Maasai community leaders in Arusha have taken a bold step to ensure youth participation in Tanzania’s upcoming general election by postponing a planned circumcision ceremony for over 2,000 young Maasai.
The ceremony, originally scheduled for October 21–30, 2025, has been moved so that youth can exercise their constitutional right to vote on October 29. Laigwanani Chief of the Maasai community, Mr. Isack Ole Kisongo Meijo, said the decision reflects the community’s commitment to democracy and national development.
“This is a sacred day for Tanzania. Voting is our duty, and by rescheduling the ceremony, we ensure that no young person misses the chance to cast their vote,” Ole Kisongo told Arusha Regional Commissioner CPA Amos Gabriel Makalla during a meeting at the Regional Maigwanani Council on October 17.
RC Makalla praised the Maasai leaders and their community for promoting peace and civic responsibility.
He urged them to continue serving as role models, encouraging others to vote and safeguard harmony during the election.
Authorities reassured the public that security forces are fully prepared to maintain peace before, during, and after the election, allowing citizens to vote safely and return home without disruption.
By adjusting cultural practices to accommodate voting, the Maasai community is setting a powerful example of putting national interests and civic duty above tradition, demonstrating how communities can actively contribute to Tanzania’s democratic process.