Tanzania’s deputy investment minister dies at 49

By Kizito Makoye

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (AA) - Tanzania’s deputy minister of state for investment William Ole Nasha passed away on Monday night, President Samia Suluhu Hassan confirmed. He was 49.

“I regret to inform you ... William Tate Ole Nasha has died in Dodoma. I would like to extend my sympathies to the speaker of the national Assembly Hon. Job Ndugai, members of parliament, his family and the citizens of Ngorongoro. May God rest his soul in peace,” the president tweeted.

Nasha’s death comes two months after the passing of Defense Minister Elias Kwandikwa, dealing a blow to the country’s political administration.

A native Maasai, Nasha was a lawmaker from Ngorongoro constituency, representing the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, and held a number of government positions.

According to Gabriel Munisi, a party official, Nasha was suddenly taken ill. “We are very sorry for his passing, it was so sudden but the purposes of the almighty are perfect,” Munisi told Anadolu Agency.

Meanwhile, Job Ndugai, the speaker of National Assembly, sent his condolences to the bereaved family.

“I convey my sincere sympathies to the bereaved family, the government, and the people of Ngorongoro, members of parliament, friends and relatives for this great loss. May the almighty God give you strength and perseverance,” he said in a statement.

As a legislator, Nasha will be remembered for addressing the worsening plight of Maasai pastoralists, whose ancestral land has for long been encroached by powerful investors wishing to establish large scale farms.

Born on May 27, 1972, Nasha, who also served as a deputy minister for agriculture livestock development and fisheries, was trained as a lawyer.