Sokoine’s son buried amid confusion about his death

Monduli. Ex-prime minister Edward Moringe Sokoine’s last-born, Mr Tumaini Sokoine, was laid to rest at Monduli Juu in Arusha Region yesterday with confusion still surrounding the cause of his death.

The deceased – whose death leaves behind a widow and three children – was buried in an event which took place at the family home, and was attended by government and political leaders including the Arusha Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr Mrisho Gambo and a former Prime Minister, Mr Edward Lowassa.

In his remarks delivered on behalf of the government, Mr Gambo said the government had received the news of Mr Tumaini Sokoine’s death with shock and grief.

“On behalf of the government and President John Magufuli, I would like to express our sincere sympathies on the death of your family member. I extend our condolences to the family, friends and dependants,” he said.

Others who spoke during the burial ceremony include the regional chairman of the ruling political party CCM, Mr Lekule Laizer and the permanent secretary of the ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional and International Cooperation, Dr Aziz Mlima.

Soon after the burial, Mr Lowassa who has been the Sokoine family’s guardian for a couple of years, left the premises in the company of his wife, Ms Regina.

Speaking on behalf of the family, the Tanzania ambassador to Belgium, Mr Joseph Sokoine, thanked all the people who took part in the burial for their support and sympathies.

As a brother of the deceased, Joseph thanked the government for its support all along.

Meanwhile, the Arusha Regional Police Commander, Mr Charles Mkumbo, disclosed that two people were being held for questioning in connection with the tragedy.