MWE Correspondent
What was supposed to be a smooth official tour took an unexpected detour in Pwani Region, Tanzania, when a police vehicle in the convoy of the Deputy Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Marryprisca Mahundi, got stuck in thick mud along a poorly maintained rural road.
The incident occurred in Kimala Misale village, located in Kibaha District, as the Deputy Minister and her team made their way to assess local infrastructure and oversee ongoing communication development programs. Heavy rains had left the red-earth roads waterlogged and slippery—conditions typical during Tanzania’s long rainy season.
Eyewitnesses said the police escort vehicle slid into a muddy ditch, forcing the convoy to halt. Local residents, including farmers and boda boda (motorcycle taxi) riders, rallied to help. Using ropes, wooden planks, and sheer strength, they managed to free the vehicle after more than half an hour.
“It’s not unusual here. We’re used to pushing vehicles out every week during the rains,” said Ezekiel Mussa, a farmer in the area. “But it’s different when it happens to government leaders. Maybe now they’ll fix our roads.”
The road trouble brings attention to a widespread problem in rural Tanzania—decades-old roads, built without proper drainage systems, crumble easily under heavy rains. According to the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA), thousands of kilometers of rural roads are in critical need of rehabilitation.
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This year, the situation has been aggravated by El Niño, a global weather pattern known for triggering excessive rainfall. Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa recently confirmed that over 200,000 people across the country have been affected by flooding and infrastructure damage (source).
Road maintenance and flood response are currently a national priority. The Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) and TARURA have been instructed to deploy emergency teams in the most affected areas. Minister of State Mohamed Mchengerwa has called on all regional authorities to urgently coordinate repairs (news report).
Deputy Minister Mahundi, speaking to villagers after the vehicle was freed, acknowledged the community’s struggles. “This isn’t just a temporary inconvenience. It’s a real challenge for health, education, and even food supply,” she said. “I’ve seen it with my own eyes, and I’ll make sure your voices are heard in Dodoma.”
