DETAILS OF HOW PRESIDENT UHURU PAID TRIBUTE TO MAGUFULI

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday 20th, rallied the government officials to pay their last respect to the late Dr Pombe Maguli. He succumbed to heart failure on Wednesday 17th, at 6pm. This was announced by the current Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan on national television.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and John Pombe Magufuli relationship was full of agreements and disagreements. They shared a special connection in relational to their personal life however in relation to politics, the two politicians disagreed regularly.

In 2019, President Uhuru paid a visit to the fallen Tanzanian president. This was at his private residence in Chato, Geita District where he spent the night. Uhuru who is not always open about his spiritual nature was seen praying to Magufuli’s mother, Suzanna Magufuli who was not feeling well at that moment. Same was reciprocated by Pombe Magufuli who also visited Mama Ngina.

President Uhuru and the late President Magufuli. Photo: Courtesy.

The late Pombe Magufuli offered Uhuru two peacocks and two peahens as an act of gratitude. An act which the late claimed was unlike him as he has never done so to any other person.

“I have been greatly touched by your visit here and I’m going to give you these two peacocks and two peahens as an appreciation for this great honor of your visit,” the late Magufuli said.

Despite how close these two presidents were in their personal capacities, they disagreed in many aspects during Magufuli’s reign. There are issues which clearly shows that the duo were not on the same page like: border closure, Kenyan traders locked when they cross the border to market their products and also when the pandemic first hit Kenya, the late Magufuli issued some comments which insinuated that Kenya was taking unnecessary precautions against the virus.

President Uhuru Kenyatta have today 20th March, expressed solidarity with the neighboring country. He affirmed that Kenyans are with them during this difficult time. Speaking to High Commissioner John Stephen Simbachawene, the President assured Tanzanians that Kenyans are with them during this difficult moments. He also passed a message to the newly sworn in President Samia Suluhu, saying that, together they will continue the good work which was started by the late Magufuli.

President Uhuru Kenyatta was accompanied by two speakers of Parliament Justin Muturi and Ken Lusaka of National Assembly and Senate respectively, Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, CS Fred Matiang’i, acting Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, Adan Mohamed (EAC) and CS Amina Mohammed.

Kenyan President led the government officials to the residence of Tanzania High Commissioner in Nairobi where they paid their last tribute. The Kenyan leaders eulogized Magufuli as a true leader and a friend who sacrificed a lot to ensure economic development to all parts of the continent.

In response, the High Commissioner said that Uhuru’s efforts of mourning the Tanzanian’s president by openly declaring a seven day mourning period in Kenya clearly showed that their relationship with Magufuli was an epitome of true brotherhood. The Commissioner also assured the leaders that he will definitely convey Uhuru’s message to President Samia Suluhu.