Tanzania releases two Kenyan officers, 3 civilians from custody

Tanzanian authorities have released two Kenyan police officers and three civilians from custody.

A police report confirmed that the five who had earlier been arrested at Horo-Horo One-Stop Border Point (OSBP) after a joint briefing by both government agencies.

Officers Patrick Kithinji and Ahmed Ali of Tononoka police station, Mombasa, were arrested on January 6, 2026, alongside Mzee Mwinyi, Sophia Menza Mbogo, and Abdikadir Adan.

An earlier police report indicated that the officers were attempting to apprehend a suspect on the neighbouring country’s soil. 

They claimed that the suspect, identified as Omar Ali, was being pursued over an offence of obtaining money by false pretence that allegedly occurred in Tononoka. 

However, their firearms and the government motor vehicle belonging to the Department of Water Development were detained at Lungalunga police station in Kwale County, pending further internal police action.

The firearms included two Ceska pistols, each loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition.