Tanzania has arrested a US soldier, who is a dual Kenyan-American citizen, for allegedly being in possession of grenades at the Sirari border.
According to a statement released on Sunday night by the Tanzania Police Force, 30-year-old Charles Onkuri Ongeta, holding the rank of sergeant in the United States Army, was found with four CS M68 hand grenades while attempting to enter Tanzania from Kenya.
The suspect was reportedly travelling in a Toyota Land Cruiser.
“A dual citizen of the United States and Kenya, a United States Army Soldier, holding the rank of Sergeant, was held on Sunday at noon hours while carrying four CS M68 hand grenades coming from Kenya,” Tarime-Rorya police commandant said in a statement.
The Tanzania Police Force noted that the possession of hand grenades is strictly prohibited, and even if the suspect had applied for a licence, entry would not have been permitted while in possession of the weapons.
Police confirmed that the suspect is undergoing interrogation and that authorities are gathering further evidence as part of legal proceedings.
The report, dated November 16, 2025, did not provide details on the soldier’s travel itinerary.
The arrest comes amid a nationwide crackdown on foreigners suspected of involvement in violent incidents following last month’s elections in Tanzania.
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan previously hinted at foreigners playing a role in post-election violence that left hundreds dead.
Speaking during her swearing-in ceremony following her re-election, President Suluhu described the unrest as uncharacteristic of Tanzanians, adding, “It did not surprise us to learn that some of the young people arrested in connection with those riots came from outside the country.”
Concerns have been raised that Kenyans may be disproportionately affected.
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi reportedly wrote to his Tanzanian counterpart seeking assurances regarding the safety of Kenyan nationals working in Tanzania.
In his letter, he highlighted recent cases, including the killing of a Kenyan teacher at Sky Schools in Dar es Salaam on October 29, 2025, and the detention of Kenyan national Fredrick Lorent Obuya on October 31, 2025, who reportedly remains held incommunicado at Oyster Bay Police Station.
Human rights groups in Nairobi expressed concern over statements by Tanzanian officials, cautioning that claims implicating foreign nationals, particularly Kenyans, in post-election violence are unfounded and pose serious risks to the safety of foreigners in the country.
A joint statement released on November 7, 2025, said, “We are deeply concerned by statements by Samia Suluhu Hassan and other state officials that foreign nationals, and particularly Kenyans, are responsible for the violence that has claimed hundreds of lives in recent days. These claims are unfounded and present serious risks to the safety of Kenyans and other foreign nationals.”
Tanzania police have stated that investigations into Ongeta’s alleged possession of the grenades are ongoing, with the suspect being processed under the law governing such offences.
Authorities continue to gather evidence and carry out interrogations as part of the ongoing legal procedure
