Tanzanian President, Samia Suluhu Hassan on Wednesday reshuffled her cabinet in a move that saw former minerals minister Doto Biteko emerge as Deputy Prime Minister, as well as placement of various other existing ministers in new dockets.
The latest cabinet adjustment is the second such change since she took power in March 2021.
Biteko will take up the Energy Ministry portfolio from January Makamba, who was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation. Stergomena Tax, a former foreign minister, will return to the Defense Ministry, where she served until switching to international affairs last year.
Chief Secretary Moses Kusiluka said in a statement, “As deputy to Kassim Majaliwa who was retained as Prime Minister, Mr Biteko will be in charge of coordinating government activities.”
In addition, the Works and Transport Ministry was divided in two, and Stephen Byabato was appointed deputy minister of foreign affairs with direct responsibility for EAC matters.
Innocent Bashungwa, the former minister of works and transportation, was appointed minister of works; Prof. Makame Mbarawa, the former minister of works and transportation, was named minister of transportation; and Biteko was replaced as minister of minerals by Anthony Mavunde, a deputy minister for agriculture.
Four ministers had their portfolios switched. Damas Ndumbaro, who previously served as Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, is replacing her. Pindi Chana was promoted to the position of Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, where she will oversee, among other things, the government’s involvement in the constitutional review process.
Mohamed Mchengerwa was replaced as Minister of State in the President’s Office in charge of Local Governments by Angellah Kairuki, who was appointed as Minister of Tourism and Natural Resources.
Jerry Silaa, who replaced Angelina Mabula as Minister of Lands, Housing, and Human Settlements Development, is the lone newbie in the cabinet. Kennedy Gastorn was appointed principal secretary in charge of EAC relations in the Foreign Ministry, one of numerous changes that were announced among permanent secretaries.
President Hassan took over office in 2021 following the death of former president John Magufuli. Within two weeks of her assignment, she appointed a new vice president and reshuffled the previous cabinet.
She made a few adjustments to the cabinet directives in July when the Ministry of Finance and Planning was renamed the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade, was renamed the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
The Minister of State in the President’s Office Planning and Investment position was established as a new position within the presidential administration.