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President William Ruto has expressed pride in Tanzania for its commendable strides in trade.

Speaking on Saturday, December 7, 2024, the president enthusiastically commended Tanzania’s progress in surpassing Kenya in goods and services traded in the East African region.

“I said last week in Arusha that as Kenyans we are proud. The country of Tanzania is now leading in our business engagement. I say this with a lot of pride because the success of Kenya is the success of East Africa, the success of Tanzania is the success of our region of East Africa, and the success of each and every country is our collective success.

“We must encourage positive competition that makes us grow our businesses, enterprises and engagements in all aspects,” the president said.

Highlighting the progress of Tanzania, Ruto also announced that plans are currently underway to duel the road that connects Tanzania to Kenya to expand tourism in the coastal towns.

This, he says plays a significant role in boosting trade and tourism activities between the countries.

“Our friends from Tanzania who drove on this road, we have now agreed as East Africans that we are going to duel the road that connect Tanzania, Kenya, all the way to Malindi so that we can better explore the huge opportunities for tourism and leisure that exists between our coastal towns,” the president said.

He also stated that the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) will be extended from Naivasha to Uganda, Rwanda and DRC to boost economic ties between the countries.

“We have agreed with Uganda, Rwanda and DRC that the Standard Gauge Railway will be extended from Naivasha to Uganda, to Rwanda and DRC so that in a few years time, they too can use the SGR whenever they come to Mombasa.”

Earlier, Ruto faced sharp criticism after he commended Tanzania for surpassing Kenya in the goods and services traded in East Africa.

” I commend Tanzania for overtaking Kenya in goods and services that we trade in in East Africa. Kenya was the leading country in terms of goods and services that we trade in the region. Today, Tanzania has overtaken Kenya.

“I must commend Tanzania for the progress they are making that the numbers are growing of trade between our countries. It is what is it. If we are to prosper we need a big market enough for our people to trade and invest,” Ruto said in Arusha on November 29, 2024.

His statement seemed to have angered a section of Kenyans who shared that Tanzania had overtaken Kenya because of his policies, which they claimed have negatively impacted the country’s economy.