The Farmers’ Party of Tanzania (AAFP) has entered the election campaign trail with promises of bold reforms, including cutting Dar es Salaam’s bus rapid transit (BRT) fares to Sh500, free healthcare, and free school meals for children.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Tuangoma Ward, AAFP’s parliamentary candidate for Mbagala constituency, Ndonge Said Ndonge, told residents that his party offers a genuine alternative to the dominant political forces.
He cautioned voters against what he termed as “repeating past mistakes” of electing leaders who fail to remain accountable once in office.
“The AAFP is not a party for empty promises. If you give us your trust on October 29, I will fight to ensure BRT fares are capped at Sh500. We will also make healthcare services free of charge and ensure schoolchildren receive free meals,” Mr. Ndonge said.
His message was echoed by the party’s Tuangoma councilor candidate, Ms. Rehema Abdallah Chitumba, who pledged to focus on women, youth, and people with disabilities.
She promised to strengthen access to credit at the household level, improve local infrastructure, and reduce the burden of school contributions on parents.
“If elected, I will prioritize women, youth, and persons with disabilities by ensuring timely access to loans. We will also address poor road conditions in Tuangoma and ensure children are not overburdened with school contributions,” she said.
While AAFP is a relatively small political party compared to dominant players such as CCM, ACT-Wazalendo, and Chadema, its campaign in Mbagala highlights the competitive nature of urban constituencies where the cost of living and access to services remain key voter concerns.
The promises of lower transport fares, free health services, and household-level empowerment reflect AAFP’s attempt to position itself as a party that directly tackles bread-and-butter issues affecting ordinary Tanzanians.
Whether such pledges resonate with voters and how feasible they may be given Tanzania’s budgetary constraints will be tested at the ballot box.