Magambo enters Geita town MP race as political temperature soars

Geita. The race for the Geita Town parliamentary seat has intensified following the entry of Manjale Magambo, the former Chairman of Chama Cha Mapinduzi’s (CCM) Youth Wing (UVCCM) in Geita Region, who officially collected nomination forms to seek the party’s endorsement ahead of the 2025 General Election.

Magambo, a seasoned youth leader within CCM, picked up the forms at the party’s district office in Geita on Friday, June 28. He was handed the documents by the CCM District Secretary, Michael Msuya, in a brief handover ceremony attended by local supporters and party members.

“I have grown through the ranks of this party, and today I take this bold step with the intention of representing the people of Geita Town with energy, integrity, and steadfast commitment to CCM ideals,” said Magambo.

The seat is currently held by Constantine Kanyasu, who has served as Member of Parliament since 2015. While Kanyasu is widely expected to defend his position, Magambo’s entry signals a likely stiff competition within CCM as it prepares for its internal nomination process.

Magambo’s candidacy also reflects a broader push within the ruling party for generational renewal, with calls growing louder for the inclusion of young leaders in national governance. Earlier this year, Magambo had publicly urged CCM youth to come forward and contest leadership roles, while also stressing the need for discipline and unity during the electoral process.

His entry into the race follows similar moves by opposition figures in Geita. Candidates from ACT-Wazalendo, including Innocent Charles and Emmanuel Otto, have also collected nomination forms, pointing to a potentially hotly contested constituency.

Key issues expected to dominate the campaigns include equitable benefit-sharing from the mining sector, youth unemployment, infrastructure development, and the provision of basic social services. Geita Town is home to one of the country’s largest mining operations—Geita Gold Mine—where community grievances over land compensation and environmental impact remain unresolved.

Earlier this year, MP Kanyasu raised concerns about the slow pace and lack of transparency in the implementation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects by mining companies in the region. The Geita Regional Commissioner also demanded greater accountability from mining firms operating in the area.

Residents of Nyamalembo Ward have in recent months appealed to their leaders, including Kanyasu, to intervene in long-standing disputes involving unfulfilled compensation and damage to farmland allegedly caused by mining activities.

Magambo’s decision to run is likely to energise the youth electorate and place additional pressure on CCM’s vetting committee, which must now navigate a competitive nomination field while preserving party unity.

As the election season gathers pace, Geita Town emerges as one of the constituencies to watch—where party loyalty, generational transition, and community demands are all converging in a high-stakes political contest.