Tanzania President Kikwete accorded 21-gun salute at State House, Nairobi

President Uhuru Kenyatta Monday accorded Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete full honours when he formally received him at State House, Nairobi.

President Kikwete received a 21-gun salute with the Kenya Army band playing the national anthems of Tanzania and Kenya.

Thereafter, the Tanzanian President inspected a colourful guard of honour mounted by a detachment of the Kenya Army before joining his host President Kenyatta for bilateral talks.

President Kikwete, who is in the country for a three-day state visit, arrived in the country on Sunday for the launch of the Taveta-Mwatate road with President Kenyatta.

The two East African leaders said construction of the 90km Taveta-Mwatate road is a crucial link in promoting the development objectives of Kenya and Tanzania.

Speaking during the launch of the road, President Kenyatta said he is impressed with the progress being made saying it will enhance integration in the region.

“This is one of the missing links aimed at enhancing the East Africa Integration objectives, and a crucial link between Kenya and Tanzania,” said the President Kenyatta.

The two leaders noted that Arusha-Holili-Taveta-Voi Road Project links the Northern Corridor at Voi.

The two leaders said the road project is the second to be funded by ADB, the first one being the improvement of Arusha-Namanga/Namanga-Athi River road.

President Kikwete thanked President Kenyatta for inviting him to preside over the launch of the construction of the road saying residents of northern and north-west Tanzania use the road to transport goods from Mombasa.

“It takes 14 hours from Arusha to Voi. But with the construction, it will only take two and a half hours, reducing the time and saving on vehicle maintenance,” he said.

The Tanzanian President said the road is part of EAC projects and also the Arusha-Holili-Taveta-Voi-Mombasa transport corridor.

On the EAC, President Kikwete said members States had planned major infrastructure projects to connect countries and the whole region.

“In the past five years, trade between Kenya and Tanzania has grown by 40 per cent. When the road is complete, trade will go up by another 10 per cent,” said Kikwete.

African Development Bank Regional Director Gabriel Negatu said the institution has given USD 218 million (Ksh 22 billion) for the construction of the Taveta-Mwatate Road and the upgrading of the Arusha-Holili section. Kenya received USD 116 million (Ksh 12.1 billion), and Tanzania USD 102 million (Ksh 10 billion).

The Arusha-Holili section on the Tanzanian side is also being upgraded.

President Kikwete further stated that Kenya has begun improving the Taveta-Mwatate road to bitumen standards, he will soon invite President Kenyatta to launch the same programme for the Arusha-Holili section.

President Kikwete said the road will not only serve Kenyans and Tanzania, but the greater East African region as it links other roads with Burundi-Rwanda and even to Uganda.

He expressed hope that relations between the two countries will continue to be cordial.

The Tanzanian leader retires after 10 years at the helm with Tanzanians going to the polls on October 25 to vote in another leader.

When completed, the road will help Kenyans and Tanzanians do more business across countries, boosting the economies of their nations.

Other leaders present include Cabinet Secretary for Mining Najib Balala, Taita-Taveta Governor John Mruttu, Senator Dan Mwazo and MP Naomi Shaban.