President Samia appoints Tido Mhando and Bakari Machumu to senior State House communication roles

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has appointed seasoned media professionals Dunstan Tido Mhando and Bakari Machumu to lead her communication team.

The announcement, contained in a letter dated November 19, 2025, from Chief Secretary Ambassador Dr Moses Kusiluka, entrusted Mr Mhando with the role of Presidential Adviser for Information and Communications, and named Mr Machumu as Director of State House Communications.

Mr Mhando has over five(5) decades of experience in broadcasting. He started his media career at Radio Tanzania Dar es Salaam, then worked at the Voice of Kenya (VoK)--the predecessor to Kenya Broadcasting Corporation--before joining the BBC Kiswahili service.

Later, he served as Director-General of the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC), leading major reforms.

Mr Machumu comes with extensive experience in media leadership and corporate communication.

He previously served as Managing Director of Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL)--publishers of Mwananchi, The Citizen, and Mwanaspoti.

Under his leadership, MCL expanded its digital platforms, grew its audience reach, and invested in modern newsroom technologies.

He also served as Chief Executive Officer of Tanzania Standard (Newspapers) Limited (TSN), publishers of Daily News, where he spearheaded the company’s digital transition and strengthened its commercial strategy.

He has been an adviser in media business development, organisational restructuring, and digital transformation across the region.

He holds a BSc in Agriculture from Sokoine University, an MBA from ESAMI, and a Master’s in Media Leadership and Innovation from Aga Khan University.

Ambassador Kisaluka said the appointments reflect President Suluhu’s vision of a professional, responsive and modern communications structure that can effectively explain government programmes, simplify public information, and engage citizens across platforms.