Police in Tanzania have arrested a 30-year-old Charles Onkuri Ongeta, a dual citizen of Kenya and the United States (US).
In a statement on Sunday, November 16, Tanzanian police said Ongeta was arrested at the Sirari border with four hand grenades while attempting to enter Tanzania.
The Tanzanian police also noted that Ongeta holds the rank of a sergeant in the US Army, was apprehended at around 12 noon.
“The Tarime Rorya Regional Police today, November 16, 2025, at around 12:00 PM, arrested Charles Onkuri Ongeta, 30, a dual citizen of the United States and Kenya, at the Tanzania–Kenya border point in Sirari.
“Ongeta, a U.S. Army soldier holding the rank of Sergeant, was found with four CS M68 hand-thrown grenades as he attempted to enter Tanzania from Kenya in a Toyota Land Cruiser with registration number KDP 502 Y,” read part of the statement.
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The police noted that Tanzania strictly prohibits the entry of explosives, and even with a permit request, he would not have been allowed to bring them into the country.
The Tanzanian authorities have launched investigations and are questioning Ongeta to determine his intentions before taking legal action against him.
“Evidence is still being collected, alongside ongoing questioning over the allegations, to ensure appropriate legal action is taken against him,” the police added.
This comes days after two Kenyan nationals who were arrested following the protests in Tanzania were released.
In a statement on November 8, the Kenyan High Commission in Tanzania said the two, Fredrick Lorent Obuya and John Gitahi, were released without charges.
Kenyan High Commissioner to Tanzania, Isaac Njenga, noted that the duo was released following efforts by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs through the Kenya High Commission in Tanzania.
“The High Commissioner, H.E. Ambassador Isaac Njenga, received two Kenyans who had been arrested in Tanzania following the protests of 29th October 2025 during the General Elections.
“Mr. Fredrick Lorent Obuya, a lawyer and tour operator, and Mr. John Gitahi Nderitu, a financial professional, were released without charges to the custody of the Kenya High Commission in Dar es Salaam. They thanked the Mission and looked forward to reuniting with their families,” the Commission stated.
Obuya was arrested by the Tanzanian security officers in Dar es Salaam on October 31, 2025. The businessman was traveling to Zanzibar on a work-related trip when he was taken into custody.
