?President Uhuru Kenyatta condoles with Tanzania

President Uhuru Kenyatta signs the obituary guest book at the Tanzania High Commission in Muthaiga, Nairobi County as he paid his respects to the late former President Dr John Pombe Joseph Magufuli. Looking on is High Commissioner John Stephen Simbachawene.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday led a delegation of government officials in conveying condolences to Tanzanians, following the death of President John Pombe Magufuli.

President Kenyatta, alongside National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, Senate’s Kenneth Lusaka and acting Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, visited the High Commission of the United Republic of Tanzania in Nairobi to pay their respects. Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i and other State officials were also in the delegation.

This came a day after Tanzania ushered in a new era when Suluhu Hassan was sworn-in as the country’s sixth president.

The team was received at the Tanzania High Commission in Muthaiga by High Commissioner John Stephen Simbachawene.

President Kenyatta signed the condolence book before offering his sympathies to the High Commissioner. Those in his company, too, penned down their condolences.

While condoling with Kenya’s neighbours, the president emphasised the need for strong diplomatic ties, recounting Kenya’s and Tanzania’s relationship that dates back to pre-independence times.

“As Tanzania gained independence, Tanzania’s President Julius Nyerere was willing to forfeit his country’s independence for the sake of the independence of her East African neighbours,” said President Kenyatta, adding that his administration would continue forging strong ties with Tanzania.

The message of brotherhood was echoed by Muturi who also cited the friendly working relations with the Tanzanian parliament under Magufuli’s era.

“We have been working together as parliament and I have visited Tanzania on the invitation of my fellow Tanzanian Speaker John Ndugai,” he said.

His Senate counterpart urged the nation to be strong during this trying time and praised Magufuli’s leadership.

“Senate has been in recess but we will resume sittings on Tuesday and use the chance to eulogise President Magufuli. Death is a path that we will all follow,” said Lusaka.

Mwilu described Magufuli as an astute leader with an unwavering sense of duty.

“He was serious about his job and always wanted to see things moving,” she said.

Simbachawene, while appreciating the kind gesture, acknowledged the president’s move to declare seven days of national mourning as well as flying the country’s flag at half-mast until Magufuli is laid to rest.