He is a founder and director of Maarifa Research and Training Associates, a not-for-profit non-government institution that engages in provision of research, consultancy and training services in a wide range of areas in education and social sciences.
He is also an adjunct professor at the Tumaini University Dar es Salaam College, where he is engaged in teaching and research on parttime basis.
[1] In 2020, Mkumbo ran in the 2020 Tanzanian general election and won the Member of Parliament seat for Ubungo.
In Samia Suluhu Hassan inaugural cabinet, he was appointed as the Minister of Industry and Trade, however, was then replaced by Ashatu Kijaji in the first reshuffle.
Kitila Mkumbo has published widely in peer-reviewed journal articles and made dozens of presentations at international academic conferences.