2 Kenyan Officers & 3 Civilians Who Were Arrested in Tanzania Released

Tanzanian authorities have released two Kenyan police officers along with three civilians who had been held in custody.

According to a police statement, the five were initially detained at Horo-Horo One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) following a joint review by Kenyan and Tanzanian officials.

The officers, Patrick Kithinji and Ahmed Ali from Tononoka Police Station in Mombasa, were taken into custody on January 6, 2026, alongside civilians Mzee Mwinyi, Sophia Menza Mbogo, and Abdikadir Adan.

Reports indicate that the Kenyan officers were pursuing a suspect across the border. The suspect, named Omar Ali, is alleged to have committed fraud in Tononoka, involving the obtaining of money by false pretence.

During the arrest, the officers’ firearms and a government vehicle from the Department of Water Development were seized by Lungalunga police in Kwale County. The weapons included two Ceska pistols, each loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition, and remain in custody pending further police investigation.

The release follows discussions between authorities from both countries, highlighting the ongoing cooperation on cross-border crime matters.