Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale’s message of goodwill to Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has sparked mixed reactions among Kenyans, with the majority disagreeing with his remarks about her leadership.
In his statement on Sunday, October 26, Duale extended his best wishes to Suluhu as Tanzania prepares to head to the polls on October 29.
He went on to praise Suluhu’s tenure, describing her as a visionary leader who has overseen unity and progress across Tanzania.
"I extend my very best wishes to Her Excellency President Mama Samia Suluhu Hassan as the United Republic of Tanzania heads to the polls on 29th October. Under your visionary leadership, Tanzania has made remarkable strides in growth, unity, and development," he said.
Duale also highlighted the strong relationship between Kenya and Tanzania, expressing confidence that the two nations will continue to deepen their cooperation.
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"Kenya and Tanzania share deep bonds of friendship, history, and cooperation, and I am confident that these ties will continue to strengthen in the years ahead," he added.
Duale also extended his good wishes to Zanzibar’s President Hussein Mwinyi, Tanzania’s Agriculture Minister Bashe Hussein, and the ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) as the country enters an election period.
"I also take this opportunity to wish Dr. Hussein Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar, my friend Hon. Bashe Hussein, Minister of Agriculture, and the entire Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) fraternity a great success in the forthcoming elections," he concluded.
Check out the reactions below;
Earlier in the year, Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo called on Suluhu to change her tactics following the detention of Kenyan lawyers who had travelled to Tanzania to attend the court proceedings of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
In a statement on Monday, May 19, Odhiambo expressed that Suluhu was tainting her global image by blocking lawyers and activists from supporting Lissu.
She opined that Suluhu was using old tactics that are oppressive.
"It does not cost anything for people, especially human rights lawyers and activists, to stand with your opponent while he is undergoing trial. However, it costs you a bad image when you pick the tried and tired masculine approach to leadership that is oppressive," she said.
Millie maintained that she still held Suluhu in high regard, given her accomplishments, but noted that she had to change.
"Please make us proud. Do us proud. Do differently. Be different. The nurturing and caring roles have been seen as a weakness, but are indeed strengths. Let Tundu Lisu get his supporters. You have your own. Use the natural, nurturing, and caring roles to hold one to account, but without bending rules," she added.
