Uhuru Congratulates Tanzania’s Magufuli After Landslide Victory as US Raises Questions

President Kenyatta has congratulated Tanzania’s John Pombe Magufuli following his re-election for a second term in office.

President Magufuli won the just-concluded election by a landslide, garnering 12.5 million votes (84 percent) while his main challenger Tundu Lissu of the Chadema party got 1.9 million votes.

Uhuru in a statement said the re-election of Magufuli demonstrates the deep love, confidence, and trust Tanzanians have in his leadership.

“On behalf of the People and the Government of the Republic of Kenya and on my own behalf, I congratulate you, my brother, Dr. John Pombe Magufuli on your election victory and that of your party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi, in the just concluded election.”

“We in Kenya look forward to continue working with your Administration for the benefit of the people of our two nations, for the prosperity of East Africa and for the peace, stability, and growth of the African continent,” Uhuru noted 

“Your Excellency, as you settle down for your second term in office, I wish you good health and assure you of Kenya’s support and commitment to continue partnering with your Administration in pursuit of mutually beneficial objectives.” 

Tundu has refused to concede defeat terming the election’s outcome a “travesty” due to widespread irregularities.

The US through the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Tibor Nagy has also raised questions on the credibility of the election.

“We remain deeply concerned about reports of systematic interference in the democratic process.”

“We continue to review credible allegations of the use of force against unarmed civilians,” Nagy said in a tweet on Friday.

On Thursday, the US Embassy in Tanzania said there had been “credible allegations of significant election-related fraud and intimidation.”