President Uhuru Kenyatta has once again reiterated his commitment to maintaining the strong bond between Kenya and Tanzania. President Kenyatta while consoling Tanzanians at the Tanzania High Commission residence in Nairobi after signing the condolences book said, the strong relationship between Kenya and Tanzania was forged during the days of our founding fathers, that is, the late mzee Jomo Kenyatta and his Tanzanian counterpart the late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere.
” Mwalimu Nyerere told colonial masters Tanzania will not be independent unless our brothers in Kenya and Uganda are. This is what President Magufuli maintained and I am going to extent the same to her excellency president Suluhu Samia,” Uhuru said in Swahili.
The president accompanied by Interior CS Dr. Fred Matiangi, speakers Ken Lusaka of the senate assembly, and his National assembly counterpart Justin Muturi, acting chief justice Philomena Mwilu among other high ranking officials in the government, reflected on the achievements of the late Magufuli had in the period of five years three months that he has been in power saying Magufuli’s death is not only a blow to Tanzania but also the east African community.
Speaker Muturi of the national assembly said Magufuli was a visionary leader whose legacy will be celebrated for a long time. The two speakers said once both houses resume, they will pay tribute to the late.
On the other hand, acting chief justice Philomena Mwilu described Magufuli as a strong Christian who believed in God at all times saying his death at the lenten period in the catholic calendar should call for forgiveness.
Ambassador Dr. John Stephen Simbachawene who hosted President Kenyatta and his delegation thanked Kenyans for standing firm with Tanzanians at this grieving time saying President Kenyatta’s order to observe seven days of mourning in Kenya is a strong brotherhood gesture that shows the kind of bond between these two countries.
President Magufuli who died on Wednesday the 17th of heart complications will be laid to rest on the 25th of this month.