Zitto vs Baba Levo: Kigoma Town’s high-stakes showdown

Mr Kabwe is contesting under the ACT Wazalendo Party, while Baba Levo is standing on the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) ticket.

Both candidates have launched vigorous campaigns to win over voters in the constituency.

Mr Kabwe previously served as Kigoma Town MP from 2015 to 2020, but failed to defend his seat in the 2020 General Election, losing to the CCM candidate, Mr Kilumbe Ng’enda.

He first rose to political prominence in 2005, winning the Kigoma North parliamentary seat through the opposition Chadema by defeating CCM’s Halimenshi Mayonga. He held that seat for two terms until 2015.

While in Chadema, Mr Kabwe served seven years as Deputy Secretary-General Mainland) before leaving to join ACT-Wazalendo, where he was elected Party Leader from 2015 to 2025, stepping down in line with the party’s constitution.

In Parliament, he held several positions, including Deputy Leader of the Official Opposition and Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), as well as the chair of the parliamentary standing committee, where he oversaw more than 250 state-owned companies

Baba Levo: From music to politics

Despite a 15-year career in the new-generation music scene, Baba Levo has political experience.

He served as councillor for Mwanga North Ward in Kigoma Ujiji Municipal Council from 2015 to 2020 through ACT Wazalendo, but lost to CCM’s Sharon Mashanya when he sought re-election in 2020.

He then stepped back from politics until early this year when he joined CCM.

The rivalry has drawn attention because Mr Kabwe and Baba Levo both have deep local ties. Mr Kabwe was MP while Baba Levo served as councillor, both representing ACT Wazalendo at the time.

Both were born in Mwanga North Ward, Kigoma Town, and grew up along Kisangani Road, adding a personal dimension to the political contest.

Observers note that Baba Levo enjoys strong support among youths and women, while Mr Kabwe draws backing from some youths and a segment of intellectuals.

Both have presented their policies and party manifestos, promising development projects if elected.

Baba Levo’s pledges

Baba Levo has promised that, if elected MP, he will pave local streets and upgrade evening markets, including Marungu, Noti, and Gungu markets, with pavements, lighting, new tables for traders, and free Wi-Fi.

“I will also ensure no student sits on the floor in primary and secondary schools. I will oversee contractors building Mwanga Market, water supply projects at Katubuka Dam, Kigoma Airport, and the Bangwe-Ujiji road, ensuring timely completion,” he told a recent rally, adding.

"If you elect me, I will build a new market in Kibirizi Ward after the current one floods from Lake Tanganyika. I will defend people harassed by the Immigration Department over citizenship issues and protect bajaji and bodaboda riders from harassment by security officers."

Mr Kabwe’s promises

For his part, Mr Kabwe urged voters to re-elect him to continue projects begun before 2020, pledging to ensure all stalled development projects are completed.

He also promised to promote an economy that creates youth employment across sectors, completing the Luiche River bridge and irrigation projects initiated when he last served as a lawmaker.

"During my previous term, I advocated for those harassed by the Immigration Department over citizenship.

I began turning Kigoma into a business hub and gateway for the Great Lakes by strengthening the port, Ujiji Town, water and rail transport, value-addition industries for lake products, and international trade markets. If you give me your mandate, I will complete all these projects," promised Mr Kabwe.

“I will also restore major streets, repair Kasulu roads, and rainwater drainage channels, reinstate universal health insurance through social protection, improve primary and secondary education, and support the establishment of Mchundo Technical College and Kigoma University,” he added.

The stakes

With these pledges, voter interest has intensified, heightening the rivalry between the two candidates born along Kisangani Road.

Who will emerge victorious remains uncertain, as fierce competition has generated unprecedented excitement in the constituency.

At a recent campaign rally in Kigoma Town, Baba Levo asked the CCM presidential candidate, Samia Suluhu Hassan, which of her protégés she supported in the parliamentary race.

However, President Hassan described both as her political “children,” causing some confusion since Baba Levo represents CCM while Zitto belongs to the opposition party.

This rivalry illustrates the intensity of the contest. On October 29, 2025, voters in Kigoma Town are expected to decide the constituency’s representative in Parliament from 2025 to 2030.