In 1961, he joined the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU), after he took studies in administration in the Federal Republic of Germany (1962–1963).
Following the outbreak of hostilities with Uganda in November 1978, Sokoine ordered Tanzania's regional commissioners to marshal all military and civilian resources for war.
[3] He attempted to convince Moi to halt the flow of Libyan military aid through the country to Uganda, but was rebuffed.
[5] Sokoine joined Nyerere and other high officials on 26 July 1979 at Kaboya Military Cemetery in Muleba District to pay their respects to Tanzania's dead soldiers.
Sokoine died on 12 April 1984 at the age of 45 in Morogoro when his car collided with another vehicle on the road from Dodoma to Dar es Salaam.
People believe, that corrupt officials in the government plotted his death to avoid trial once he assumed office.
Though the chance of foul play was out ruled in the case, the lack of further investigation by the authorities fueled further conspiracy theories.