By Adonis Byemelwa
Tensions are rising in Arusha after a sharp exchange between the Arusha Regional Commissioner (RC) Paul Makonda and Arusha Urban MP Mrisho Gambo.
On 6th January, Makonda publicly accused Gambo of neglecting his duties and failing to attend crucial meetings, stirring up a media storm that saw headlines portraying Gambo as the underdog.
In response, Gambo has demanded clarity on Makonda's claims, calling them unfounded and politically charged.
The drama has intensified, as it is increasingly believed that Makonda's public attacks are motivated by a desire to secure the Arusha Urban seat for himself.
Known for his flashy approach to leadership and his ability to rally support through grand gestures, including attending local festivals like the Churchill and Land Rover events, Makonda’s strategy has often centered around gaining attention and building a strong fanbase.
Critics argue that his popularity stunts are less about effective governance and more about establishing a personal brand in the tourist city.
Gambo, on the other hand, stands firm in his leadership, questioning Makonda’s credibility and asserting that such personal attacks only serve to distract from the real issues. With his direct connection to the people of Arusha, Gambo is positioning himself as the genuine representative of the electorate, in contrast to the RC’s showy tactics.
Speaking to Wasafi FM today 7th January 2025, the outspoken MP argued that as a legislator, his primary responsibility is to represent Arusha Urban constituents in Parliament and that Makonda's allegations reflect a misunderstanding of roles.
"I am not a ward executive or street-level leader. I am a Member of Parliament representing the people of Arusha Urban in the National Assembly. Makonda should clarify what he means when he accuses me of skipping meetings. Does he attend Parliament? If not, how does he speak for me without a proper understanding of my duties?" Gambo questioned.
The controversy began during a visit by Minister of Works Abdallah Ulega to inspect the Sh23 billion road project from Mianzini to Tumbolo. Makonda took the opportunity to criticize Gambo for airing concerns about road infrastructure publicly rather than addressing them in meetings.
"We already have the government’s commitment to build the road. If Gambo has concerns, he should raise them in meetings, not ambush leaders in public. Leaders must show discipline by attending official sessions," Makonda said to cheers from the crowd.
However, Gambo countered that his obligations extend beyond attending regional meetings, as he has responsibilities in Parliament, within his party, and to his constituents.
Dr. Elfuraha Laltaika, a legal scholar at Tumaini University Makumira, has long criticized the existence of regional and district commissioners (RCs and DCs) in Tanzania, arguing that their roles lack accountability and impede development.
Dr. Laltaika’s position resonates with governance structures in Kenya and Nigeria, where governors elected directly by the people wield executive powers, fostering greater accountability.
In Kenya, governors oversee county governments with clear mandates over infrastructure, education, and healthcare. Elected by citizens, they operate within a constitutionally defined framework, answerable to the electorate and the Senate.
Nigeria’s governors similarly hold executive authority in their states, commanding budgets, enacting policies, and ensuring development while being accountable to state legislatures and the public.
By contrast, RCs and DCs in Tanzania are presidential appointees, with roles often criticized as redundant. Dr. Laltaika highlights that these appointees serve the president rather than the people, undermining democracy and fostering inefficiency.
“The president appoints these officials, yet they do not answer to the electorate. Their primary allegiance is to the appointing authority, creating a governance gap that stifles development,” Laltaika noted.
The tension between elected leaders like MPs and appointed officials like RCs reflects broader systemic challenges.
While RCs claim to oversee regional development, their authority often overlaps with that of directors of municipal councils, who handle budgets and implement projects. This creates friction, with appointees occasionally undermining efforts by elected leaders.
Gambo illustrated this tension by citing the stalled Arusha-Kibaya-Kongwa road project, which remains unbuilt despite a contract signed in 2022.
“This project—27 kilometers, including four lanes from Mbauda to the new bus terminal—has not progressed. My role is to demand answers from the minister responsible, not the RC, who lacks the mandate to resolve such issues,” Gambo said.
The debate has reignited calls to abolish RCs and DCs altogether. Critics argue that Tanzania’s governance structure is outdated, with appointees often perceived as obstacles to progress. RCs and DCs have been accused of prioritizing political loyalty over development, with some engaging in personal business dealings or leveraging their positions for personal gain.
“Why should the country retain positions that do not add value?” questioned Laltaika. “Kenya and Nigeria have shown us that decentralizing power to elected governors enhances accountability and development. It is high time Tanzania considered similar reforms.”
Indeed, RCs’ and DCs’ roles often appear ceremonial, with minimal direct influence over budgetary matters. Municipal and district directors, as accounting officers, bear the responsibility for financial decisions and project implementation. Yet RCs’ public rhetoric frequently overshadows these technical roles, leading to blurred lines of accountability.
The financial implications of maintaining RCs and DCs also come under scrutiny. With Tanzania’s expanding administrative units—new regions and districts created each term—the cost of governance has ballooned. Critics argue that these resources could be redirected to essential services like education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
The feud between Gambo and Makonda has brought into sharp focus the enduring tension between elected representatives and presidential appointees, a clash that many say underscores fundamental flaws in Tanzania’s governance structure.
While Members of Parliament like Gambo answer directly to their constituents, Regional Commissioners (RCs) and District Commissioners (DCs) often wield power with a top-down approach that alienates local communities.
RCs have long faced criticism for overstepping their bounds, with political analyst Jenerali Ulimwengu describing them as relics of colonial-era governance. “These appointees operate with unchecked authority, undermining the people’s democratic will,” Ulimwengu noted. Former Good Governance Minister George Mkuchika also raised concerns about RCs’ arbitrary detentions, which erode public trust.
Gambo’s public bashing by Makonda raises questions about the influence of unelected officials over elected leaders. Such accusations from Makonda could damage Gambo’s credibility, making him appear powerless in the face of unaccountable appointees.
Ironically, Gambo himself displayed similar behavior when he was Arusha RC, dismissing MP Godbless Lema as “insignificant” during the fallout of the 2021 Lucky Vincent school van tragedy. Lema had accused Gambo of misappropriating condolence funds, further highlighting the systemic issues at play.
This ongoing clash reflects the deep structural flaws in Tanzania’s governance system, where appointees often hold more power than elected leaders.
Political analysts and civil society groups are calling for constitutional reforms that prioritize elected leadership at regional and district levels, phasing out RC and DC positions.
As Gambo and Makonda’s rivalry intensifies, it poses a crucial question: Will Tanzania embrace reforms that empower its electorate, or will the status quo persist, hindering democratic progress? The outcome could reshape the future of Tanzanian governance.
Will Makonda’s razzmatazz and high-profile antics be enough to sway voters, or will Gambo’s grounded leadership and focus on the people’s needs prevail? This ongoing clash could have far-reaching consequences, shaping the future of Arusha’s governance and potentially influencing wider political dynamics across the region.
The broader question remains: will Tanzania’s leaders heed the growing demand for governance reforms that empower the electorate, or will they continue to cling to a status quo that stifles progress? The outcome will determine whether the nation moves forward with democratic governance—or remains mired in outdated systems that fail to serve its citizens.
