The blossoming relationship between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Tanzanian counterpart John Magufuli was enhanced by several boardroom meetings.
Previously, Magufuli has been on Uhuru's neck and Kenya's relationship with long time allies Tanzania, was headed to the South as recent as last year.
When Uhuru was re-elected, Magufuli, a close ally of opposition leader Raila Odinga, skipped the Nairobi function which had been dismissed by Mr Odinga.
But behind the scenes, a source told Sunday Nation, the three gentlemen have been meeting, with Raila being the key player behind restoration of good relationship.
According to the source, the three have met physically in camera, a move that changed shape in East Africa's neighbours, with Uhuru visiting Tanzania earlier this month.
“The President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, will arrive in the country on Friday at 10am at Chato Airport. He will then proceed to President Magufuli’s home in Mlimani Chato District,” a statement from State House, Dar es Salaam, said.
Mr Odinga's ties with Magufuli are not a secret. Besides attending ODM functions, Magufuli was among the guests during the burial of Raila's son, Fidel Odinga in 2015.
Also, added the source, Odinga called Magufuli before President Uhuru Kenyatta jetting to Dar es salaam recently for a meeting with the Tanzanian boss.
“A day before President Kenyatta went to Dar, Raila talked with Magufuli about the visit on phone. Again, after the President inspected ongoing works at the Kisumu port, Raila had passed by Dar,” a close associate of one of the two leading politicians told the Sunday Nation on Saturday.
The relationship between Uhuru and Magufuli had deteriorated with Uhuru's administration reportedly supporting Tanzania's opposition Chadema during 2015 polls.
“Chadema Party agreed to support President Kenyatta’s re-election because he has led Kenya well,” Mr Edward Lowassa said.
When Uhuru was having handshake with Raila in Kenya last year, it happened that Mr Lowassa also reconciled with President Magufuli, a huge coincidence.