an assassination attempt by the then government.