Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has read the riot act to government officials in Kilimanjaro, declaring the era of embezzling development funds officially over.

Addressing a tense gathering of residents and local leaders in Same District, the Premier unleashed a scathing critique of bureaucratic theft and inefficiency. His warning was blunt: it is "unacceptable" for officials to sit on funds meant for public projects while citizens suffer. The Prime Minister’s tour is not just a routine inspection; it is a crackdown. He emphasized that President Samia Suluhu Hassan has worked tirelessly to secure international and domestic funding, and sabotaging these efforts constitutes an act of betrayal against the state.

The TARURA Scandal

Nchemba zoomed in on a specific area of rot: the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA). He directed the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Reuben Kwagilwa, to launch an immediate investigation into allegations that TARURA officials are awarding road contracts to their own private companies. "You cannot be the referee and the player," Nchemba thundered, pointing out that such conflicts of interest are the primary cause of shoddy roadworks and stalled infrastructure.

• Follow the Money: The PM demanded transparency in how funds are deployed. Delays in project implementation will now be treated as a disciplinary offense.
• Land Harmony: Touching on the volatile issue of land, Nchemba instructed village authorities to ensure proper land-use plans are in place to prevent farmer-herder conflicts, which threaten the region's economic stability.
• Infrastructure Push: The PM inspected the 36km Ndungu–Mkomazi tarmac road, citing it as an example of what can be achieved when funds are used correctly.

A New Standard of Accountability

The Prime Minister's rhetoric signals a tightening of the screws from the central government. With the 2026 budget focused on infrastructure and social services, the administration is evidently terrified that corruption will dilute the impact of its flagship projects. Nchemba’s message to the officials in Same was clear: deliver the projects, or face the consequences.

"The President secures the funds. Your job is to use them. If you cannot, step aside," Nchemba concluded, leaving the local leadership with plenty to think about.