PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has instituted an extensive administrative reshuffle partially reflecting expected resignations to stand for legislative aspiration among senior non-parliamentary officials.

Dr Moses Kusiluka, the chief secretary, announced the changes in a State House statement indicating appointments of new regional commissioners and transferring others to different regions and the removal of several officials from their posts, while a number of top administrators were relieved of their posts.

The timing of the reshuffle fed into widely known intentions where some outgoing officials are ready to seek elective positions as the ruling party opens its nomination window in the coming days.

Regional commissioners for Arusha, Iringa, Kigoma, Mbeya and Songwe were replaced, while new individuals were appointed to the positions in Kigoma, Shinyanga, Mbeya, Iringa and Songwe, with several RCs assigned to different regions.

Most notable was Kenan Kihongosi who takes up Arusha Region from his previous post as Simiyu RC, replacing Paul Makonda, who is among those considered to be vying for a parliamentary position. 

The ex-Arusha RC vied for Parliament in 2015 and prompted his removal as Dar es Salaam regional commissioner, but pundits believe he has built a substantial following since starting to serve as Arusha RC two years ago.

Other RCs relieved of their duties include Peter Serukamba (Iringa), Thobias Andengenye (Kigoma), Juma Homera (Mbeya) and Daniel Chongolo (Songwe), the statement indicated

President Samia had earlier demanded that public officials intending to vie for political office in the coming polls to formally resign from their current positions, a proviso they do not need to pursue but notify appointing authorities for their being replaced.

Resignation is required in ensuring transparency of electoral intentions within a public service context, where such positions can’t be mixed with electoral campaigning.

The reshuffle also touched ministries, districts and some public institutions, where Agnes Meena takes over as Livestock permanent secretary, Dr Hussein Mohamed Omar takes over similar responsibilities at Education. Prof Peter Msoffe at Environment and Athumani Kilundumya at Agriculture portfolio, the statement indicated.

New regional administrative secretaries appointed are Abdul Mhinte (Dar es Salaam) and Dr Frank Hawasi (Songwe), while new district commissioners and executive directors are being redeployed across the country.

Machibya Masanja was similarly appointed Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) director general, it added.