Africa-Press – Tanzania. AMID jovial mood, friendly atmosphere and beefed up security in Nairobi, President Samia Suluhu Hassan was escorted from the Serena Hotel to the Parliament Chambers shortly after 1430 hours, ready for her historic speech.
In a dark blue gown dotted with white flowers, a brown veil and a white face mask, President Samia occupied the Speaker’s Seat before and after her address, after a convocation and guard of honour were mounted in her honour. She removed the mask as she started her address that lasted for more than an hour.
The momentous entry in the Bunge saw her get in the Toyota Land Cruiser V8 with registration number KBW 413, going through Uhuru Highway – the road that leads to the Parliament. Due to Covid-19 pandemic, it was only 88 Members of Parliament (MPs) and 24 senators who were accommodated.
Otherwise, the hall accommodates more than 300 members. President Samia arrived in Kenya on Tuesday for a two-day visit. Speakers of the bicameral House, Justin Muturi of the National Assembly and his Senate counterpart, Mr Kenneth Lusaka said the special session was held while agenda that had initially been set for the House during the Wednesday sitting including the consideration of the impeachment motion of Wajir Governor Mohammed Mohamud and the debate of the Constitutional Amendment Bill 2020 had been cancelled.
“Accordingly, I notify all Senators that the special sittings of the Senate scheduled for Wednesday at 10.00 a.m. and 2.30 p.m., as set out in Gazette Notice No. 4196 of 2021 are cancelled,” he said President Samia said that the memory of her addressing the two chambers would always remain in her heart.
She is the third foreign head of state to address the bicameral Parliament and the second Tanzanian president to do so. President Samia has also made history as the first female Commander-in-Chief to address the neighbouring country’s august House. Others who have addressed Parliament are former Tanzanian President, Mr Jakaya Kikwete in 2015 and former Nigerian President, Mr Goodluck Jonathan in 2013. Both addresses were before Kenya’s 12th Parliament.
Addressing a foreign Parliament is considered an honour to any visiting head of state. President Samia said her visit to Kenya is aimed at cementing the historical friendship and brotherhood that exists between the people of the two countries. President Samia was applauded by the chambers’ members jovially.
She said those who accompanied her from Tanzania knew well the Nairobi streets, where they could get roasted meat, but due to Covid-19 they could not make it to the places. However, she thanked President Uhuru Kenyatta for his invitation as well as love for the country. She spoke of a good meeting with her counterpart, cementing good relationships that exist between the two East African Community (EAC) partner states.
It will go down in history for her being first head of state visit to Kenya, since she assumed the highest office. Last month, President Samia also went to Uganda with a special purpose to sign a mega oil pipeline deal. Immediately after her speech, she proceeded for a memorable photo session with MPs and senators before she left the Parliament grounds.
