President William Samoei Ruto has mourned Hassan Ameir Hafidh, the husband of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, following his death in Zanzibar, describing the loss as a painful blow to the Tanzanian leader, her family and the nation.

According to an announcement by Tanzania’s Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi, Hafidh died on Monday, September 7th, 2026, at about 8 a.m. while receiving treatment for a heart condition at Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital in Zanzibar.

News of his death has drawn condolences from across East Africa, with Ruto among the first regional leaders to publicly express sympathy to President Samia and the Tanzanian people in a message posted on X on Monday.

“I have received with deep sorrow the news of the passing of Hafidh Ameir Hassan,” Ruto said.

On behalf of the Kenyan Government, the First Lady, his family and himself, Ruto conveyed his condolences to President Samia, her family and Tanzanians.

“President Samia has lost a lifelong companion, her children a beloved father, and Tanzania a distinguished son,” he said.

Ruto also assured Tanzania of Kenya’s solidarity during the period of mourning.

“Kenya stands with our Tanzanian brothers and sisters in this moment of grief,” he said, asking Almighty God to comfort President Samia and her family and grant Hafidh eternal rest.

A private man who became Tanzania’s First Gentleman

Hafidh had largely remained away from the political spotlight despite being married to one of East Africa’s most prominent political figures.

He and Samia were married in 1978, long before she entered the highest levels of Tanzanian politics. The couple had four children, including three sons and a daughter. Their daughter, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, has also entered public life and has served as a legislator.

Hafidh was described in biographical accounts as an agriculturalist and academic, and he maintained a relatively low public profile throughout much of his wife’s political career.

His public role changed in March 2021 when Samia became Tanzania’s president following the death of President John Magufuli.

Samia made history as Tanzania’s first woman president, while Hafidh became the country’s first First Gentleman, the first man to occupy the presidential-spouse role.

Despite the historic nature of the position, Hafidh generally kept his personal life away from the centre of political attention, appearing occasionally alongside his wife at public and political events.

His death now brings an almost five-decade marriage to an end and leaves President Samia mourning not only a former First Gentleman, but the man who had shared her life from the early years of her adulthood through her extraordinary rise to the presidency.

Ruto’s message adds Kenya to the growing list of regional voices expressing solidarity with Tanzania following Hafidh’s death.

For President Samia, the loss is deeply personal. For Tanzania, it marks the death of a figure who entered the country’s history not through political office of his own, but through the extraordinary journey of the woman with whom he shared his life.

Burial arrangements are being made in Zanzibar, according to reports following the announcement of his death.