[Presidents Pombe Magufuli [left] and Yoweri Museveni. They has not been active on Kenyan political woes. Photo/Nation]
A 1400 KM crude oil pipeline dubbed East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline could be the center of rocky relationship between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni.
At the infantry stages of his presidency in 2013, Uhuru enjoyed close relationship with the veteran Ugandan leader but the conspicuous silent of Museveni over Kenya’s elections raises more questions than answers.
But political commentator Gideon Mamboleo says the decision by Uganda to abandon plan to build the pipeline from Lamu to Kabeele in Uganda may have deteriorated relationship between the two.
“All was well until Uganda pulled out of the deal. Kenya was bitter given that Uhuru had issues with Pombe Magufuli,” he says, adding that Uganda’s decision to choose Tanzania even worsened the matter.
He further says: “We all know that Pombe Magufuli is too close to Odinga and Tanzania’s change of regime favours Kenyan opposition. This is why the two countries remains non-committal.”
Despite some western powerhouses like US congratulating Uhuru in August before the nullification of his victory, Tanzania and Uganda remained mum.
Part of reasons Uganda gave for choosing Tanzania’s Tanga port at the expense of Kenya include cheap cost due to Tanzania’s absence of sloppy terrains as compared to Kenya.