It is Raining Cats, Dogs ...
And Murder!
By
Valentine Marc Nkwame
Nobody
knows for sure why the rains are currently falling in Arusha at this time of the
year, though when you think of the dust that has been plaguing this town, rain
can’t be such a bad idea.
Both
history and the useless weather men, have always led us to believe that in
January (and of course February), Arusha is supposed to be a very hot place ...
Especially as far as crime is concerned.
The tough,
January- February heat, usually scorches both the town, individual pockets and
the bank balances of most Arusha residents... For credit please come
tomorrow.
However,
this year and particularly this week, there have been some changes in the usual
weather pattern and though it is January, going on to February, rains are
falling, day and night and in torrents...Plus it’s as cold as cold blooded
murder!
As I said,
since the town was very dusty, we don’t mind the rain, in fact we love the fact
that God has now made it official, that our weather men should find another
career.
It is our
sincere hope that God will be sending some more rains to Babati district,
Mererani mines and Arumeru where of late, cold blood murders have been the order
of the day.
But if
they don’t get rains, they are likely to get thunder and lightening. I mean,
there is this belief that thunder likes red color...Apparently, blood is crimson
red!
You know,
these guys had predicted that Arusha won’t be getting any rains this decade and
probably the next one too...If the current murder trend continues, then this
may well be true.
They also
cheesily added that due to the failed rains, this town will not be having water
either ... At least not in the taps.
Sure
enough, we don’t have much water in our taps, but this has nothing to do with
the drought. This is a time-tested Modus Operandi, of the Arusha Urban
Water Supply and Sewerage Authority ... Alias AUWSA.
Mind you,
so far no clear authority has been applied on the pungent sewage flowing in town
... Actually somebody once told me that, sewage water was good for manure,
therefore should be left to flow freely!
Point
taken, but may I also suggest that, tap water is also good for our home
vegetable gardens, not to mention for bathing after garden work ...Therefore,
tap water should also be allowed to flow freely (After all, we do pay for it).
Anyway,
about the rains. It is rather unfortunate that despite the recent heavy
downpours, the Naura river valley has not yet managed to overflow, as it used
to, in the past.
You see,
Arusha residents are dying for a good old swim, especially if it lethal ...
History has also proved that when you swim in the swollen Naura river, you end
up getting fished out dead!
The rains
are also a good reminder that, our Municipal Council ought to refund back our
hard-earned tax money back.
Unless of
course, if the council is prepared to give us clear explanations of why all the
drainage systems in town never seem to work...Choked with smelly carcasses of
dead cats and dogs.
That is
despite investing billions of money in the alleged road project which is turning
out to be a big hoax.
Speaking
of the Municipal Council, have the guys in there tried to visit the congested
Nyamwezi Street lately?
I can’t
imagine how that narrow street, choked with food vendors, hawkers and assorted
merchandise looks like in these rainy days... Oh, Yes I can imagine.
I can also
imagine the plight of people living in Unga Limited, Sinon and Esso areas, where
all the murky rain waters have been directed to.
Ah! As for
my Njiro brethrens, you live in an area considered to be the Poshest potion of
Arusha town and Bel Air of northern zone. So, you certainly have nothing to
complain.
That is
apart from the dire condition of the Njiro road and the fact that you can get
murdered anytime of the day (but more so during the night)!
Now that
the rains are falling, it is almost difficult to hear screams of people being
killed in Njiro because the screams get muffled in thunder...So, it is
useless to even keep dogs.
Did I say
Njiro? Sorry, I meant Babati, Mererani and around Gomba Estate in Arumeru, where
it is believed that; An ugly murder a day, keeps the doctor (and the rains)
away!
More or
less, it is because most doctors practicing in these areas can’t afford to both
buy rain coats and hire private security guards...But I suppose they can
afford to keep cats.
Mind you I
am not trying to say that Njiro is entirely a safe haven now that murders have
shifted to Babati, Gomba and Mererani.
Definitely
not at this time of the year when most pockets (and bank balances) are
drained... And certainly not now, that it is raining cats and dogs.
Valentine@nkwame.snr.cx
