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New faces emerge as over 100 sitting MPs fall in CCM primaries
What you need to know:
- The party’s primaries, held on August 4, 2025, saw over 60 percent of sitting MPs fail to secure the party’s nod to recontest their seats.
- The outcome reflects a strategic shift within CCM, with the party favouring candidates who topped in the primaries -a move interpreted as a signal of generational change and intensifying internal competition.
Dar es Salaam. A major shift is underway in Tanzania’s political landscape as more than 100 incumbent Members of Parliament (MPs) are set to exit the 13th Parliament following Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM)’s just-concluded internal nomination process.
The party’s primaries, held on August 4, 2025, saw over 60 percent of sitting MPs fail to secure the party’s nod to recontest their seats. The outcome reflects a strategic shift within CCM, with the party favouring candidates who topped in the primaries -a move interpreted as a signal of generational change and intensifying internal competition.
Among those ousted are five deputy ministers: Stanlaus Nyongo (Maswa East), Jumanne Sagini (Butiama), Cosato Chumi (Mufindi Urban), Khamis Hamza Chilo (Uzini), and Exaud Kagahe (Mufindi North).
Several prominent names also lost out, including former Parliamentary Committee Chair Dr Joseph Mhagama (Madaba), former Energy Minister Dr Medard Kalemani (Chato North), and former Natural Resources and Tourism Minister Dr Hamis Kigwangalla (Nzega Rural).
New wave of candidates
The primaries have ushered in a wave of new contenders, some of whom are former regional commissioners or opposition figures who recently joined CCM.
Former RCs Daniel Chongolo (Makambako), Juma Homera (Namtumbo), and Peter Serukamba (Kigoma North) all secured clear victories in their respective constituencies. Homera, the former Mbeya RC, posted a landslide win with 92 percent of the vote.
Notably, former opposition MPs who defected to CCM, such as Jesca Kishoa (Iramba East) and Kunti Majala (Chemba)—both formerly with Chadema—emerged victorious. However, most of the 19 former special-seat MPs who left Chadema struggled in the primaries.
Veterans unseated
The primaries were particularly unforgiving for political veterans. Long-serving legislators such as Jesca Msambatavangu (Iringa Urban), Vita Kawawa (Namtumbo), Deo Sanga (Makambako), Dr Charles Kimei (Vunjo), Stanslaus Nyongo (Maswa East), Dorothy Kilave (Temeke), Geoffrey Pinda (Kavuu), Emmanuel Mwakasaka (Tabora Urban), and Charles Mwijage (Muleba North) were among those who lost.
Other constituencies where prominent figures were unseated include Busanda, Handeni, Serengeti, Bagamoyo, Kibaha Rural, and Nachingwea—highlighting a sweeping shift within the party ranks.
In some cases, the defeats were overwhelming. In Nyasa, John Nchimbi clinched the nomination with 9,157 votes, while incumbent Stella Manyanya managed just 548. In Chemba, Kunti Majala led with 5,809 votes, ahead of Juma Nkamia who received 1,220.
Defectors struggle to gain ground
While several high-profile defectors from Chadema joined CCM in recent years, only a handful managed to secure leading positions in the primaries.
In Bunda Urban, former opposition MP Ester Bulaya finished third, trailing behind Robert Maboto and Kambarage Wasira. In Tabora Urban, Hawa Mwaifunga lost to Shaaban Mrutu, who secured 6,612 votes.
In Tarime Urban, Esther Matiko garnered only 196 votes, coming a distant third to Michael Kembaki, who led with 1,568. In Karatu, Cecilia Paresso lost to Daniel Awack, who secured a commanding 7,884 votes.
Results reflect voter frustration
Political analyst and former University of Dar es Salaam lecturer Dr Benson Bana said the results point to growing voter dissatisfaction with incumbents.
“Nearly a quarter of sitting MPs have clearly lost the confidence of their constituents,” he said. “This is a wake-up call.”
According to Dr Bana, the outcome signals that voters are increasingly focused on delivery and accountability.
“Many MPs failed to fulfil their promises, some made unrealistic or purely personal pledges that could not be implemented,” he noted.
He added that some legislators distanced themselves from their constituencies after getting elected, relying on money-driven campaigns and neglecting real engagement.
“Political survival depends on understanding and responding to the people’s needs,” he said. “Even imperfect leaders can endure if they stay close to the people and speak their language.”
He concluded that the results reflect rising intolerance for broken promises and a demand for meaningful representation.
What happens next?
The final list of CCM’s parliamentary candidates will now be reviewed by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), which is expected to convene in the coming days.
Although CCM’s NEC has, in previous election cycles, exercised discretion in altering primary outcomes, this year’s trend suggests a higher likelihood that top primary winners will be upheld.
If confirmed, the sweeping changes could significantly reshape the composition of the 13th Parliament, paving the way for a new generation of lawmakers to influence Tanzania’s political and development agenda
