CCM Chairman President Jakaya Kikwete has assured Kenyans that the party’s Union presidential candidate, Dr John Magufuli, will win the upcoming general election.Mr Kikwete made the assurance in reaction to a question from some Kenyans who has asked him who would be Tanzania’s next president after he relinquishes power after the October 25 polls.
“You ask me who’ll be the next president? I am sure he will be from my party, Tanzanians know it and there is no doubt about it,” he said, amid applause from his audience. He said after 10 years he would retire and that much had been accomplished in the country, but more needs to be done to enhance cooperation with Kenya and the East African Community (EAC) at large.
He said a lot had been achieved but some people -- as human beings are -- tend to feel that nothing has been done and only appreciate when foreigners mention their achievements. He said that as a senior official of the African Development Bank (AfDB) for East Africa Mr Gabriel Negatu said, in the past five years the trade volume and cooperation between Tanzania and Kenya had grown by 40 per cent.
Mr Kikwete assured Kenyans that the friendship and cooperation between the two countries would continue and that upon completion of upgrading the Arusha – Holili/Taveta –Mwatate road a further 10 per cent would be realised.
He was cheered when he said that Rombo residents in Kilimanjaro region have no enough land for cultivation and they can move to Kenya to get the same.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta who was speaking at the occasion of launching of Arusha-Holili-Mwatate road told Mr Kikwete that he was convinced that Tanzanians would vote for the party that has maintained peace, unity and security in Tanzania and East Africa.
Mr Kenyatta said he was awaiting to see the retirement of President Kikwete after serving the nation for a decade and would seek from him what retired presidents do. Acting Kenyan Transport and Infrastructure minister Mr Najib Balala told Mr Kikwete that he was of the opinion that CCM would win the October 25 polls.
The Mvita constituency legislator said he was happy to see both presidents at the occasion because it is not always a normal thing.
Taveta legislator Ms Naomi Shaban said her dream was realised after seeing the two presidents at the area. She wished Mr Kikwete victory for his party in the forthcoming elections.
She said the two leaders were great men and that after launching of the project she was satisfied. On the way from and to Kilimanjaro International Airport Mr Kikwete was cheered by Kilimanjaro residents.