Tanzanian President John Magufuli agreed to reinforce ongoing bilateral agreements with Kenya besides deepening people to people relationship among the two countries, State House spokesperson Kanze Dena has said.
A couple of days ago, President Uhuru Kenyatta became the first sitting Head of State in East Africa to visit Magufuli's residence at Chato in the outskirts of Dar es salaam.
In a briefing delivered on Tuesday, Ms Dena said the two leaders agreed to enhance Martine transport in Lake Victoria besides establishing gas trade pact.
"During the visit, the President and his host agreed to reinforce ongoing bilateral engagements aimed at growing trade and deepening people-to-people interactions between the two countries in the spirit of the East African Community accord," she said.
"To attain the two goals, the two leaders specifically agreed to enhance maritime transport on Lake Victoria, establish a natural gas trade pact and address cross-border security among them terrorism," added Ms Dena.
In yet another agreement that could have ripple effect on judicial system, the two leaders agreed to have those committing cross border crimes to be tried in the country where they specifically committed the act
"On cross-border security, the two Heads of State announced that citizens of either country involved in crime will be subjected to the laws of the country where the crime was committed," she said.
For over three years, the relationship between Kenya and Tanzania has been deteriorating, forcing Magufuli to order auctioning of cows from Kenya which crossed over the border in 2017.
President Uhuru Kenyatta last week said that his main intention is to see East Africa merging before the end of his tenure in 2022. East Africa merger has been a debate for decades now.
"If there is one thing I would like to see before the end of my time, it is to see that East Africa is one. (Kama kuna kitu ningependa kuona mbele ya wakati wangu uishe, ni siss wana East Africa tukiwa kitu kimoja)."