Uhuru Declares Seven Days of National Mourning in Honor of the Deceased Tanzanian President Magufuli

President Kenyatta has declared seven days of national mourning in Kenya in honor of the late Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli, who passed away on Wednesday.

Kenyatta further directed that the Kenyan flag and that of the East African Community be flown at half-mast in all public and Kenyan diplomatic missions abroad from March 18th until sunset on the day Magufuli will be buried.

“On behalf of the government and people of Kenya, I convey our sincere condolences to the First lady of Tanzania Janeth Magufuli, their children, the entire Magufuli family and indeed affirm our deep solidarity with the government and people of Tanzania during this challenging time. Tanzania remains in our thoughts and prayers,” Kenyatta said during a televised address on Thursday.

Kenyatta said he has lost a friend, a colleague, and a visionary ally whom he eulogized as an illustrious leader and a champion of Pan-Africanism.

“Africa and the world has lost an illustrious leader whose vision, passion, and immense leadership propelled the Nation of Tanzania forward and also steer the East Africa Community to closer integration. On the continental stage the late President Magufuli was a champion of pan Africanism,” added Kenyatta.

Magufuli, 61, died on Wednesday evening at Mzena State Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Vice-President Samia Hassan Suluhu announced. She said he succumbed to a heart condition that he had battled for 10 years.

Magufuli was elected as the country’s fifth president in 2015 and re-elected for a second term in October 2020.