Uhuru, Magufuli meet offers hope for mending ties : The Standard

President Uhuru Kenya and his Tanzanian counterpart John Magufuli have agreed on four key deals aimed at reviving flagging bilateral ties between the two countries. The two leaders resolved to revamp the Lake Victoria Ferry Services, establish a natural gas trade arrangement and vowed to deal firmly with insecurity as well as enhancing cross-border investments. On the latter, President Magufuli invited Kenyan firms to invest in his country in what was seen as an end to simmering trade hostilities between the two countries. Last year, Uganda and Tanzania slapped duty on Kenyan confectionery and sweets. Kenyan manufacturers are also frustrated by Tanzania’s push-back over duty-free sugar imports after the country slapped the commodity with a 25 per cent duty.

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Tanzania has also been faulted for charging $500 (Sh50,000) for work permits on Kenyan businessmen while Kenyan retailers doing business in the region, including Uchumi and Nakumatt, have folded up without settling their supplier debts. Kenya had in return banned gas imports from Tanzania. But Uhuru’s visit to Chato district, the home of the Tanzanian President, opened negotiations for gas imports from Tanzania. The two leaders directed their energy ministers to meet and see how Kenya could purchase gas from Tanzania. “There is no reason for Kenya to import gas while Tanzania is blessed with abundant reserves,” said Magufuli. The informal meeting of the two head of states is also likely to go a long way in calming down tensions following xenophobic remarks by Starehe MP Charles Njagua calling for the eviction of Tanzanian traders from Gikomba market in Nairobi.

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On the revival of the regional ferry service, Uhuru and Magufuli noted that regular maritime travel from Kisumu, Mwanza, Bukoba and other ports would help create employment, enhance connectivity and spur related economic activities.

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President Uhuru Kenyaohn MagufuliLake Victoria Ferry ServicesKenyan confectioneryChato district