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• Two Kenyan police officers are among five citizens arrested in Tanzaniaafter tracking down a suspect without permission
• The officers were discovered carrying weapons during the operation, which did not coordinate with Tanzanian officials.
• The detention underscores ongoing transnational security issues between Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, and sparks inquiries about regional cooperation.

A journalist from .co.ke, Harry Ivan Mboto, has more than three years of experience covering politics and contemporary issues in Kenya.

Five individuals from Kenya, among them two police officers based in Mombasa, were taken into custody by Tanzanian officials on Tuesday, January 6.

The detentions occurred following the group’s unauthorized border crossing as they chased a suspect charged with fraud.

The police officers were recognized as Police Constable Ahmed Ali and Police Constable Patrick Kithinji, both affiliated with the crime unit at Tononoka Police Station in Mombasa.

They were stopped in the Horohoro region following their entry into Tanzania while chasing a suspect believed to have crossed the border to escape Kenyan law enforcement.

What was the reason for the arrest of Kenyan officers in Tanzania?

With them was a driver from the Coast Development Authority, who had been driving the car that was used in the chase.

All five people were arrested, and the officers were discovered carrying two Ceska pistols, each loaded with 15 bullets. The weapons were taken by Tanzanian officials as part of routine protocol.

As per a statement from Lungalunga Police Station in Kwale county, the operation was missing cooperation with Tanzanian security forces, which is essential for tracking down individuals across international boundaries.

The absence of communication led to the arrests, despite the officers carrying out what would typically be seen as proper law enforcement actions in Kenya.

This is not the first instance where Kenyan police personnel have been held overseas during their missions.

What effects do border disputes have on Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda?

.co.kepreviously stated that five detectives from Nairobi’s Buruburu sub-countywere held in Tanzania following their entry into the countrywhile investigating a car theft ring.

They were ultimately set free after diplomatic talks between the two countries. Cross-border security concerns have also consistently been a problem in the Lake Victoria area, where Kenyan and Ugandan officials have had several conflicts regarding control of the lake’s waters.

A significant incident took place in 2018, involving three Kenyan police officers and fourFishermen were detained by Ugandan authorities., leading to demonstrations by nearby residents.

At the same time, members of the Kenyan Coast Guard have occasionally detained Ugandan soldiers who were found within Kenyan borders.