Dodoma, 10 October 2022 (TDI): The President of the Republic of Kenya, William Samoei Ruto, arrived in Tanzania on 9 October, along with his wife, Mama Rachel Ruto, for a two-day official visit.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs for Tanzania, Stergomena Tax, received the guests in Tanzania. 

Purpose of Visit

The visit of the President of Kenya to Tanzania is an opportune time for the two countries to sit down and discuss a prosperous way forward.

It was also a positive gesture by the new head of state as the two biggest economies in the East African region look to hush out any tensions and solidify relations. Both countries have always maintained positive ties in politics and trade.

The East African Community’s cohesiveness, which aims to strengthen the single market agenda and economic integration, is frequently jeopardized by challenges, particularly trade disputes, which tend to damage the friendly relations between the two parties that have existed for years.

Also, read: Kenya, Ghana commence free trade under AfCFTA

Evidently, the new President of Kenya chose Tanzania as the first country to visit following his swearing-in.

The visit of the President of Kenya, William Ruto, is yet again another opportunity for the President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan to penetrate her vision of state friendliness and building rapport with neighbors.

Bilateral Relations

Tanzania and Kenya have maintained close relations over many years founded on similar ideas in areas such as the rule of law, fundamental freedoms, social and economic order, and good governance, and with a special focus on economic and financial market issues.

Both countries pursue similar foreign policy objectives in a variety of international forums, including the United Nations, the AU, and the East African Community.

Moreover, both of them are important to each other as trading partners and have close economic ties.