Former President Jakaya Kikwete Inaugurates JMKF Foundation Aimed In Healthcare, Education

Former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete is looking ahead to do good for his countrymen. He inaugurated his foundation in Dar es Salaam on Monday that is learned to be focusing in healthcare, education, youth and governance sectors.

Dubbed as Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Foundation (JMKF), the newly formed foundation is aimed to serve fellow countrymen.

During the launching event Kikwete said, “My foundation will focus on four areas of healthcare, education, youth and governance.”

The former president added his foundation would closely work with the government and stakeholders to address problems of all his countrymen.

Born on 7 October 1950 at Msoga in the Bagamoyo District of Tanganyika, Kikwete ruled the country for ten long years from 2005 to 2015. He is a graduate from University of Dar es Salaam in economics. He was an active figure in youth movements during his earlier days. He was a leader in African liberation politics.

In later part of his life he focused on leadership skills in the military and retired from army from the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1992. He thereafter concentrated on politics.

Before becoming president he was the Minister of Foreign Affairs between 1995 and 2005 under Benjamin Mkapa leadership. Between 2008 and 2009 Kikwete served as Chairperson of the African Union and between 2012 and 2013 as Chairman of the Southern African Development Community Troika on Peace, Defence and Security.

The former president was an avid sports enthusiast in his youth days and played basketball in school. He was also a patron of the Tanzania Basketball Federation.

Kikwete has five children from Salma.