Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu will tomorrow address a joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate.

National Assembly speaker Justin Muturi and his senate counterpart Kenneth Lusaka in a gazette notice asked the legislators to avail themselves for the sitting.

The address by Suluhu follows her visit to Kenya – as Head of State – beginning today as part of her efforts of mending diplomatic ties with her country’s East African neighbors.

“NOTICE is given to all Members of the National Assembly that pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 25 (1) of the National Assembly Standing Orders, the Speaker of the National Assembly, in consultation with the Speaker of the Senate, has arranged for a Joint Sitting of Parliament to be held on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at 2.30 p.m. at the National Assembly Chamber, Main Parliament Buildings, Nairobi, for purposes of an address by Her Excellency, Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania,” reads the gazzete notice.

Resume sittings

The National Assembly is scheduled to resume its sittings today after a month long break occasioned by Covid-19 to consider various bills including the BBI bill. 

The senators on the other hand were expected to reconvene today, tomorrow and Thursday to consider the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI ) bill and the impeachment of the Wajir Governor Mohamed Abdi Mohamud.

But in the Gazzette Notice, Lusaka informed Senators that the special sittings of the Senate scheduled as set out in Gazette Notice No. 4196 of 2021, had been cancelled.

And in a statement to newsrooms, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said during the visit Suluhu would hold bilateral talks with President Uhuru Kenyatta aimed at strengthening the cordial relations between the two countries.

The duo, the statement added will also hold consultations at a business forum for Tanzanian and Kenyan business community and later President Suluhu will also attend a session with executive women in business.

“Kenya is the biggest investor in Tanzania while Tanzanian exports to Kenya have been on an upward trajectory in the last ten years. Kenya and Tanzania are members of the East African Community that is currently chaired by His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta,” reads a statement from MFA.

Bilateral meeting

According to MFA on arrival at State House, Suluhu will inspect a guard of honour and receive a 21-gun salute before proceeding for bilateral meetings and consultations with President Uhuru and later attend a state dinner hosted by First Lady Her Excellency Margaret Kenyatta at State House.

The State visit comes at a time when Kenya and Tanzania are working closely to deepen ties in the area of trade and people-to-people relations including the private sector, arts, culture, wildlife matters, tourism and cooperation at the continental and Multilateral levels.

 On Sunday State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena Mararo said President Uhuru Kenyatta would receive Suluhu at State Nairobi adding that she will be making a two-day state visit.

The visit follows a special invite by President Uhuru on April 10 in a bid to end years of frosty relations between the two countries.  The message was delivered by a Kenyan delegation led by Sports CS Amina Mohammed.