Tanzania’s Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa, has announced his decision not to run for the Ruangwa constituency seat, which he has held as a Member of Parliament for the past 15 years.
The announcement comes as a last-minute reversal from the premier, who had earlier declared on June 26, 2025, that he would seek re-election in Ruangwa.
“I acknowledge that I have often been outside our constituency serving the nation, but the people of Ruangwa have continued to support me. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you very much… I would like to inform you that I am coming to collect the nomination forms and to seek your approval,” Majaliwa said during his closing speech as head of government operations in Parliament.
In a surprising twist, news circulated on the morning of July 2, 2025, quoting CCM Ruangwa District Secretary, Abbas Makweta, who confirmed that Majaliwa had decided not to run again.
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The announcement coincides with the final day for collecting nomination forms, signaling a possible last-minute reflection by the Prime Minister.
There were no any signs, that Majaliwa was planning not to run, even though he had missed out key final CCM’s events due to obligations outside the country. Notably, Majaliwa was unable to attend the CCM National Congress and present the party’s 2025 implementation manifesto during the special congress held on May 29 and 30, 2025, due to his tour in Japan for the World Expo 2025. The Deputy Prime Minister, Dotto Biteko, presented on his behalf.
Speaking in Ruangwa later today, Majaliwa explained his decision to CCM members and several aspirants outside the Ruangwa CCM office.
“I have come today, on the last day of collecting nomination forms, to meet cadres of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), the youth of Ruangwa who love development, who have already come forward to collect forms for the parliamentary seat after I have served for 10 to 15 years since 2010,” Majaliwa said in his usual lively tone.
“Now the time has come, through the unity we have built, to give an opportunity to the people of Ruangwa, born and raised here, and who are passionate about development, to now join forces so that our slogan ‘Ruangwa for Development is Possible’ can be realized,” Majaliwa added.
Majaliwa remains one of the most symbolic figures of the Fifth Phase Government. He was also a key player during the transition period, before and after the announcement of President Magufuli’s death.
Although his overall influence has waned since the Magufuli era, Majaliwa has shown considerable adaptability and political resilience; especially due to frequent government change, including the newly created position of Deputy Prime Minister.
“For us the people of Ruangwa, let us view this change as something normal — it is a journey that is also guided by Almighty God. God has a plan for each person, their work, their path, their beginning, and their end,” Majaliwa told CCM members today
He continued: “Therefore, this decision too has been guided by God with the best intentions. The party cadres who have come today to collect nomination forms have also been guided by God to do so. But in the end, it is the citizens who will make the decision to choose one among them.”
One Response
“his overall influence has waned since the Magufuli era”
I totally agree. During the popular Magufuli era Majaliwa was all over the country assisting JPM in fighting corruptions and embezzlement – kutumbua was order of the day
Today it is shameful uchawa regime singing the song of “mama mama mama”. I am not surprised Majaliwa decided to throw in the towel