Uhuru leads Kenyan delegation to pay last respects to Magufuli
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday led government officials in conveying their condolences following the death of President John Pombe Magufuli.
He expressed Kenya’s solidarity with Tanzania as the country comes to terms with the loss of its leader.
“We have come to join you in affirming our solidarity with you at this difficult time. We want you to convey our personal condolences and those of Kenyans to President Samia Suluhu Hassan. We are praying for her. We want you to assure her of our support and that the good work our brother (President Magufuli) had began, we shall continue with it,” President Kenyatta told High Commissioner John Stephen Simbachawene.
Leaders who accompanied the Head of State were the two Speakers of Parliament Justin Muturi (National Assembly) and Ken Lusaka (Senate); acting Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu; Cabinet Secretaries Fred Matiang’i (Interior), Adan Mohamed (EAC), Amina Mohamed (Sports) and Margaret Kobia (Public Service) as well as the Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua.
They eulogized the late Magufuli as a true pan-Africanist who sacrificed a lot to ensure economic development not only for the citizens of Tanzania but also for the continent.
“We are here to mourn and comfort you for loosing a leader who was a true friend. He was not only committed to Tanzania’s wellbeing but also for the East African region. It is unfortunate we have lost him,” President Kenyatta said.
He recalled how Tanzania’s founding father President Julius Nyerere was ready to postpone his country’s independence until all other East African countries were also granted freedom.
Amb. Simbachawene expressed his gratitude to President Kenyatta saying his declaration of seven days of mourning demonstrates a spirit of true brotherhood between the two nations.
“We are very encouraged and comforted by your messages of condolence. We have lost our leader and a great friend of Kenya and also your personal friend. We thank you for demonstrating your love for Tanzania and the East Africa region,” he said.
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