Africa-Press – Tanzania. CAMPAIGNS for the 2025 General Election officially kicked off on 28th October, with political parties rolling out their vote-hunting marathons in different styles and strategies.
Each party has tabled a wide range of pledges and promises. It is now up to voters to carefully weigh which commitments are realistic, which are impractical and which political group truly demonstrates the will to transform the lives of Tanzanians while building the nation that the majority aspire to.
The ruling CCM launched its campaign at Tanganyika Packers’ grounds in Kinondoni District, Dar es Salaam. Unlike its rivals, CCM entres the race with the ‘political capital’ of showcasing tangible achievements from its 2020–2025 election manifesto.
Another advantage for CCM lies in its pool of seasoned leaders with rich experience at both national and international levels. Veteran figures ncluding former President Jakaya Kikwete and former Prime Ministers John Malecela, Mizengo Pinda and Frederick Sumaye— have been deployed to rally support for party candidates.
Political strategists, such as former Secretary General Dr Bashiru Ally, are also engaged in the campaign. The party has further established 11 campaign zones across the country, each under the stewardship of strategists tasked with mobilising votes.
CCM is also banking on the strength of its mass organisations—the youth, women’s and elders’ wings which together form a formidable base in the ongoing campaigns. Since the launch, these groups have demonstrated courage and energy, adopting varied strategies to boost the party’s chances in the October polls.
The party is additionally highlighting its track record in delivering on the 2020–2025 manifesto, coupled with the adoption of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s “4Rs” philosophy: Reconciliation, Resilience, Reform and Rebuilding. CCM argues that this approach has ushered in significant positive changes nationwide.
To further strengthen its case, CCM has fielded experienced candidates, most with long-standing leadership records, which it says provides them with an edge over competitors.
Endorsing President Samia as CCM’s flag bearer, former Chairman and President Jakaya Kikwete described her as the best choice for Tanzanians. He praised her as courageous, hardworking, tolerant and forgiving—qualities he insisted define good leadership.
“This is someone who has been part of government systems for a long time. She has already guided this country for four years. We are not testing her. We trust and believe in her leadership and therefore we must give her our votes for a brighter Tanzania,” Dr Kikwete said.
He commended President Samia for spearheading major development projects across sectors and advancing the country’s Vision 2050 national development blueprint.
Responding to criticism regarding her endorsement, Dr Kikwete clarified that CCM followed long-established procedures that have been in place since the advent of multiparty democracy.
“Some people claimed there were irregularities in the process. But I say they either don’t understand our traditions, have forgotten them, or are simply pretending not to know. Since multiparty politics began, CCM has always endorsed an incumbent president seeking a second term unopposed,” he explained.
On the campaign trail, CCM candidates have emphasised achievements delivered under the current manifesto. Tangible projects across water, electricity, healthcare and infrastructure have drawn crowds eager to hear what the ruling party is pledging for the next five years.
In the water sector, significant improvements have been recorded in areas that once faced acute shortages. In Morogoro, for example, residents testified that access to clean and safe water has expanded, even in rural areas.
Ms Monica Sarufu, a resident of Kanga Village in Mvomero District, said: “The situation was dire in the past, but things have improved dramatically in the past four years after the government implemented several projects.”
Similar stories emerged from Kongwa, Kondoa and Chemba districts in Dodoma Region, where residents acknowledged major progress. In Kondoa Rural, CCM parliamentary candidate Dr Ashatu Kijaji recalled that in 2020 the constituency had only two water wells, with just one operating.
“Today, we have 154 operational wells, supported by projects such as the 5.7bn/- Ikasi Water Project, the 1.16bn/- Sani Project, and the 800m/- Mbaula Project. As a result, access to clean water has risen from a mere 0.2 per cent to 89 per cent in just four years,” she said.
Beyond water, improvements in healthcare and electricity supply have also been widely acknowledged. Residents in Morogoro Region expressed gratitude to the government for resolving decadeslong conflicts between farmers and pastoralists—disputes that had previously triggered deaths, poverty and recurring violence.
CCM parliamentary candidate for Mvomero, Ms Sara Msafiri, credited President Samia’s leadership and the application of the 4Rs philosophy. “We had reached the point of digging trenches to separate farmers from livestock keepers, but today we live together in harmony,” she said.
Healthcare delivery has also been expanded. In Kondoa, Dr Kijaji said the number of health centres had grown from two to six, with a seventh under construction. She noted that 3.5bn/- had been invested in a modern district hospital, while infrastructure development projects have brought new bridges and roads to areas such as Kisese, Mbaula, Ului and Masange.
Electricity connections have equally transformed communities. Dr Kijaji observed that in 2020, none of the 84 villages and 300 hamlets in Kondoa had electricity. Today, all 84 villages and 221 hamlets are electrified.
On the strength of these achievements, many voters have expressed confidence that, if re-elected, CCM will complete ongoing projects while launching new ones outlined in its 2025–2030 manifesto.
While campaigning in Morogoro and Dodoma, President Samia assured Tanzanians that “a new Tanzania is coming.” She pledged to prioritise full implementation of the manifesto, promising to expand industrial clusters along the electrified Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) corridor, enhance agriculture by providing farmers with affordable tractors and power tillers, strengthen the Building a Better Tomorrow (BBT) initiative, modernise livestock farming, and construct modern markets for entrepreneurs.
However, all campaign promises whether from CCM or its rivals will face their true test on 29th October, when Tanzanians cast their votes to decide who will lead the country for the next five years.
It will be the people’s moment to weigh the pledges of 17 presidential candidates alongside contenders for parliamentary and councillorship seats
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