Yesterday, on 18th June, 2025, in Simiyu region – president Samia Suluhu Hassan said local governments, whatever taxes are collected they eat and bring very little to the Treasury. This is not news. Former president Jakaya Kikwete during his tenure (2005-2015) used to reiterate the same platitudes. In his specific words this is what he normally avers:
“…serikali za mitaa wamejaa viwavi jeshi…wanakula tu..”
This article investigates the sources of undeterred dearth of accountability and whether without meaningful election reforms it is possible to arraign embezzlement of public funds, and looting. This is my viewpoint.
What did president Samia Suluhu Hassan said in her own words?
In Bariadi, Simiyu region, President Samia complained “Halmashauri zote zijitahidi katika makusanyo ya Mapato, kwa upande wa TRA wanajitahidi sana lakini kwa Halmashauri mnakula nyingi mnaleta kidogo. Niwaombe sana mjizatiti katika makusanyo ili maendeleo yaendelee kama tulivyoyapeleka katika Miaka hii mitano”
What are the real issues?
Here’s a clear breakdown of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s statement and the context:
1. Location & Date:
Bariadi, Simiyu Region, on 18th June 2025.
2. Core Accusation:
President Samia directly accused **local government authorities (Halmashauri za Mitaa)** of misusing locally collected revenues.
3. Her Exact Words (Swahili):
> “Halmashauri zote zijitahidi katika makusanyo ya Mapato, kwa upande wa TRA wanajitahidi sana lakini kwa Halmashauri mnakula nyingi mnaleta kidogo. Niwaombe sana mjizatiti katika makusanyo ili maendeleo yaendelee kama tulivyoyapeleka katika Miaka hii mitano.”
4. Translation & Meaning:
* “All councils should strive in revenue collection. On the part of TRA (Tanzania Revenue Authority), they are trying very hard, “but with the Councils, you eat a lot and bring very little.”
* “I sincerely plead with you to be diligent in collections so that development can continue as we have pushed it in these five years.”
5. Key Points of Her Statement:
* “Mnakula nyingi” (You eat a lot):”
This is a strong, colloquial accusation of “misappropriation, embezzlement, or wasteful expenditure” of locally collected funds by the councils themselves.
* “Mnaleta kidogo” (You bring very little):
Highlights the result – a “very small portion” of the collected local revenue actually reaches the central Treasury for national development projects.
* Contrast with TRA:
She contrasts the perceived efforts of the national revenue authority (TRA) with the alleged corruption/incompetence of local councils.
* Impact on Development:
She directly links this problem to hindering the continuation of development progress witnessed over the past five years (her administration).
The Broader Context Provided by the Article:
* Not a New Problem:
This is a long-standing issue, noting that former President “Jakaya Kikwete (2005-2015)” frequently made similar accusations. Kikwete’s quoted phrase “serikali za mitaa wamejaa viwavi jeshi…wanakula tu..” whichtranslates to “Local governments are infested with worms… they just eat.” This reinforces the historical nature of the problem.
In summary:
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, during a visit to Simiyu on June 18th, 2025, bluntly accused Tanzania’s local government councils of consuming (“eating”) the majority of the taxes they collect locally, remitting only a very small fraction to the national Treasury.
She framed this as a major obstacle to continued national development and pleaded for greater diligence. This is a recurring problem spanning multiple presidencies and calls for deeper investigation into accountability failures and the potential need for electoral reforms to address systemic corruption at the local level.
Can we have an accountable government without meaningful election reforms?
The question of whether Tanzania can effectively address rampant public resource misappropriation without implementing meaningful election reforms and empowering the electorate requires a multifaceted analysis, drawing on Tanzania’s governance structure, ongoing political dynamics, and evidence from the provided sources. Below is a structured examination:
🛑 1. Systemic Link Between Electoral Flaws and Corruption.
– Civil Servants as Election Managers:
Tanzania’s current electoral laws empower civil servants (e.g., District Executive Directors) to oversee elections. These officials are presidential appointees and face conflicts of interest, as their job security depends on the ruling party (CCM). This setup enables them to manipulate elections in favour of incumbents, creating a cycle where corrupt officials face no electoral accountability.
– Lack of Transparency:
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is not legally required to publish polling station results. This opacity allows vote doctoring and protects officials engaged in embezzlement from scrutiny.
– Historical Context:
Both President Samia and her predecessor, Jakaya Kikwete, have publicly condemned local governments for “eating” taxes. Yet, corruption persists—indicating that rhetoric alone cannot overcome institutionalized flaws.
⚖️ 2. Limitations of Anti-Corruption Measures Without Reforms.
– Weak Judicial Enforcement:
Courts often issue lenient sentences or dismiss corruption cases against senior civil servants on technical grounds. Billions in stolen funds remain unrecovered, partly because prosecutors and judges face political pressure.
– Structural Inefficiencies:
Administrative bodies suffer from “unmotivated and incompetent staff, corruption, and political interference“. President Samia’s efforts to combat corruption (e.g., task forces on justice reforms) are noted, but restrictive laws from the Magufuli era remain intact, limiting progress.
– Abuse of State Resources:
As seen in Indonesia and the Philippines (analogous cases), state resources (e.g., social welfare programs, procurement contracts) are routinely misused to influence elections. Tanzania faces similar risks without institutional safeguards.
🗳️ 3. The Critical Role of Election Reforms.
– Transferring Election Oversight:
The 2024 National Stakeholders Conference resolved that local election management must shift from the executive-controlled TAMISEMI to an independent INEC. Without this, civil servants remain both “development agents and election managers”—a clear conflict.
– Constitutional Amendments:
Stakeholders emphasize that minor legal tweaks are insufficient; the 1977 Constitution must be amended to enforce INEC’s independence, mandate polling-station transparency, and include opposition voices in commissioner appointments.
– Diaspora and Prisoner Voting Rights:
The African Court case highlights Tanzania’s exclusion of marginalized voters (diaspora, prisoners), undermining electoral legitimacy. Implementing inclusive voting could broaden accountability mechanisms.
💪 4. Empowering the Electorate as a “Ballast”.
– Voter Education and Technology:
Current laws “undermine voter education,” causing public confusion. Introducing technology (e.g., real-time results portals) could enhance transparency and public oversight, reducing manipulation opportunities.
– Opposition and Civil Society Roles:
Repression of opposition figures (e.g., CHADEMA’s Tundu Lissu’s treason charges) and media stifles citizen mobilization. International bodies like the IDU stress that respecting political rights is essential for accountability.
– Grassroots Demands:
Youth and opposition groups increasingly demand reforms ahead of the 2025 elections. Ignoring these calls risks violence and eroded trust, as seen in Zanzibar’s volatile politics.
💎 Conclusion: Reforms as Non-Negotiable.
Tanzania “cannot sustainably resolve public resource misappropriation without election reforms and voter empowerment”. The fusion of electoral management with executive control creates a self-perpetuating system where corrupt officials face no consequences. While anti-corruption drives under President Samia show intent, they lack teeth without institutional overhauls. Key steps include:
1. “Amending the constitution” to ensure INEC’s autonomy and results transparency.
2. “Removing civil servants” from election oversight to dismantle conflicts of interest.
3. “Enforcing judicial independence” and inclusive voting rights to rebuild public trust.
Without these measures, Tanzania’s corruption cycle will persist, fueled by unaccountable governance and disenfranchised citizens.
Read more analysis by Rutashubanyuma Nestory
