Parliament has unanimously approved the appointment of Deogratius John Pancras Ndejembi as Tanzania’s Vice President, with all 324 lawmakers who voted backing his nomination.
The approval on Friday, August 28, 2026, followed President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s nomination of Mr Ndejembi to the country’s second-highest constitutional office.
The vote gives Mr Ndejembi a fresh mandate to take on the responsibilities of Vice President, a position that requires close coordination with the President on matters relating to the Union and other duties assigned under the Constitution.
Speaking shortly after his approval, Mr Ndejembi thanked President Samia for the confidence she had shown in him by appointing him to the position and entrusting him with various responsibilities during his public service career.
He also thanked MPs for unanimously endorsing his appointment.
Presenting the motion for parliamentary approval, Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba said Mr Ndejembi had the experience and capacity required to serve as Vice President and provide effective support to President Samia.
Dr Nchemba said the office demands an individual with extensive leadership experience, a broad understanding of government operations, sound judgement and the ability to work closely with the President in addressing national issues.
“The responsibilities require a person with leadership experience, a broad understanding of government activities, the ability to work closely with the President, wisdom in handling national issues, as well as the capacity to coordinate and follow up on the implementation of various government responsibilities,” Dr Nchemba said.
He said President Samia had considered Mr Ndejembi’s political and government experience when making the appointment.
“Mr Deogratius John Pancras Ndejembi is not new to public leadership or the politics of our country,” Dr Nchemba told Parliament.
Before entering Parliament, Mr Ndejembi served as District Commissioner for Kongwa. After becoming an MP, he was appointed to several government positions, rising through the ranks of the executive.
His previous positions include Deputy Minister in the President’s Office responsible for Public Service Management and Good Governance; Deputy Minister in the President’s Office responsible for Regional Administration and Local Government; Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disabilities; and Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development.
Before his appointment as Vice President, Mr Ndejembi served as Minister for Energy.
Dr Nchemba said the range of portfolios Mr Ndejembi had handled demonstrated his ability to work across sectors with different responsibilities and challenges.
He said the experience would be valuable in his new role, particularly given the Vice President’s constitutional responsibility to assist the President in Union matters and undertake other duties assigned by the President.
“Considering the constitutional responsibilities of the Vice President, together with Mr Ndejembi’s political, administrative and executive experience, the Government is confident that he has the ability to discharge the responsibilities of the office faithfully and effectively,” Dr Nchemba said.
He described Mr Ndejembi as the right person to assist President Samia in coordinating government affairs and advancing the country’s development agenda.
The unanimous vote places Mr Ndejembi at the centre of Tanzania’s executive leadership after a steady rise through political and government positions.