NAIROBI— Eldas Member of Parliament Adan Keynan has extended heartfelt congratulations to President Samia Suluhu Hassan on her resounding re-election as leader of the United Republic of Tanzania on Monday, a gesture underscoring the strong fraternal ties between Kenya and Tanzania.
“I convey my warmest congratulations to Her Excellency, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan on her election as President of the United Republic of Tanzania,” Keynan stated in a message released Sunday. “Her victory is a celebration of steadfast leadership, remarkable progress and Tanzania’s growing role as a pillar of stability and prosperity in the region.”
Keynan, a prominent figure in Kenya’s National Assembly and advocate for regional integration, expressed optimism for Suluhu’s second term. “As she embarks on a renewed mandate, I wish her continued strength, wisdom and success in advancing Tanzania’s development agenda and strengthening regional cooperation within the East African Community and beyond,” he added, signing off with a Swahili flourish: “Hongera!!” – meaning “Congratulations!”
The endorsement comes amid celebrations across East Africa following Suluhu’s landslide win in Wednesday’s presidential poll. The National Electoral Commission (NEC) announced Saturday that the 65-year-old incumbent secured a staggering 97.66% of the vote, translating to approximately 31.9 million ballots out of a total cast. With a voter turnout of nearly 87% among Tanzania’s 37.6 million registered electors, the result marked one of the most decisive mandates in the nation’s history.
In her victory speech delivered Saturday evening, Suluhu hailed the election as “free and democratic,” while sharply criticizing pockets of unrest. “We thank the security forces for ensuring that the violence did not stop voting,” she said upon receiving her official certificate from NEC Chairman Jacobs Mwambegele, who formally declared her the winner earlier that day. “The government strongly condemns the violent incidents. These incidents were not patriotic at all,” Suluhu added, accusing protesters of unpatriotic behavior.
The polls, held amid heightened tensions over opposition calls for reforms, saw scattered clashes in urban centers like Dar es Salaam, but authorities maintained that voting proceeded smoothly in most areas. Suluhu’s ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party dominated, reinforcing its grip on power since Tanzania’s independence in 1961.
Complementing the mainland triumph, CCM’s Hussein Mwinyi was re-elected president of semi-autonomous Zanzibar with nearly 80% of the vote, ensuring continuity in the archipelago’s governance.
Suluhu’s re-election caps a tenure defined by economic recovery post-COVID, infrastructure booms like the Standard Gauge Railway, and diplomatic strides in resolving regional conflicts, including Burundi’s stability. Critics, however, decry the opposition’s marginalization, with main challenger Tundu Lissu alleging irregularities – claims dismissed by the NEC.
As East Africa’s economic powerhouse, Tanzania’s stability under Suluhu bodes well for the EAC bloc, where Kenya-Tanzania trade hit $1.2 billion last year. Keynan’s message highlights hopes for deeper collaboration on shared challenges like climate resilience and youth employment.
With her inauguration slated for late November, all eyes turn to Suluhu’s agenda: sustainable growth, gender equity, and pan-African unity. For now, the region toasts a leader who has solidified her legacy.
