Samia rings changes in cabinet, creates deputy Premier post

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has on Wednesday August 30, made changes to her cabinet and created a new post of the deputy Prime Minister in a statement that was read by Chief Secretary Moses Kusiluka.

In the new changes, former Minerals Minister Dotto Mashaka Biteko has been named as the deputy Prime Minister in charge of coordination of government affairs and Minister for Energy.

Dotto Biteko becomes only the third individual to serve in that position.

He follows in the footsteps of Dr Salim Ahmed Salim who served between 1986 and 1989 and  Augustine Mrema who served the post along with the ministry of Home Affairs in the 1990s.

January Makamba on the other hand leaves the energy ministry to become minister for Foreign Affairs and East African cooperation.

Dr Stergomena Tax leaves the Foreign Affairs to return to the Ministry of Defense where she replaces Innocent Bashungwa who has been named minister of works.

This is the second time that Dr Tax serves the defense dockect under president Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Prof Makame Mbarawa who was the Minister of Works and Transport will now take over the newly formed Ministry of Transport in the new changes.

The President has also appointed Ukonga MP Jerry William Silaa as the new minister for Land, housing and human settlement, whereas Angela Jasmine Kairuki has been transferred to the Ministry of Tourism and Natural Resources.

Damas Ndumbaro who was the minister of legal and constitutional affairs has been relocated to the ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports switching dockets with Pindi Chana.

Mr Mohamed Mchengerwa has been named as minister of State in the President’s Office – Regional administration and local Government (PROLAG), switching from the tourism ministry.

Newly appointed PS’s

Prof Godius Kahyarara- PS of Transportation- He was the Regional Administrative Secretary for Geita Region.

Cyprian Luhemeja- PS at in the Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disability) before he was the deputy PS of water.

Prof Ambassador Kennedy Gastorn- PS at Foreign Affairs ministry (special for East African Cooperation Affairs).

Dr Ally Possi- PS of Transportation

Ludovick Nduhiye- PS of Works

Mwajuma Juma- Deputy PS of water

Transferred PS’s

Prof Jamal Katundu- PS from Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disability) to the ministry of water.

Dr Seif Shekalaghe- PS from ministry of health to ministry Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups switching dockets with Dr John Jingu.

The appointees will take the oaths of their respective offices on Friday September 1, 2023 at State House Zanzibar.