President Robert Mugabe, known for being sleepy during public events, remained alert throughout the swearing-in ceremony of Tanzania's newly elected president, John Pombe Magufuli.
Notably, Mugabe had previously referred to Kenyans as thieves. While his age might be considered a factor, his statement comes amidst various corruption allegations in Kenya, including the EuroBond saga and mass looting in the National Youth Service (NYS), which have been acknowledged by officials like Waiguru and Duale.
During the ceremony, President Uhuru Kenyatta arrived late and missed the key moment. He was seated in the second row, behind President Mugabe, who was positioned in the front row alongside outgoing president Kikwete, Uganda's Yoweri Museveni, and Rwanda's Paul Kagame.
President Kenyatta was grouped with other leaders, including Burundi's President Nkuruzunzia and the Democratic Republic of Congo's President Kabila. The seating arrangement may indicate strained relations between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.
Tanzania's new president, John Pombe Magufuli, has a humble background as the son of a peasant farmer. Despite serving in the lucrative Roads Ministry, he remains relatively poor. Notably, he signed a Standard Gauge Railway line project that costs 90% less than Kenya's similar project.
