Two Kenyan police officers have been arrested in Tanzania after allegedly crossing the border without authorisation while pursuing a suspect in the Horohoro area.
The officers, identified as Patrick Kithinji and Ahmed Ali from Tononoka Police Station in Kwale County, were detained on Tuesday, January 6, after entering Tanzanian territory in an attempt to arrest a suspect.
According to reports, the officers were tracking Omar Ali, who is wanted in Kenya on allegations of obtaining money by false pretences. Tanzanian authorities intercepted the pair while they were armed with two Ceska pistols, each loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition. The firearms were immediately confiscated.
In the same operation, Tanzanian police also detained Coast Development Authority chairperson Mzee Mwinyi Mzee, Sofia Mguza, and the driver of the vehicle, Abdikadir Adam Ganyure. All five suspects are expected to appear before a Tanzanian court on Wednesday, January 7.
The incident has drawn attention to cross-border law enforcement challenges between Kenya and Tanzania, particularly concerning jurisdiction and coordination during criminal investigations.
The arrests come months after another high-profile security incident at the Tanzania–Kenya border. In November 2025, Tanzanian police arrested Charles Onkuri Ongeta, a 30-year-old dual citizen of Kenya and the United States, at the Sirari border post.
Ongeta, who reportedly holds the rank of sergeant in the United States Army, was allegedly found in possession of four CS M68 hand grenades while attempting to enter Tanzania in a Toyota Land Cruiser. Tanzanian authorities said investigations were launched at the time to establish his intentions and determine appropriate legal action.
