DAR ES SALAAM, Sept. 14 -- THE governments decision to launch a two-week campaign to restore cleanliness in major cities is welcome but should also make us uncomfortable.

We must honestly admit that we have not been doing our duty. It is particularly shameful that President Samia Suluhu Hassan has had to call publicly for cities to be kept clean.

Urban cleanliness is not a new responsibility created by a presidential directive. It is a basic obligation of local government authorities that should be discharged every day.

We have health inspectors and other responsible officials at regional, municipal, council, division and ward levels

. What, then, are they doing while heaps of garbage accumulate in markets and residential areas? Why d...