Raila Odinga passed by Tanzania on his way from Lusaka, to condole with the families of his friends, the late Tanzanian Presidents John Pombe Maghufuli and Benjamin Mkapa. The two leaders passed away when the ODM leader was away in the hospitalized with Covid-19.
”I passed by to visit the families of my good friends Presidents Benjamin Mkapa and John Magufuli. Great to see Mama Anna Mkapa and Mama Janeth Magufuli in high spirits. Mungu azilaze roho zao mahali pema peponi,” the ODM leader tweeted.
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”President Magufuli and his family have been close friends for a long period of time. He has been by my side at my most difficult and painful moments. Over the years, we have worked together especially in the areas of connecting Eastern Africa by way of infrastructure,” Raila Odinga said on March 18th while mourning Maghufuli who passed on while in office, after a short heart illness.
Three months after President Magufuli’s demise, on July 18th former President Benjamin Mkapa passed away at a Daresalaam hospital after he fell ill. Mkapa led Tanzania from 1995 to 2005 before handing over to Jakaya Kikwete.
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”In Kenya we retain fond memories of his mediation efforts alongside Dr Koffi Annan and Graca Machel that helped the country return to peace after the 2007-2008 election violence. In his death, Africa has lost a giant. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, President John Pombe Magufuli and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania. #RIPMzeeMkapa,” Raila Odinga mourned the former Tanzanian leader.
