While paying his tribute to the former Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli in Dodoma on Monday, President Uhuru Kenyatta went momentarily silent.
President Kenyatta interrupted his speech in respect of Adhan, the Muslim call to prayer, made by a mosque situated near the stadium where thousands of mourners thronged for the State funeral ceremony.
The Kenyan leader was among several Heads of State who attended the Dodoma ceremony to pay tribute to the fallen Tanzanian leader.
“He showed that Africans can liberate themselves from economic dependence,” said President Kenyatta in his glowing tribute for the leader who died of cardiac-related complications.
Kenyatta revealed that spoke often with Magufuli on economic matters and East African affairs.
“We will continue working together to promote regional integration,” assured Kenyatta.
Other presidents who attended the state funeral ceremony are Mozambique’s Filipe Nyusi, Malawi’s Lazarus Chakwera, South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, DR Congo’s Felix Tshisekedi and Botswana’s Mokgweetsi Masesi.
The leaders said Magufuli was a true pan-Africanist who believed in the potential of African people to achieve economic independence and fight off corruption.
Magufuli died on Wednesday on March 17 and will be buried in Chato district on Friday, March 26.
