Uhuru,Magufuli in 'rare show of unity' at EAC Summit

david nganga

February 24, 2018 1:22 PM

There is no bad blood between us - Magufuli said of his relationship with Uhuru

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Tanzanian counterpart President John Magufuli put on a rare show of unity when they met on Friday to sort out differences between Kenya and Tanzania.

The heads-of-state, while meeting their ministers, directed them to have a quick sit-down in a bid to resolve “small vexing” differences between the two East African states.

They met at Lake Victoria Resort of Munyonyo in the outskirts of the Ugandan capital Kampala on Friday, on the margins of a summit of the East African Community.

While it is said that the two leaders have had a cold relationship stemming from various trade and bilateral issues, Magufuli moved to assure that there was no bad blood between him and President Kenyatta.

“We have small issues relating to businesses and traders between Kenya and Tanzania. We want Kenya and Tanzania ministers to meet urgently and resolve these issues,” Magufuli said.

President Kenyatta echoed his sentiments urging the ministers to solve the small issues urgently.

“These small matters require urgent attention.”

Kenya and Tanzania have had various trade rows over the past few months with the recent case being that of Tanzania incinerating 5,000 chicks from Kenya.

The country has also auctioned cows belonging to Kenyans over territorial differences.

The presidents agreed that it was in the interest of both countries that Kenya and Tanzania prosper, because growth in one country guaranteed growth in the neighbour.

david nganga