By Business Insider Reporter, Dodoma
Tanzania’s political arena has been shaken following the sudden death of former Speaker of Parliament and veteran CCM politician, Job Yustino Ndugai, who passed away in Dodoma on Tuesday, August 6, 2025, at the age of 62.
His death comes just two days after securing a major political comeback by winning the ruling party’s primaries for the Kongwa Constituency, raising questions about its impact on both local and national political dynamics.
Ndigai’s death announcement was made in an official statement by the current Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Tulia Ackson, who expressed deep sorrow over the loss, describing Ndugai as “a distinguished leader, a seasoned parliamentarian and a devoted public servant.”
Funeral arrangements are underway in collaboration with his family. The cause of death remains undisclosed.
Political career and death timing
Ndugai’s death at such a politically strategic moment has significant implications. Having stepped down from the Speakership in 2022 under controversial circumstances – after publicly criticising the government’s borrowing – his re-emergence in CCM’s internal politics suggested a potential rehabilitation within the party’s power structure.
Winning the CCM primaries on August 4 for Kongwa parliamentary seat signalled a clear intention to reclaim influence in Parliament and possibly within the party’s top ranks.
His candidacy was seen as part of a broader realignment ahead of the 2025 General Elections. His abrupt death now leaves a vacuum that could trigger internal competition within CCM in Kongwa and stir factional recalibrations nationally.
A pillar of Parliamentary history
Ndugai began his political journey in 2000, winning the Kongwa parliamentary seat on a CCM ticket.
He steadily climbed the legislative ladder, serving as Presiding Officer (2005–2010), Deputy Speaker (2010–2015), and eventually Speaker of Parliament (2015–2022).
His tenure was marked by a strong pro-government stance, especially during the presidency of the late John Magufuli. Yet, in his later years as Speaker, Ndugai grew more vocal on matters of fiscal transparency – ultimately culminating in his surprise resignation in January 2022, which some viewed as politically motivated or a result of internal pressure.
Despite stepping down, Ndugai remained active in both local politics and within CCM’s structures, including serving on the Central Committee (2016–2022) and National Executive Council (NEC) until his death.
Legacy and future implications
Ndugai’s death brings to an end a political career that straddled Tanzania’s most pivotal moments of parliamentary evolution and executive-legislature relations.
His passing is likely to alter succession plans within Kongwa and shift power balances within CCM, especially as the party prepares for a potentially competitive general election.
While he was known for his loyalty to the ruling party, Ndugai also embodied the internal tensions within CCM – between progressive reformists and status quo conservatives. His absence may embolden younger or more assertive politicians seeking to redefine the party’s direction post-2025.
From Wildlife Officer to National Statesman
Born on January 22, 1963, Ndugai’s academic and professional background was rooted in environmental science and wildlife management.
He began his career as a wildlife officer in the Selous Game Reserve and the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI) before transitioning into politics.
He earned his diploma from the College of African Wildlife Management in Mweka (1986), a BSc from the University of Dar es Salaam (1993) and a Master’s from the Agricultural University of Norway (1996).
He is survived by his wife, children, and extended family. Ndugai’s death marks not only the end of an era for Kongwa but also signals a moment of reckoning for CCM as it navigates internal succession politics and a changing national political landscape.
