Arusha District Commissioner Felician Mtahengerwa (in black pullover) cleaning the main market as part of World Environment Week celebrations. Photo: Courtesy.
Tanzania’s Arusha Showdown: Commissioner and MP Clash Over Street Vendor Policy Ahead of Crucial Elections
By Adonis Byemelwa
In a dramatic escalation of their ongoing dispute, Arusha Urban District Commissioner Felician Mtahengerwa issued a bold challenge to Arusha Urban MP Mrisho Gambo, declaring, “There is only one man in this district, so I don’t have time for arguments.” The confrontation unfolded today, Sunday, June 2, 2024, at the main market during a cleanup event marking World Environment Week.
Mtahengerwa dismissed claims of any hidden agenda behind his statements, attributing them to the emotions stirred by the crowd. Emphasizing Arusha’s status as a key tourist destination, he insisted that street vendors must not be allowed to display their goods on the ground, contrary to the stance taken by some local leaders.
“Arusha represents the country in terms of tourism, and thus I can’t permit street vendors to spread their wares on the streets as some leaders wish,” Mtahengerwa asserted. “This is a city with a single leader; there aren’t two. So, listen to me, your leader, and follow my directives.”
The city has allocated designated areas for street vendors, with plans to expand these zones to accommodate all traders, ending the practice of selling on the streets. “Selling on the streets from Philips to Sanawari, especially food items, is not acceptable. Even tourists who come to spend money won’t buy goods off the ground; they’ll go to the market,” he added.
Mtahengerwa emphasized the importance of maintaining environmental cleanliness as a permanent agenda, cautioning against being swayed by those who create unfounded agendas whenever they see a crowd.
Earlier, during a six-day meeting chaired by Arusha Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda on May 30, 2024, Mtahengerwa accused Gambo of hindering development projects due to conflicts with council officials and councilors. He highlighted that despite the central government allocating over TZS 7.5 billion for the 2023/2024 fiscal year, only TZS 500 million, or 6.4%, had been utilized with just a month left in the fiscal year.
Gambo, in response, dismissed the allegations, questioning his role in the purported conflicts. “A certain leader claimed that progress is stalled due to conflicts involving the MP, councilors, and experts. Now I wonder, how am I involved?” Gambo retorted, urging the Regional Commissioner to address the District Commissioner’s accountability issues instead of scapegoating him.
Gambo warned against provoking him, stressing his commitment to maintaining peace and focusing on development. He also highlighted corruption among some officials, warning that it could cost elected leaders in upcoming local and general elections.
Gambo requested that Makonda consider allowing street vendors to use certain low-traffic roads for their businesses after 6 PM. “Given the limited business areas, some roads with little use after 6 PM should be closed off to allow vendors to sell their goods,” Gambo suggested.
This controversy harks back to former President John Magufuli’s tenure, during which petty traders were permitted to operate freely along roads and streets. However, this policy often led to chaos, obstructing roadways in major cities like Dar es Salaam, Mbagala, and Mwanza’s Nyamagana district. The current tension in Arusha reflects a broader struggle to balance street vendors’ needs with urban order and tourism interests.
In a related development, the Standing Committee of Parliament on Local Government Administration recently criticized several regional and district commissioners for abusing their powers by ordering the detention of public servants for minor infractions. Former committee member Ester Mahawe highlighted instances of these abuses in the committee’s report for the 2016/17 session.
She cited an example where a regional commissioner ordered the detention of a regional doctor for failing to announce a cholera outbreak. In another instance, a district commissioner in Dar es Salaam ordered the detention of public servants for arriving late to work. Meanwhile, in Arusha, a district commissioner ordered the detention of a television journalist for writing about water shortages, which the commissioner interpreted as incitement.
Mahawe also recounted an incident where a municipal director forced a secondary school teacher to mop a classroom in front of students as punishment for its untidiness. “When a regional commissioner uses derogatory language, calling employees thieves, idiots, or madmen, it undermines human dignity and violates constitutional principles,” she stated.
Mahawe clarified that the Regional Administration Act of 1997, Chapter 97, outlines specific conditions under which regional and district commissioners can order an individual’s arrest. “These provisions stipulate that such authority should be exercised only when the offense committed warrants arrest and prosecution,” she explained.
She urged all leaders and members of parliament to adhere to existing laws, regulations, guidelines, and procedures, warning that failure to do so would mean they are not fulfilling their responsibilities as role models for those they lead.
Several MPs expressed concerns about the misuse of power by some officials. Former Kinondoni MP Maulid Mtulia (CUF) argued that government officials often misinterpret the President’s statements, leading to actions that deviate from his intentions. He cited the example of the directive to remove tires from vehicles using the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lanes in Dar es Salaam, emphasizing that the President intended for legal action to be taken, not for literal tire removal.
Former Ukonga MP Mwita Waitara (Chadema) praised the Kigamboni District Commissioner Hashim Mgandilwa for his approach following the district’s poor performance in last year’s Form Four examinations. “We should commend the Kigamboni DC for convening a meeting with the relevant department and conducting research before taking action,” Waitara said.
However, Waitara criticized the regional commissioners of Dar es Salaam and Simiyu for detaining and humiliating officials who did not comply with their demands. Muheza MP Adadi Rajab (CCM) added that the concept of authority is being mishandled by some leaders, calling for the need for better education on the proper use of power.
The parliamentary session highlighted a growing concern over the misuse of authority by some regional and district commissioners, calling for stricter adherence to legal frameworks to ensure the fair and respectful treatment of public servants. As tensions rise between DC Mtahengerwa and MP Gambo, the way forward remains uncertain, with civic elections looming in early October 2024 and general elections in 2025. Both leaders must navigate this contentious landscape carefully, as their actions will undoubtedly shape their political futures and the fate of Arusha’s development.
