DODOMA, Tanzania – Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has sparked renewed debate on political family influence after appointing her daughter and son-in-law to senior government positions in a major Cabinet shake-up.
In a televised address from Chamwino State House in Dodoma on Monday, President Samia unveiled a new team of 27 ministers and 29 deputy ministers, a reshuffle that removed seven senior officials from the previous Cabinet.
Among the new appointees is Wanu Hafidh Ameir, the President’s daughter, who was named Deputy Minister for Education. Wanu, 43, is the MP for Makunduchi Constituency in Zanzibar.
Her husband, Mohamed Mchengerwa, was appointed Minister for Health, becoming one of the most prominent beneficiaries of the reshuffle. Mchengerwa, 46, also serves as the MP for Rufiji in Tanzania’s Pwani Region.
President Samia also tapped Ridhwani Kikwete, son of former president Jakaya Kikwete, as Minister for Public Service Management and Good Governance in the President’s Office. The 46-year-old CCM legislator represents Chalinze Constituency.
Jakaya Kikwete, who led Tanzania from 2005 to 2015, is widely seen as a key political ally who played a pivotal role in Samia’s ascent within the ruling CCM party.
Other notable appointments include Khamis Mussa Omar as the new Minister for Finance, replacing Mwigulu Nchemba who became Prime Minister last week.
Mahmoud Thabit Kombo was retained as Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation.
The new Cabinet is set to be sworn in on Tuesday morning.
Part of a continental trend
President Samia’s latest appointments add to a growing pattern across Africa where leaders entrust close relatives or children of political allies with powerful state roles.
In Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni’s government includes several family members, among them First Lady Janet Museveni as Education Minister and son General Muhoozi Kainerugaba as head of defence forces.
Museveni’s son-in-law, Odrek Rwabogo, and brother, General Salim Saleh, also hold influential advisory roles.
In Rwanda, President Paul Kagame recently dismissed claims that he is grooming his daughter, Ange Ingabire Kagame, for political succession following her appointment as Deputy Executive Director in the Office of the President.
Kagame emphasized that no member of his family is entitled to special treatment.
In South Sudan, President Salva Kiir appointed his eldest daughter, Adut Salva Kiir, as Senior Presidential Envoy for Special Programmes last year — a move analysts say signals efforts to entrench a political dynasty.
Elsewhere on the continent, Equatorial Guinea’s Vice President Teodoro “Teodorin” Nguema Obiang Mangue, son of long-serving President Teodoro Obiang, has been his father’s deputy since 2016.
Even beyond Africa, political family appointments are not unusual. In the United States, President Donald Trump placed his daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner in senior advisory roles during his first term. Several of their relatives also hold key diplomatic and advisory positions.
Samia’s new Cabinet, however, is expected to face scrutiny over governance and meritocracy as Tanzania navigates economic pressure and increasing calls for institutional reform.
