Arap Kirwa express worrying trends of leaders failing to hold ceremonial transitions
By Cynthia Lodite, November 10, 2025Former Agriculture Minister Arap Kirwa has expressed a worrying trend of African leaders failing to hold ceremonial transitions, linking it to failure in obtaining the positions democratically.
While speaking in an interview with a local media house on Monday, November 10, 2025, the former minister noted how the recently completed Tanzania elections were marred by protests and ended up with a military event.
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“We are seeing a worrying trend where commanders-in-chief do not hold ceremonial transitions when their positions are not obtained democratically. Instead, they resort to unorthodox military methods,” Kirwa said.
On his part, the ex-minister called on African leaders to support democracy calls in the move to transition from power peacefully.
“They must understand that the solution is not military ceremony. If Bobi Wine wins, Museveni will seize power through the military,” Kirwa noted.
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On the other hand, Kirwa expressed the worry of Kenya following suit with the happenings in Tanzania’s recently concluded elections, which saw the president sworn in at a military event restricted to leaders, with no public in attendance, but was broadcast live by state-run TBC.
“We have seen this happen in Tanzania, and Kenya could follow suit. Ruto will not concede that position peacefully, and it could lead to chaos,” Kirwa said.
Samia swearing-in Ceremony
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in for a second term at a small ceremony held at a military parade ground in Dodoma on Monday, November 3, 2025.
The event was restricted to leaders, with no public in attendance, but was broadcast live by state-run TBC and took place under tight security following an election marred by violent protests and widely rejected by the opposition as a sham.
Chief Justice George Masaju administered the oath as Suluhu pledged to serve all citizens.
Samia was declared the winner on Saturday, October 31, 2025, with 98% of the vote, facing little genuine competition after key rival candidates were either barred from running or imprisoned.
Opposition party Chadema rejected the results, saying the election “had no basis in reality” and calling for a fresh vote.
The polls were overshadowed by opposition boycotts and the barring of key candidates, including Tundu Lissu, on contested grounds. On election day, many polling stations remained largely empty, though authorities later claimed a turnout of 87%.