MWE Correspondent
On a warm evening in Mtamba Ward, Morogoro South, presidential candidate Kunje Ngombale Mwiru stood before a crowd of farmers, traders, and young people, promising a future where their struggles would no longer be ignored.
Representing the Alliance for African Farmers Party (AAFP), Mwiru placed agriculture and infrastructure at the centre of his vision for national renewal ahead of Tanzania’s upcoming general election scheduled for October 29.
In his speech, Mwiru vowed to transform farming into a modern, profit-driven sector while improving rural roads so crops could reach markets without being lost along the way. For communities like Matombo—where agriculture is a lifeline—his words struck a familiar chord.
“Agriculture sustains the majority of our people, yet farmers continue to face poor prices and bad roads,” Mwiru told the cheering crowd. “If given the mandate, we shall not only reform the sector but also improve the quality of life for all Tanzanians.”
The pledge comes at a time when agriculture remains the backbone of Tanzania’s economy, employing over 65 percent of the population. Yet many farmers still depend on traditional tools, face unreliable markets, and struggle to transport their produce due to poor infrastructure. In areas like Morogoro, where crops such as maize, rice, and sugarcane are vital, the lack of reliable roads often means harvests spoil before reaching buyers.
Mwiru also used the rally to make a bold promise on governance. Declaring zero tolerance for corruption, he told residents that embezzlers would face severe consequences under his leadership.
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The metaphor he used—establishing a “crocodile pond for embezzlers”—sparked laughter but carried a serious undertone, highlighting deep frustrations with corruption in Tanzania.
Beyond farming and roads, he touched on the untapped wealth beneath Matombo’s soil. The area is known for its ruby deposits, yet local communities benefit little from the mining activities. Mwiru pledged to redirect natural resource revenues toward schools, clinics, and local development.
Standing beside him, his running mate Chumu Juma Abdallah called for peaceful participation in the election, praising the respectful atmosphere of the rally. She reminded residents that political competition should be about ideas, not conflict.
The party’s 2025–2030 manifesto—dubbed the “Tanzania Economic Telescope”—outlines broader ambitions, including overhauling the constitution within three years, boosting small-scale mining, strengthening governance, and upgrading infrastructure across the country.
