Wayne Lumbasi
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has stirred a nationwide debate after appointing her daughter and son-in-law to senior positions in her newly reshuffled cabinet, raising questions about nepotism and the concentration of power within the First Family.
In the reshuffle announced on November 17, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, the president’s daughter and Member of Parliament for Makunduchi in Zanzibar, was appointed Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Technology. Her husband, Mohamed Mchengerwa, an MP for Rufiji, took office as Minister of Health, overseeing one of Tanzania’s most critical ministries. Both bring prior parliamentary and ministerial experience to their roles.
The appointments have triggered discussion across Tanzania about the implications of placing close family members in influential government positions. While both appointees hold experience, their direct family ties to the president highlight concerns about nepotism – the perception that government positions are being assigned based on personal relationships rather than purely on professional merit.
Many citizens express unease about the potential for decision-making and power to become concentrated within a small inner circle, and whether loyalty to family could overshadow broader national interests.
As Tanzania moves forward, the debate over nepotism is expected to continue, with many watching closely to see how the new cabinet operates and whether these appointments will shape the perception of the presidency and its commitment to impartial governance.
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