President William Ruto has conveyed his condolences to the president of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan, and the people of Tanzania following the death of Ali Hassan Mwinyi.
The late Mwinyi who was the second President of the United Republic of Tanzania between 1985 and 1995 passed on Thursday.
In his message on X President Ruto mourned Mwinyi as a great leader with a rich legacy.
“I extend my condolences and those of the people of Kenya to President Samia Suluhu and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania following the passing on of Ali Hassan Mwinyi the second President of the United Republic of Tanzania. We join in mourning the loss of a great leader whose rich legacy will never fade. Rest In Peace, Mzee Mwinyi.” Mourned Ruto.
While announcing the death of Mwinyi, President Suluhu said he died in hospital in Dar es Salaam where he was receiving treatment for lung cancer. He had been receiving treatment since November.
“On behalf of the government, I would like to convey my condolences to the family, relatives, friends and all Tanzanians for this loss,” President Suluhu said.
President Suluhu announced that Mwinyi will be buried on March 2, 2024, in Ugunja domiciled in the highlands of Zanzibar.
She further declared a 7-day mourning period during which flags will be raised at half-mast.
Mwinyi took over from Tanzania’s founding president Julius Nyerere.
Before becoming the president, Mwinyi served in several positions in Government including the Interior Minister and Vice President.
He also was chairman of the ruling party, the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) from 1990 to 1996.
In retirement, Ali Hassan Mwinyi stayed out of the limelight and continued to live in Dar es Salaam. His son Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, is the current President of Zanzibar, the Tanzanian archipelago.
