Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete to address Kenya’s Parliament

Tanzania President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete is set to address a joint Parliamentary sitting of National Assembly and the Senate Tuesday afternoon for the first time during his tenure as President.

Kikwete has been Tanzania’s President since 2005 when he was elected first before winning a re-election in 2010.

Among the issues that are expected to come up in his address include the rejuvenated relations between Kenyan and Tanzania that saw the launch of Mwatate-Taveta road on Sunday to improve connectivity between the two countries.

During the launch, African Development Bank said it had given USD 218 million (Ksh 22 billion) for the construction of the road and the upgrading of the Arusha-Holili section. Kenya received USD 116 million (Ksh 12.1 billion) while Tanzania received USD 102 million (Ksh 10 billion).

Kikwete is also expected to officially extend his invite to President Uhuru Kenyatta to visit Tanzania for the launch of the Arusha-Holili section.

President Kikwete is also expected to address the issue of terrorism which has posed a threat to the region, more so to Kenya.

In bilateral talks on Monday, President Kikwete assured of cooperation between Tanzania and Kenya in the war against terrorism, drug trafficking and poaching.

In their speeches after the meeting held at State House in Nairobi, Presidents Kenyatta and Kikwete affirmed the commitment to foster trade and economic development.

“We must ensure that we close all the avenues that lead to the radicalisation of our youths. We must also step up mechanisms that will make it difficult for drug barons to peddle their wares,” said President Kikwete.

He also emphasised that by working jointly, Kenya and Tanzania stand a better chance of ending poaching, which is a major threat to wildlife in both countries.

“Our two countries are eternally bound by a common destiny in which our citizens aspire to enjoy the promise of a region endowed with endless possibilities and opportunities,” President Kenyatta said.

One of the most pressing issues, though, that Kenya’s tourism stakeholders will be keen on is whether Tanzania will finally budge to growing pressure and join the single visa bandwagon that allows tourists to enter multiple countries using one visa.

Currently, only Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda are part of the initiative which was launched last year to improve tourism in the region.

Tanzania has in several occasions asked to be given more time to iron out outstanding issues that have impeded their entry into the agreement.

President Kenyatta will be present during Kikwete’s address to Parliament which is set to begin at 2:30PM. Kikwete is in Kenya for a three-day state visit which began on Sunday.