President William Ruto on Sunday, December 17, explained the absence of Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni during the Jmahuri Day celebrations.
Speaking during a joint interview, the Head of State mentioned that Presidents Suluhu and Museveni were not invited to the Jamhuri fete at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi County.
The President further noted that the absence of the two was not a sign of a diplomatic row with the two countries.
"Do they normally attend our Jamhuri Day? No. We did not invite them. Some of the people came just because we are East Africans.
"Do I attend the national days of other countries? I don’t. Does that mean there is a problem? No," Ruto stated.
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During the Jamhuri celebrations at Uhuru Gardens, President Suluhu skipped the fete and sent the President of Zanzibar Hussein Mwinyi to represent her in the event.
Mwinyi, in his address, revealed that President Suluhu could not attend the event as she was addressing floods that have affected the northern part of Tanzania.
"Honorable Doctor Samia Suluhu Hassan, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, greatly desired to attend these celebrations. However, due to the significant impact of the floods that have affected our country in the northern region, she was unable to come in person. Instead, she has instructed me to represent her at the event,” Mwinyi explained.
