Mwinyi mentor of future leaders- Kairuki

TANZANIA: TANZANIA’S High Commissioner to UK, Mbelwa Kairuki has eulogised the former President Ali Hassan Mwinyi as humble and bold leader, who would also be remembered for his ability to mentor leaders in performing national duties.

The former president Mwinyi was hailed by Tanzania’s embassy in the UK as a bold and modest leader who would be remembered for his capacity to guide future presidents in performing their national obligations.

The envoy made the remarks yesterday through his X handle following the death of Mzee Mwinyi that occurred on Thursday while receiving treatment at Mzena Hospital in Dar es Salaam.

The diplomat said Mzee Mwinyi was one of the people he contacted before reporting to his working station after being appointed to represent Tanzania in China in 2017. He added that when he first met with Mzee Rukhsa, the late former President told him a few words that were a catalyst in the implementation of his duties as an ambassador to China.

“You are going to China for our traditional friends, go and fortify our relationship, as your predecessors have done for many years. But if you fail to make it stronger then leave it where you found it,” the diplomat quoted Mzee Mwinyi.

According to Ambassador Kairuki those words motivated him to work hard in strengthening the ties.

“Mzee Mwinyi’s words gave me strength to work and I didn’t want to let him down,” he said.

Amb Kairuki further said that, “In November last year when he was in London for treatment, I reminded him of the advice he gave me in 2017… he was very happy that I followed his advice– then he told me to continue doing the same in England.

He noted that many people described Mzee Mwinyi as brave, humble, gentleman, parent and guardian.

“The late Mzee Mwinyi is also described as having made economic reforms and opening up the country, one example (close to home) is the way he gave permission to open the Private Hospital of Tanzania Assemblies of God (TAG) Mikocheni Hospital (which is currently known as Kairuki Hospital).

He added that the late Prof Hubert Kairuki got the idea of establishing a hospital in the 1980s, when the law did not allow individuals to establish hospitals except for religious institutions.

“Prof Kairuki decided to collaborate with TAG to achieve the mission. However, the executives within the Ministry of Health who were present at that time convinced the Minister of Health who was present at that time not to give permission. Mzee Mwinyi got information about the challenge from his Aide-DeCamp (ADC)the late Colonel Thabit… then he called the late Prof Kairuki and asked him to tell him what had happened to him,” he said.

Amb Kairuki continued saying “After listening – Mzee Mwinyi gave permission for the Hospital to be opened and ordered the then Kinondoni District Commissioner, the late Hemed Mkali, to open it on March 17, 1987.” “I have no doubt that, if it was not for Mzee Mwinyi to make the same decision, today Kairuki Hospital and other institutions would not exist,” Amb Kairuki asserted.

Adding: “a great lesson left to us by Mzee Mwinyi, especially those responsible for serving the people at various levels … we should be attentive, humble and do justice. Autocracy, short-term personal fame are not good and permanent qualities for a public servant.”