Uhuru Receives Special Gift of Peacocks from Tanzania President Magufuli

Tanzania President John Magufuli has fulfilled his promise of gifting his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta with peacocks.

President Magufuli promised to gift Kenyatta with four peacocks during the Kenyan president’s two-day private visit to Magufuli’s rural home in Chato early last month.

The four ornamental birds were delivered to President Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi by Tanzania High Commissioner to Kenya Dr. Pindi Chana on Friday.

“On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Kenya, I receive this special gift. This is in the spirit of brotherhood and friendship of the East African residents,” President Kenyatta said while receiving the gift.

“It’s a great honor not only between us as Presidents but as the people of East Africa. This deep relationship and brotherhood should continue so as to benefit our current and future generations," he added.

Last month, President Magufuli said Kenyatta was the first visiting leader to ever receive such a gift from Tanzania.

“Kwa kweli nimeguswa. Sijawahi kugawa tausi kwenye nchi yoyote na has kwa sababu hawa tausi wana historia ya nchi yetu. Lakini kwa heshima na mahusiano makubwa yaliyopo kati ya Tanzania na Kenya nimekubali.  Hili limenigusa kutoka moyoni nitatoa tausi wanne. Watapelekwa Kenya kwa mheshimiwa Kenyatta. Na nina uhakika baada ya miaka kadhaa watazaa. Watakapo zaa wale wana atanirudishia. Wale wengine watabaki kule."
(Because of the good friendship I have with him and Kenya, I have been touched, I will give out four of these peacocks. I will instruct my people to deliver them to Nairobi).

“Sijawahi kupeana hawa tausi kwa rais yeyote na sitegemi kumgawia mwingine. Nimeguswa na nimeskia raha kweli. Mheshimiwa Kenyatta ni mtu very special. Amekuja hapa, ameenda mpaka kwenye kaburi la baba yangu. Ameenda mpaka kwa ndugu zangu na mama yangu. Nimeona jinsi mama alivyokuwa amemshika mkono kuna dalili kubwa sana kwamba mama amempenda sana,” said Magufuli.(I have never donated them because they have a historical background but today, I feel joy in my heart. I think it is wise to bless the person behind the joy.)