Dar leader a hot topic in Kenya than Tanzania

In life, John Pombe Magufuli’s name was commonplace in Kenya, especially for his longstanding love-hate relationship with the country. In sickness and death, his name went viral.

The 61-year-old politician, born in Chato, created fodder for meme bloggers, some enchanted by his name Pombe.

And while media outlets in his country cowered for fear of reprisal, Kenyan bloggers and political pundits thrived.

In 2017, Tanzania burned 6,400 chicks imported from Kenya for fear they would transmit bird flu into his country.

Magufuli snubbed President Uhuru’s Kenyatta’s inauguration in 2017 and was quick to ban flights from Kenya into Tanzania at the height of Covid-19.

The fifth president of the United Republic of Tanzania the late John Pombe Magufuli. [Courtesy]

Around March 10, when news started circulating that he might have been rushed to hospital, Kenyans took to speculation.

And while Tanzanians were not comfortable disseminating information about their president's health, Kenyans fearlessly discussed his possible condition.

He had been an avid sceptic of Covid-19, discouraging mask-wearing and hailing the power of prayers and homemade concoctions, and this did not win him many admirers.

There was even a rumour that Tanzanian news media outlets were getting information on his whereabouts from their Kenyan counterparts.

When he died, President Kenyatta labelled the moment one of “profound sorrow and immense sadness” and reassured Tanzania of Kenya’s solidarity with the grieving country.

“As a symbol of our enduring respect for the fallen president, as well as our solemn solidarity with the people as well as the nation of the united republic of Tanzania, the flag of the East African Community (EAC) and the flag of Kenya shall be flown at half-mast in all public buildings and public grounds, and wherever else throughout the entire territory of the republic of Kenya, and at all Kenyan diplomatic nations abroad, from today until sunset the day of the funeral,” President Kenyatta, who also chairs the EAC, announced.

Kenyans have probably discussed Magufuli more than our Tanzania neighbours, with coverage on all mainstream media platforms after his death.

In life, as in death, Magufuli and Kenya are inextricably tied, and when many say they will never forget him, they mean it.