Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has given the government one month to come up with a new system for buying cotton, responding to farmers' complaints over the current arrangement and its impact on their earnings.
Dr Mwigulu directed the Minister for Agriculture to consult cotton farmers and other stakeholders and submit recommendations for a system that would give farmers better returns while protecting production and the wider cotton industry.
He issued the directive on Monday, September 14, 2026, during a meeting with residents of Itilima District after the area's MP, Mr Njalu Daudi Silanga, raised concerns facing cotton farmers, including dissatisfaction with the existing buying system.
“From today, September 14, until October 14, I should have received a report on a good procedure that we will agree on,” Dr Mwigulu said.
He said the government would compare the current system with arrangements previously used to determine which model would better serve farmers without undermining cotton production, prices or household incomes.
The review could have a direct bearing on farmers' earnings, particularly in Simiyu, where cotton is an important source of income for many households.
Dr Mwigulu also announced changes affecting livestock keepers, saying the government had removed a law that allowed authorities to confiscate citizens' livestock.
He directed the relevant authorities to review other laws and regulations governing livestock and ordered compensation for citizens whose animals had been confiscated but who later won their cases in court.
The Prime Minister also cautioned authorities against confiscating bodabodas, bajajis, bicycles, carts and other property used by citizens to earn a living when enforcing fines.
He said authorities should issue fines in accordance with the law instead of taking away the means of livelihood of people who depend on such assets.
The government is also examining rising cement prices after the cost of a bag reached as high as Sh27,000, Sh30,000 and Sh32,000 in some areas.
Dr Mwigulu said experts had been given one week to prepare a strategic plan to address the situation.
The intervention comes amid concerns that high construction costs can increase the cost of housing and other building projects for households and businesses.
Dr Mwigulu also ordered health facilities to stop asking patients to pay for fuel when they need ambulance services for referrals.
“From now on, a patient should not be asked for money to fuel an ambulance. Once you have written that the patient needs a referral, fulfil it and take them there quickly,” he said.
The directive seeks to remove an additional financial burden for patients who require treatment at facilities with specialised services.
Dr Mwigulu said the government had allocated more than Sh1.4 trillion to Simiyu during the Sixth Phase administration for projects in electricity, roads, water, education and health.
Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Hamad Chande said the government was addressing challenges arising from human-wildlife conflicts, including compensation for residents who qualify for payments after being affected by wildlife.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Office–Regional Administration and Local Government, Dr Festo John Dugange, said the government was aware of shortages of health and education workers in Itilima.
He said the district had received 51 health workers and 135 teachers during the first 100 days of the Sixth Phase government.
Dr Dugange added that Itilima would be given priority in future recruitment permits for health, education and other cadres.
Mr Silanga said Itilima had continued to receive investment in education, health, water, roads and electricity, but urged the government to address challenges that remain in the district.