Two Kenyan Police Officers Detained in Tanzania After Crossing Border to Arrest Suspect

Wanyoike Mwangi January 7, 2026

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The man drove off and had covered 40 kilometers when police tracked the ambulance by GPS. | FILE

Two Kenyan police officers have been detained in Tanzania after crossing into the neighbouring country in pursuit of a suspect in the Horohoro area.

The officers, Patrick Kithinji and Ahmed Ali, who are attached to Tononoka Police Station in Kwale County, were arrested on Tuesday, January 6, by Tanzanian authorities.

According to reports, the two officers had crossed the border while pursuing a suspect identified as Omar Ali, who is wanted over allegations of obtaining money by false pretence.

At the time of their arrest, the officers were reportedly armed with two Ceska pistols, each loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition. Tanzanian authorities confiscated the firearms upon detaining the officers.

In the same incident, Tanzanian police also detained Coast Development Authority (CDA) chairman Mzee Mwinyi Mzee, Sofia Mguza, and Abdikadir Adam Ganyure, who was the driver of the vehicle involved.

The five suspects are expected to be arraigned in a Tanzanian court on Wednesday, January 7.

The development comes months after Tanzanian authorities arrested Charles Onkuri Ongeta, a 30-year-old dual citizen of Kenya and the United States, at the Sirari border point.

In a statement issued on November 16, Tanzanian police said Ongeta was apprehended while attempting to enter Tanzania from Kenya with four hand grenades.

“The Tarime Rorya Regional Police today, November 16, 2025, at around 12:00 PM, arrested Charles Onkuri Ongeta, 30, a dual citizen of the United States and Kenya, at the Tanzania–Kenya border point in Sirari,” the statement read.

Police added that Ongeta, who holds the rank of Sergeant in the US Army, was found with four CS M68 hand-thrown grenades while travelling in a Toyota Land Cruiser registration number KDP 502Y.

Authorities said investigations were launched immediately to establish his intentions.

“Evidence is still being collected, alongside ongoing questioning over the allegations, to ensure appropriate legal action is taken against him,” the police stated.

The latest arrests highlight growing security sensitivity along the Kenya–Tanzania border, particularly involving cross-border movements by armed individuals.