Kenya has made a promise through President William Ruto to continue enhancing their relationship with Tanzania. He believes that both countries share the same dreams of being united, economically well-off, and regionally integrated.
During several meetings with the top leaders of Tanzania including President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the head of state said importance of close collaboration in various sectors such as trade, investment, and infrastructure development.
He also mentioned that the success of Kenya and Tanzania largely depends on each other and that working together is therefore not only desirable but also necessary.
“Kenya and Tanzania are working on enhancing our relations so as to be able to unlock even greater mutually beneficial opportunities, ” Ruto pointed out, bringing to the fore the need of stepping up joint infrastructure projects and implementing policies that will facilitate regional integration more rapidly.
Overcoming Competition
President also recognized that for long periods, relations among the neighbouring countries in the region have in majority been dominated by competition, mistrust, and rivalry – the very elements that have not only held back economic growth, but also led to the division of markets. He further confess that while there have been certain advances, traces of mistrust still remain and thus continue to affect bilateral relations.
Nonetheless, Ruto referred to the days of founding leaders, Julius Kambarage Nyerere and Jomo Kenyatta, who went together to such an extent that they even handed over Africa to the cooperation and not to divisions.
He added that their vision from that time is still valid as the East African nations are currently making efforts to further consolidate the benefits that have come through the regional frameworks.
A Shared Past and a Vision Rejuvenated
Kenya and Tanzania have a long history of partnership dating way back to the pre-independence times when Tanzania provided support to Kenya during the Mau Mau war. This act of solidarity was a catalyst for the coming together of the East African Community in 1967. Even though it disintegrated in 1977, the community was reestablished in 1999 and is still growing.
In line with this, Ruto pointed out that even though there are challenges, the unity of the member states of East African Community to solve the problems together is what makes the association strong.
A Border That Facilitates Connection Instead of Division
The shared border of nearly 800 kilometres of Kenya and Tanzania that stretches from the Indian Ocean towns of Lunga Lunga and Horohoro, to Mount Kilimanjaro, then through Maasai Mara and Serengeti, and finally to Lake Victoria, was referred to as a lively conduit of trade, culture, and human relations.
Meanwhile, the two countries are also united by a common language and culture as Kiswahili is the mother tongue of over 100 million people in the region. Additionally, neighbouring tribes like Maasai and Kuria are continuing to develop their social and economic relations through trade, intermarriage, and cultural exchange.
President also used the example of the yearly migration of wildebeests from Serengeti to Maasai Mara as a very strong symbol of nature’s unity and he urged policymakers that no border should stop movement and cooperation.
Lessons from the Past
Looking back at the break-up of the East African Community in 1977, Ruto explained that the reason for the break-up was not the differences in ideologies like Kenya having capitalism and Tanzania pursuing Ujamaa but the main reason was that each country was trying to benefit only itself and so an inclusive economic framework that would have benefitted all parties was not created, he said.
He cautioned against repeating the same errors and called on leaders to stop being obsessed with national interests and instead regard the shared resources and markets as joint assets.
Call for Deeper Integration
President Ruto, made a case for a move away from small-scale cooperation to massive integration, emphasizing that lack of trust among the biggest hindrances to the progress.
“Our generation should stop making small progress and should make final decision on integration, ” he said and added that elimination of mistrust will be the key to not only unlock the enormous economic potential but will also raise the region’s global stature.
Besides holding talks to seal partnerships aimed at boosting trade, infrastructure, and diplomatic cooperation, the State Visit is also expected to be the final act that reaffirms the unity between Kenya and Tanzania.