Yesterday as polling stations opened in Tanzania, the Internet was shut down—blocking communication via email, text and social media--and the reality of that has made it hard to file this article. To a certain extent, I blame myself. I gambled on the optimism with which we conduct our public affairs. I was wrong.

One question is: how much more of this Magufuli-ism can we take?

Tanzania has benefited from the appearance of development and democratization without enjoying the reality of it.