President Samia Suluhu has announced dozens of new appointments and transfers at the regional and district levels, as well as within a state-owned enterprise—the Tanzania Railways Corporation on June 23, 2025. The reshuffle comes as several outgoing officials are expected to enter the ruling party’s primaries in hopes of securing nominations for the upcoming general election, which is expected to be highly contentious as the main opposition party, CHADEMA, is banned from participating in the election.

Speaking during the 39th gathering of the Association of Local Authorities of Tanzania (ALAT) on March 11, 2025, President Samia emphasized the importance of public servants declaring their political ambitions early to prevent disruptions in governance.

“I told the Chief Secretary to send an official circular to local government authorities. Anyone intending to run for office should inform us early so we can promote someone under them to take over that position. We don’t want a situation where nomination forms are already out and everyone is rushing to collect them, leaving local governments without leaders or supervisors. You end up filling those roles with people who lack experience. But if we know early, we can prepare people to fill those positions,” President Samia said.

She added: “Now, if you don’t declare your intentions early, and you go pick up the nomination forms and later fail, you’ll have lost everything—you’ll miss the nomination, you’ll lose your position, and you’ll have left your post behind. But if you inform us early, and you go try and fail, and you’re a good performer, we will consider reinstating you.”

Among the most notable changes, Kenan Leban Kihongosi, the current Regional Commissioner of Simiyu, has been appointed to replace Paul Makonda as the Regional Commissioner of Arusha. Makonda is expected to contest in the CCM primaries for the Arusha constituency. His political rivalry with the current MP of Arusha, Mrisho Gambo, has become increasingly public, with Gambo alleging that his wife was dismissed from her position as an education officer due to political tensions. Anamringi Macha, who had been serving as the Regional Commissioner of Shinyanga, will now take over as the Simiyu Regional Commissioner.

Other appointments include the former Inspector General of Police and Ambassador Simon Sirro, who has been named the Regional Commissioner of Kigoma, replacing Thobias Andengenye. Kheri James has been appointed as the new Regional Commissioner of Iringa, succeeding Peter Serukamba. Mboni Mohamed Mhita will serve as the Regional Commissioner of Shinyanga, while Beno Malisa has been appointed as the Regional Commissioner of Mbeya, replacing Juma Zuberi Homera. Jabiri Omari Makame has taken over as the Regional Commissioner of Songwe, replacing Daniel Godfrey Chongolo.

In a significant change at the Tanzania Railways Corporation, Masanja Kadogosa, the former Director General, has left his position. Engineer Machibya Masanja, who had been serving as the Director of Infrastructure, has been named the new Director General of the state-owned enterprise.

These changes were announced shortly after the ruling party, CCM, declared on June 23, 2025, a suspension of all working tours, meetings, seminars, and conferences involving members eligible to vote in the primaries at all levels. The move is aimed at curbing undue influence during the nomination process.

Other announced appointments at various levels include:

1. Ms. Agnes Meena has been appointed as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries replacing Riziki Shemdoe
2. Mr. Abdul Rajab Mhinte has been appointed as the Regional Administrative Secretary of Dar es Salaam Region, from his former post as the Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries.

3. Mr. Rashid Kassim Mchata has been transferred from Coast Region to serve as the Regional Administrative Secretary of Tanga Region.
4. Ms. Pili Hassan Mnyema has been transferred from Tanga Region to serve as the Regional Administrative Secretary of Coast Region.
5. Dr. Frank Hawasi has been appointed as the Regional Administrative Secretary of Songwe Region.
6. Dr. Hussein Mohamed Omar has been transferred from the Ministry of Agriculture to serve as Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
7. Prof. Peter Lawrence Makenga Msoffe has been appointed as Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Vice President’s Office responsible for Environment.
8. Eng. Athumani Juma Kilundumya has been appointed as Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture responsible for Crop Development and Food Security.
9. Solomon Jonas Itunda has been transferred from Songwe District to serve as District Commissioner of Mbeya District.
10. Japhari Kubecha Mghamba has been transferred from Handeni District to serve as District Commissioner of Gairo District.
11. Amir Mohamed Mkalipa has been transferred from Arumeru District to serve as District Commissioner of Ilemela District.
12. Estomin Mwatuyobe Kyando has been appointed as District Commissioner of Kilolo District.
13. Ayubu Yasin Sebabile has been appointed as District Commissioner of Muheza District.
14. Thecla Mkuchika has been appointed as District Commissioner of Butiama District.
15. Angelina Marco Lubela has been appointed as District Commissioner of Serengeti District.
16. Maulid Hassan Dotto has been appointed as District Commissioner of Mvomero District.
17. Rukia Ally Zuberi has been appointed as District Commissioner of Mwanga District.
18. Mwinyi Ahmed Mwinyi has been appointed as District Commissioner of Arumeru District.
19. Jubilete Win Lauwo has been appointed as District Commissioner of Magu District.
20. Mikaya Tumaini Dalmia has been appointed as District Commissioner of Kigamboni District.
21. Thomas Mendraid Myinga has been appointed as District Commissioner of Sikonge District.
22. Gloriana Julius Kimath has been appointed as District Commissioner of Monduli District.
23. Upendo Bert Wella has been appointed as District Commissioner of Tabora District.
24. Denis Gervas Masanja has been appointed as District Commissioner of Tunduru District.
25. Fadhil Emanuel Nkurlu has been appointed as District Commissioner of Songwe District.
26. Benjamin Samwel Sitta has been appointed as District Commissioner of Iringa District.
27. Salum Nyamwese has been appointed as District Commissioner of Handeni District.
28. Frank John Mkinda has been appointed as District Commissioner of Kahama District.
29. Mwanamwaya Kombo has been appointed as District Executive Director of Mkinga District.
30. Kassim Salum Kirondomara has been appointed as District Executive Director of Biharamulo District.
31. Thobias Abwaro has been appointed as District Executive Director of Babati District.
32. Asycritus Mumena Egaruk has been appointed as District Executive Director of Meatu District.
33. Nyakaji Etanga Mashauri has been appointed as District Executive Director of Kilolo District.
34. Mustapha Ayubu Kimomwe has been appointed as District Executive Director of Rufiji District.
35. Milama Masiko has been appointed as District Executive Director of Serengeti District.
36. Mpampalika Mfaume Mpampalika has been appointed as District Executive Director of Mwanga District.
37. Richard Jackson Mwalingo has been appointed as District Executive Director of Mtwara District.
38. Zuberi Said Zuberi has been appointed as District Executive Director of Magu District.
39. Angela Henry Mono has been appointed as District Executive Director of Tanga District.
40. Mamndolwa Miraj Gembe has been appointed as District Executive Director of Same District.
41. Sabina Starlin Mwajeka has been appointed as District Executive Director of Momba District.
42. Sosthenes Chakupanyuka has been appointed as District Executive Director of Kaliua District.
43. Adestino Gwelino Mwilinge has been appointed as District Executive Director of Mbogwe District.
44. Justice Laurent Kijazi has been transferred from Iringa Municipal Council to serve as City Executive Director of Mbeya City Council.
45. Zaina Mfaume Mlawa has been transferred from Bahi District Council to serve as Executive Director of Iringa Municipal Council.
46. Raymond Mweli has been appointed as District Executive Director of Mbarali District Council.
47. Adelina Enock Mfikwa has been appointed as District Executive Director of Bukombe District Council.
48. Iddi Ally Ndabona has been appointed as Executive Director of Bariadi Town Council.
49. Hamisi Hamidu Idd has been appointed as District Executive Director of Busega District Council.
50. Mwarami Seif has been appointed as District Executive Director of Nzega District Council.
51. Ms. Newaho Mkisi has been appointed as District Executive Director of Meatu District Council.
52. Zainab Salum Mgomi has been appointed as Executive Director of Nanyamba Town Council.
53. John Marco Pima has been appointed as Executive Director of Tabora Municipal Council.
54. Albina Willium Mtumbuka has been appointed as District Executive Director of Bahi District Council.
55. Paulo Francis Faty has been appointed as District Executive Director of Mvomero District Council.
56. Shabani Kabelwa has been appointed as District Executive Director of Kaliua District Council.
57. Vicent Augustino Mbua has been appointed as District Executive Director of Ukerewe District Council.