Tanzanian police arrest US-Kenyan soldier with hand grenades at border
By Kenneth Mwenda, November 17, 2025Tanzanian police have arrested a United States Army sergeant who is also a Kenyan citizen for attempting to enter the country with explosives. The arrest took place on November 16, 2025, at 12:00 pm at the Sirari border with Kenya.
The soldier was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser when officers stopped him. During a routine inspection, police found four CS M68 hand grenade explosives in the vehicle.
The Tarime-Rorya Regional Police Commander issued a statement confirming the arrest.
“The Police Force in Tarime Rorya informs the public that on November 16th, 2025, at 12:00 hours, officers at the Kenya-Tanzania border (Sirari) arrested Charles Onkuri Ongeta, aged 30, a dual citizen of Kenya and the United States of America and a Sergeant in the United States Army,” the statement read.
“The suspect was attempting to enter Tanzania from Kenya in a Toyota Land Cruiser, registration number KDP 502 Y and was found in possession of four (4) CS M68 hand grenade explosives.”
The release added that:
“According to Tanzanian laws governing the possession of arms and ammunition, such explosives are prohibited, and permission to enter the country with them cannot be granted under any circumstances.Collection of evidence regarding the allegations is currently ongoing. Upon completion of investigations, appropriate legal measures will be taken in accordance with the law.”
Post-election violence fallout
The arrest comes weeks after Tanzania experienced violent protests following the disputed October 29, 2025, general election. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has previously highlighted that some of those arrested during the unrest were foreigners.
“Wote tunaoitakia mema nchi hii, tumehuzunishwa na matukio ya uvunjifu wa amani, upotevu wa maisha na uharibifu wa mali kwenye baadhi ya maeneo. Kilichotokea hakiendani na taswira na sifa za Kitanzania, na sio Utanzania. Haikutushangaza kuona kuwa baadhi ya vijana waliokamatwa wametoka nje ya Tanzania,” she said during her second-term swearing-in ceremony on 3rd November 2025.
The US-Kenyan soldier’s arrest has drawn attention amid concerns about the safety of foreign nationals in Tanzania. The United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee warned that post-election violence in Tanzania posed risks to neighbouring countries, including Kenya.
“Tanzania’s ruling party has created an environment of fear that challenges the security of the country and neighbouring countries,” Senators Jim Risch and Jeanne Shaheen said.
Kenyan authorities have also expressed concern about the safety of their nationals following unrest in Tanzania. Several Kenyans were caught up in election-related violence, with reports of deaths and detentions in Dar es Salaam and Arusha.
Human rights groups have condemned statements by Tanzanian officials blaming foreigners for the unrest, warning that such claims put expatriates at risk.
Border security has been heightened in recent years due to concerns over illegal arms and cross-border crime.