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Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has appointed Dk Asha-Rose Migiro as its new permanent secretary (Secretary-General), making her the first woman to hold the position since the party was founded in 1977.
The announcement was made on August 23, 2025, by Amos Makalla, outgoing Secretary for Ideology, Publicity, and Training, at CCM headquarters in Dodoma. Kenani Kihongosi will take over Makalla’s former role.
The appointments came after a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which also confirmed the final list of parliamentary and special seats candidates for the October 29, 2025 General Election.
Makalla said the party has concluded its candidate selection process and thanked the media for their cooperation, urging them to support Kihongosi in his new role.
Some prominent politicians were left out of the final candidate list despite leading in party primaries on August 4, 2025.
They include Ummy Mwalimu (Tanga Mjini), Fredrick Lowassa (Monduli), Constantine Kanyasu (Geita Mjini), and Stanislaus Mabula (Nyamagana).
The NEC also cleared 19 former Chadema MPs who joined CCM to contest parliamentary seats. Among them are Kunti Majala (Chemba), Esther Matiko (Tarime Mjini), Ester Bulaya (Bunda Mjini), Jesca Kishoa (Iramba Mashariki), and Hawa Mwaifunga (Tabora Mjini). Kishoa and Majala led the party primaries, with Bulaya, Mwaifunga, and Matiko following closely.
In Kigoma Mjini, musician Clayton Chipando, popularly known as Baba Levo, will contest on a CCM ticket, surpassing Kirumbe Ng’enda, who led in party polls. Baba Levo previously served as a councilor in Mwanga Kaskazini under ACT-Wazalendo.
Dk Migiro, born July 9, 1956, is a veteran politician and diplomat who served as UN Deputy Secretary-General (2007–2012) and UN Special Envoy on HIV/AIDS in Africa. She has held several key positions in Tanzania, including Minister for Community Development, Gender, and Children, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Kenani Kihongosi has extensive experience in CCM and public administration, having served as Executive Secretary of the Tanzania Higher Education Council (Tahliso), National Secretary-General of UVCCM, and Regional and District Commissioner in several regions.
The appointments mark a historic moment for CCM, with women now holding both the party chairpersonship and the permanent secretary position, strengthening the party’s leadership ahead of the 2025 elections.