Why Kenyan Police Officers Were Arrested in Tanzania

Five Kenyan police officers are being held in Tanzania over allegations of trespass.

The group was trailing a motor vehicle theft syndicate when they entered Tanzania.

According to a police report seen by Nairobi Leo, the law enforcers were in the company of a member of the syndicate who was leading them to his colleagues' hideouts when they stepped into Tanzania obliviously.

"They were following up on a motor vehicle theft syndicate from Nairobi to Tanzania, and they mistakenly entered Tanzanian territory without their knowledge. They were in the company of one suspect, namely Samuel Ngatia, a suspect of motor vehicle theft," partly read the report.

Upon entering Kenya's southern neighbour's territory, they arrested another suspected thief, a Tanzanian, who alerted the officers on a patrol mission in Tarakea Town.

The Tanzanian officers apprehended their Kenyan counterparts and detained them at the Tarakea Police Station; the offence they placed on the Kenyans was being illegally present in Tanzania.

The officers, all attached to the Buruburu Police Station, have been identified as Ali Ibrahim, Joel Osinya, Moses Wainaina, Josephat Mungania, and Moses Kiongera.

Also in custody with the officers was the Kenyan suspect named Samuel Ngatia and a Tanzanian who had been receiving stolen motor vehicles from Kenya.

Efforts by the Kajiado South director of investigations to negotiate for the release of the officers failed.

They were transferred from Tarakea to Rombo Mkuu District headquarters.  

The Kenyan authorities said they were following up on the matter.