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Job Ndugai: A legacy of power, reform and political paradox
Job Ndugai during his time as Speaker of the National Assembly. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- Ndugai leaves behind a parliament that he helped to professionalise—but also one marked by internal rifts and stormy relations with the opposition
Dar es Salaam. As Tanzania mourns the passing of former Speaker of Parliament Job Ndugai, tributes continue to pour in, not just for his long service in public office, but also for his complex and, at times, contentious role in shaping the country’s legislative landscape.
Ndugai, who died on Wednesday in Dodoma at the age of 62, leaves behind a parliament that he helped to professionalise and assert—but also one marked by internal rifts and stormy relations with the opposition.
Elected Speaker in 2015 after serving two terms as Deputy Speaker, Ndugai earned both praise and criticism for his firm, procedural leadership. Known for his strict interpretation of House rules, Ndugai was known for a strict interpretation of House rules and took pride in restoring order and consistency in legislative processes.
Under his leadership, parliamentary oversight functions expanded significantly. Committees became more vocal on matters of public interest, including government spending and accountability. Ndugai consistently reminded ministers and fellow lawmakers of the need to respect Parliament’s authority.
To those who served with him, especially MPs from Dodoma, he was a symbol of unity, a political mentor and a champion of development for the region.
“Many may not realise this, but I will remember him most for the major reforms to the Standing Orders in 2007—reforms still guiding Parliament today,” said the Minister of State in the President’s Office (Public Service Management and Good Governance) and long-serving MP, Mr George Simbachawene.
Former Dodoma Urban MP Anthony Mavunde, now CCM candidate for Mtumba, said Ndugai was passionate about education, while former Mvumi MP Livingston Lusinde described him as a firm decision-maker during moments of political tension.
A speakership defined by tension
Ndugai’s time as Speaker coincided with the presidency of John Magufuli, whose powerful executive style sparked concern over the shrinking democratic space. Many expected Parliament to be the voice of the voiceless, yet Ndugai was often seen as supportive of the executive, a stance that drew criticism.
His most defining moment came in late 2021, when he publicly criticised the government’s rising foreign debt.
Speaking at a cultural event for his Wagogo tribe, he warned that the country risked being “auctioned off” if borrowing continued unchecked. His comments, seen by some as patriotic and by others as political dissent, came just months into President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s tenure.
The backlash was swift. Though he apologised, the President dismissed it as electioneering. Just weeks later, on January 6, 2022, Ndugai resigned, making him the first Speaker to do so in the era of multi-party democracy.
He later revealed that it was former Prime Minister John Malecela who visited him in Kongwa and urged him to step down.
The Chadema Special Seats controversy
Another defining episode was his role in swearing in 19 Chadema Special Seats MPs in 2020. The ceremony was conducted outside the House, despite Chadema’s public rejection of the MPs. Ndugai stood by the move, telling the MPs, “Serve Tanzanians. I will protect you.”
The move triggered a fierce internal dispute within Chadema, leading to court battles and expulsions. To some, Ndugai was fulfilling his constitutional role; to others, it was an overstep that deepened political polarisation.
Beyond the Gavel
Following his resignation, Dr Tulia Ackson, then Deputy Speaker, succeeded him and ushered in a more conciliatory, less combative style of leadership. While some observers say Parliament under Tulia has become more disciplined, others say it has grown quieter.
Despite stepping down as Speaker, Ndugai remained politically active. He continued to serve as MP for Kongwa—a position he had held since 2000—and recently secured over 5,600 votes in the CCM primaries ahead of the 2025 elections.
A trained scientist and conservationist, Ndugai used his platform to advocate for sustainable development. Yet it was his political acumen that defined his public image.
As Tanzania prepares to lay him to rest, his legacy remains one of paradox: a parliamentary leader who stood for institutional order but faced accusations of partisanship; a patriot who voiced concern over debt but paid a political price; and a committed CCM loyalist whose influence remained strong until the end.
