Two Kenyan police officers are among five people who were arrested by Tanzanian authorities at the Horohoro area in Tanzania after attempting to apprehend a suspect on the neighbouring country’s soil.
They were, however, released hours after their arrest, officials said.
This was after Kenya sought their release. Kenya sent a team to Tanzania where a meeting was held that led to their release.
The firearms and government vehicle that the group was using were detained at the Lungalunga police station pending further investigations, police said.
The officers attached to the Tononoka Police Station crime office – were arrested on January 6, 2026, while attempting to apprehend a suspect across the border.
The officers claimed they were in the pursuit of a suspect identified as Omar Ali, over an offence of obtaining money by false pretence that allegedly occurred in Tononoka area in Kenya.
The Tanzanians confronted the team at gunpoint accusing them of being there illegally while armed.
The Kenyan officers were found in possession of two Ceska pistols each loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition, which were confiscated by Tanzanian authorities at the time of arrest.
The two officers were in the company of a driver attached to the Coast Development Authority, his boss and wife and were travelling in a government vehicle.
The complainant was a senior employee at the Coast Development Authority, officials said.
Police said they are investigating the incident for further action. Officials argued the Kenyan team needed to inform their Tanzanian counterparts of their intentions to pursue the suspect.
The suspect was not arrested and is believed to be hiding in Tanzania, police said.
After the deliberations, the five were handed over to Kenya for further action, officials said. Kenya and Tanzania share an expansive border and are key trading partners.
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