President Jakaya Kikwete announced a ‘minor but fulfilling’ cabinet reshuffle that retained ministers who have been described as ’a burden’ to the government, brought in several new faces and promoted a number of deputy ministers.
Chief Secretary Ambassador Ombeni Sefue announces the cabinet reshuffle during a press conference held at the State House in Dar es Salaam.
Announcing the reshuffle in Dar es Salaam, the Chief Secretary, Ambassador Ombeni Sefue, defended the ‘so-described as tainted-yet-retained’ ministers as ‘’not being responsible for the inefficiencies in their ministries.’’
The ‘tainted’ ones include Education and Culture Minister Dr Shukuru Kawambwa, Water Minister Prof Jumanne Maghembe and Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives Minister Christopher Chiza. They have all retained their positions.
Their deputies, except Mr Philipo Mulugo (Education and Culture), have retained their positions.
They are Mr Adam Malima and Dr Binilith Mahenge. The latter has been appointed Minister of State in the Vice-President’s Office (Environment Peramiho MP Jenister Mhagama is new Deputy Education and Vocational Training Minister, while Dr Mahenge’s position has been taken by Mr Godfrey Zambi while Prof Maghembe’s deputy is Mr Amos Makala.
Announcing the names of five new cabinet ministers who have taken over vacant positions caused by resignation of four ministers in Parliament last month and the death of Finance Minister, Dr William Mgimwa, Ambassador Sefue named Ms Saada Mkuya Salum as Finance Minister, with Mr Mwigulu Nchemba and Mr Adam Malima as her deputies.
Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr Lazaro Nyalandu, takes over as minister while Mr Mahamoud Mgimwa becomes his deputy. Mr Mathias Chikawe is new Home Affairs Minister, while Mr Pereira Ame Silima remains deputy minister.
Former United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Dr Asha- Rose Migiro, takes over the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs from Mr Mathias Chikawe, while Ms Angelah Kairuki remains deputy minister.
Dr Titus Kamani takes over as Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Development, with Mr Kaika Telele as his deputy replacing Benedict ole Nangoro.
Dr Hussein Mwinyi takes over as new Minister for Defence and National Service, while his deputy at the Health Ministry, Dr Seif Rashid, succeeds him, with Dr Steven Kebwe as his deputy.
Other surprise faces dropped include Dr Terezya Huvisa who was Minister of State in the Vice-President’s Office (Environment).
Ms Pindi Chana takes over as Deputy Minister for Community Development, Gender and Children from Ms Ummy Mwalimu, who has been transferred to the VPO as deputy minister responsible for union matters replacing Mr Charles Kitwanga.
Mr Kitwanga has been appointed Deputy Minister for Energy and Minerals; replacing Mr George Simbachawene who goes to the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements to replace Mr Goodluck ole Medeye.
Mr Gregory Theu has been dropped as Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry and his place taken by Ms Janet Mbene, who was formerly a deputy minister for finance.
Veteran broadcaster and Kondoa South MP Juma Nkamia becomes the new Deputy Minister for Information, Youth, Culture and Sports.
All other ministers and their deputies remain unchanged. The swearing-in ceremony of the new appointees will be held this afternoon at the State House in Dar es Salaam.
Meanwhile, President Kikwete is going through over 2,700 names of candidates submitted by various interest groups to fill 210 Constitutional Parliamentary positions, ahead of the commencement of the two-and-a-halfmonths constitutional assembly next month.
By FINNIGAN WA SIMBEYE, Tanzania Daily News
