Far from the myth of the omnipotent father of the nation, big man or dictator, the Kenyan presidential system was built on divisions and uncertainty.
Was it South Africa’s political opposition, rather than the plight of Zimbabweans, that pushed Pretoria to respond?
Mkapa, who penned an autobiography, had an impressive record in building state institutions. But his reign was marked by killings and political suppression.
Mkapa’s presidency is particularly significant since it represents the first phase of Tanzanian multi-party democracy.
But even with Bernard Membe as its candidate, the Tanzanian opposition would face an uphill task.
