By Adeladius Makwega – Mbagala
Early on April 13, 2026, the Acting Regional Administrative Secretary of Mara Region, Mr. Humphrey Florence Kong’oke, spoke to Heads of Departments, Units, and Sections, emphasizing the proper use of public assets—especially vehicles and fuel—in line with the current rise in fuel prices.
“At all times, public servants must be careful to use fuel and vehicles properly so that we can reach the people of Mara wherever they are within our region.”
Indeed, in Tanzania as of April 2026, the main topic on everyone’s lips is fuel, fuel, fuel. Rising fuel prices have significantly changed people’s behavior and increased the need for careful usage. Everywhere—streets, villages, and meetings—the discussion is about fuel, just as it is here in Mara Region. The question is: is this the same in other parts of Tanzania? The answer is yes, though Mwanakwetu is not certain about the situation in other countries around the world.
According to Allan Nyundo, a Transport Officer from the Mara Regional Office:
“For government vehicles in Tanzania, one liter of fuel is used for every six kilometers traveled, whether diesel or petrol. However, for some other vehicles, they can travel more than 10 kilometers per liter depending on their fuel system.”
Dear reader, these stories about fuel remind Mwanakwetu of two real incidents in Tanzania—one involving the government and another involving a private road construction company.
Let me begin with the private company story.
A road construction company suspected that its drivers were stealing fuel. Various methods were tried to address the issue, as the company was incurring losses.
At one point, they used red-colored fuel in their tanks, but this did not solve the problem. The theft continued. Eventually, they secretly modified the fuel system by adding a harmless substance to their vehicles’ fuel. However, if that fuel was stolen and used in other vehicles, it would damage their fuel pumps immediately.
This modification was done at night. Afterward, all vehicles were serviced, and drivers were sent home for a week. The tanks were filled completely.
When the drivers returned, they were happy to receive vehicles with full tanks and resumed work. However, those who continued stealing and selling the fuel soon realized that buyers’ vehicles were breaking down frequently due to damaged fuel pumps.
Eventually, people stopped buying stolen fuel, and the company’s fuel remained secure until the project was completed.
Now, let me take you to a government story.
The name Ambassador Hussein Katanga is well known in Tanzania. He rose through many ranks—from Executive Director, Regional Administrative Secretary, Permanent Secretary, Ambassador, and later Chief Secretary. Mwanakwetu is unsure of his current position.
While serving as Municipal Director of Kinondoni, the issue of fuel misuse arose. It was claimed that old vehicles consumed too much fuel. He was advised to purchase newer, fuel-efficient vehicles for Heads of Departments, and this was done—they were given Suzuki Jimny vehicles.
However, fuel usage did not decrease, which surprised him.
One day, he called a driver of one of the Suzuki Jimny vehicles. They went to a fuel station, filled the tank, recorded the mileage, and spent the day inspecting various projects. In the evening, they returned and recorded the fuel usage.
A week later, he called all drivers to a meeting and questioned why fuel usage remained high despite new vehicles. He asked the same driver to read out the distance traveled and fuel used on the day they were together, and then compare it with the week when he was not present.
The results showed that on the day Katanga was present, the vehicle traveled many kilometers using little fuel, but on other days, fewer kilometers were covered with much more fuel used.
This pattern appeared across all drivers, indicating fraud.
He then said:
“There is a serious problem here. I have personally investigated this matter. I did not want to accuse anyone unfairly. Be careful—I will not tolerate misuse of public fuel even once more.”
From that day on, fuel usage in Kinondoni Municipality became disciplined. If that discipline has declined, it must have happened after his departure.
Ambassador Hussein Katanga is a former student of Tambaza Secondary School, a former football player of the school team, originally from Kurasini in Dar es Salaam, with roots in Kigoma Region.
So what is Mwanakwetu saying today?
All these stories serve as a reminder of the importance of proper fuel usage—whether in private or public institutions. Nothing more.
This reminder also comes after hearing the directive from the Acting Regional Administrative Secretary of Mara Region, Mr. Humphrey Florence Kong’oke, regarding proper fuel usage.
Mwanakwetu, Are you there?
Remember:
“Ambassador Hussein Katanga and the Suzuki Jimny.”
Have a nice day.
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