President William Ruto is set to deliver a rare address to Tanzania’s parliament next week, in what officials on both sides are describing as a significant moment for East African cooperation.
The announcement was made on Wednesday in Dodoma by Tanzania’s Deputy Speaker, Daniel Sillo, who told lawmakers that Ruto would speak to the House on Tuesday May 5 at 11 am.
“Honourable MPs, I would like to inform you that on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, His Excellency William Ruto, the President of the Republic of Kenya, will address this House,” Sillo said.
Sillo characterised the visit as both a formal address and an opportunity to deliver what he termed a “State of the Nation” perspective, with senior Tanzanian leaders expected to attend.
He added that the event was intended to “strengthen the fraternal cooperation between the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Kenya”.
The two neighbours share deep economic, infrastructural and cultural ties, though relations have occasionally been tested by trade disputes and differing approaches to regional integration.
The planned speech comes amid ongoing efforts by both nations to enhance economic and political cohesion within the East African Community.
It also marks a reciprocal gesture five years after Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan addressed Kenya’s parliament in 2021.
Clarification after Nigeria row
The Tanzanian visit comes days after Ruto faced sharp online criticism for remarks about Nigerian English that many interpreted as dismissive.
Speaking to Kenyans living in Italy on April 23, Ruto had praised Kenya’s education system and command of English, before adding: “If you listen to a Nigerian speaking, you don’t know what they are saying. You need a translator even when they are speaking English.”
The comments quickly went viral, sparking accusations of stereotyping and unnecessary rivalry between two of Africa’s largest economies and most influential nations.
Nigerians and other Africans expressed irritation on social media, with some accusing the leader of undermining pan-African solidarity.
On April 28, during the Mining Investment Conference and Expo in Nairobi, Ruto sought to defuse the situation. He insisted his original remarks had been made in a private conversation that was recorded and taken out of context, and that he had been misrepresented.
“I was talking about how we in Africa speak very good English,” he said. “In fact, in some countries like Nigeria, if you don’t speak excellent English like the one we speak in Kenya, you may need a translator… that was the comparison, but someone decided to take it out of context.”
President Ruto stressed that his intention was not to disparage any nation but to highlight proficiency across the continent. He expressed hope that the episode would not harm relations between Kenya and Nigeria.
“My in-laws, I hope there will be no consequences for whatever was done,” he added lightheartedly, in apparent reference to personal and cultural ties between the countries.
The clarification came as a Nigerian delegation, including Minister of Solid Minerals Henry Dele Alake, was present at the Nairobi mining event.
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