Joseph Isangura
The Deputy Mayor of Dar es Salaam and Councillor for Kinyerezi Ward, John Ryoba Mrema, has officially launched a wide-ranging local development drive aimed at transforming internal infrastructure and improving daily life for thousands of residents in the rapidly growing ward.
The initiative, dubbed Operation Fungua Mitaa, was unveiled on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, during a briefing with journalists at the office of the Kinyerezi Ward Executive Officer in Ilala Municipality. The campaign focuses on opening, rehabilitating and improving neighbourhood roads, addressing water-related challenges linked to infrastructure works, and strengthening waste management systems.
Mrema said the operation represents the practical fulfilment of commitments he made to voters during the campaign leading up to the October 29, 2025 General Election. Having been sworn into office and formally handed leadership responsibilities, he noted that it was time to move decisively from promises to visible action.
At the centre of the campaign is the rehabilitation of roads that have long been damaged by heavy rains or rendered completely impassable. Mrema announced that road works had begun immediately, with heavy machinery deployed across all neighbourhoods of Kinyerezi to level surfaces, spread gravel and restore access to residential areas.
He said poor road conditions had for years caused serious hardship for residents, particularly during medical emergencies. Of special concern, he explained, was the difficulty faced by expectant mothers trying to reach health facilities during labour due to impassable roads and unreliable transport.
“That suffering must come to an end,” Mrema said, adding that his goal is to ensure every resident can be reached by transport from the main road to their home without unnecessary obstacles. He stressed that access to health services, markets and schools begins with functional local roads.
Mrema acknowledged that road rehabilitation can sometimes disrupt essential services, especially water supply, due to damage to underground pipelines. He therefore called on residents to cooperate closely with service providers, assuring them that any water pipes affected during construction would be repaired promptly to avoid prolonged shortages. He said coordination with relevant authorities was already in place to ensure continuity of services as work progresses.
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In addition to road repairs, the Deputy Mayor addressed the challenge of solid waste management, which remains a concern in fast-growing urban settlements. He said arrangements had been made with responsible authorities to introduce a weekly waste collection schedule across all neighbourhoods of Kinyerezi, a move aimed at reducing health risks associated with poor sanitation.
Kinyerezi Ward is home to more than 60,000 residents spread across six neighbourhoods and over 100 grassroots party branches. In the 2025 elections, voters entrusted Mrema with leadership as their councillor, later elevating him to the position of Deputy Mayor of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s commercial capital.
Local leaders have welcomed the launch of Operation Fungua Mitaa. Hamad Mpanye, a grassroots party representative in the ward, said the initiative would significantly ease daily challenges faced by residents and accelerate development at the community level. He described the campaign as timely and responsive to long-standing needs.
Athuman Abbas Mwakibuga, chairman of elders in Kinyerezi, praised Mrema’s leadership approach, saying it reflects a commitment to action rather than rhetoric. He described the campaign as historic for the ward, noting that it followed strategic consultations and demonstrated seriousness in local governance.
Residents have also expressed optimism, often describing Mrema as a young, visionary leader with a strong connection to community concerns. In his remarks, Mrema expressed gratitude to President Samia Suluhu Hassan for what he called visionary national leadership that prioritises citizens’ welfare and inclusive development.
Urban development experts note that as cities expand across Tanzania, ward-level initiatives such as Operation Fungua Mitaa play a critical role in improving service delivery, stimulating local economies and enhancing social well-being. Improved neighbourhood roads, they argue, are essential to strengthening access to healthcare, education and economic opportunities.
As implementation continues, residents and observers alike will be watching closely to see how effectively the campaign delivers on its goals. For many in Kinyerezi, however, the sight of road machinery at work already signals a meaningful step toward improved living standards and more accountable grassroots leadership, reinforcing the importance of local governance within the broader framework of local government development.
