Ruto mourns death of Tanzania President Samia Suluhu’s husband Hafidh Ameir

President William Ruto has mourned the death of Hafidh Ameir Hassan, the husband of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who died on Monday, September 7, 2026.

Ameir died at about 8am at Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital in Zanzibar, where he had been receiving treatment for a heart condition, according to Tanzania’s Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi.

Ndejembi announced the death on Monday and said funeral arrangements were underway in Kizimkazi, Zanzibar.

Ruto expressed his condolences in a message directed at President Samia, her family and the people of Tanzania.

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

The Kenyan President described Ameir as a lifelong companion to President Samia, a beloved father to their children and a distinguished Tanzanian.

“Kenya stands with our Tanzanian brothers and sisters in this moment of grief,” Ruto said, while praying for comfort and strength for President Samia and her family and for Ameir to receive eternal rest.

Ameir lived much of his life away from the political spotlight despite being married to one of East Africa’s most prominent political figures.

He was an agriculturalist and academic and was known for maintaining a relatively private profile.

When Samia became Tanzania’s first woman President in 2021, Ameir assumed the ceremonial position of the country's First Gentleman, becoming the first man to hold the role.

The couple married in 1978, when Samia was still at the beginning of her professional and public-service journey.

They went on to have four children — three sons and a daughter.

Tanzania's State House biography confirms that President Samia is married to Hafidh Ameir and that they have four children.

Their daughter, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, later entered public life and became a politician, serving in Tanzania's legislative institutions.

Ameir's public profile remained considerably lower than that of his wife, even as Samia rose through Tanzania's political ranks.

Samia began her career in public service in Zanzibar before becoming a Member of Parliament and serving in ministerial positions.

She later became Tanzania's Vice President in 2015 under President John Magufuli.

Following Magufuli's death in March 2021, Samia was sworn in as Tanzania's sixth President and became the country's first female head of state.

Her elevation to the presidency brought greater attention to her family, but Ameir generally remained outside the centre of political affairs.

His role as First Gentleman was therefore largely defined by his position alongside the President rather than by active participation in government.

The announcement of Ameir's death has triggered messages of condolence from across the region, with Ruto becoming one of the first regional leaders to publicly mourn him.

Funeral arrangements are being made in Kizimkazi, the Zanzibar community closely associated with President Samia's family.