AfriPulse
The 30-year-old soldier, who was armed with four grenades, entered Tanzania through the well-guarded Sirari border point Tarime-Rorya police commander said Tanzanian firearms law does not allow foreigners to enter the country with such weapons The arrest comes at a time when Kenya and Tanzania are embroiled in an unending diplomatic row A Kenyan-born national serving in the US military has been arrested in Tanzania carrying four hand-launched grenades.
A Kenyan-born US soldier was arrested in Tanzania with military grenades. Photo: Kali9/Alinanuswe Mwanguku.
Source: Getty Images Charles Onkuri Ongeta was nabbed by Tanzanian police at the Sirari border point while driving a Toyota Land Cruiser bearing registration number KDP 502 Y. Ongeta, 30, is serving in the US Army as a sergeant.
In a statement issued on Sunday, November 16, the Tarime-Rorya police commander said that further investigations were underway to establish the motive behind the suspect’s actions.
“Investigations are ongoing to establish the intention and recommend appropriate charges against the suspect,” read the report. Authorities said even if Ongeta had applied for a permit, the Tanzanian firearms law does not allow foreigners to enter the country with such weapons.
Is Kenya on good terms with Tanzania? Ongeta’s arrest comes at a time when Kenya and Tanzania are embroiled in a cold diplomatic row, exacerbated by the recent post-election protests.
President Samia Suluhu alleged that some of the protesters arrested during the clashes were from neighbouring countries.
Kenyans felt Suluhu targeted them in her remarks, as she had previously warned Tanzanian youth against emulating bad manners from Kenyan Gen Zs who were protesting the high cost of living at the time.
Before polls, Suluhu threatened to kick out foreign traders operating in Tanzanian towns, saying such small businesses should be left for Tanzanian nationals.
The crackdown was seen as another attempt by Suluhu to get rid of Kenyans dominating the hawking business in Dodoma and other towns.
On October 31, a Kenyan journalist was arrested in Lunga Lunga by individuals who identified themselves as security officers from Tanzania.
Shaban Shoka Juma was arrested while in the company of human rights activists who were on a fact-finding mission in Vanga, Kwale County.
The Nyota FM reporter was picked up by the officers at the Lunga Lunga–Horo Horo crossing point and taken to Tanzania, where he was detained.
In May, activist Boniface Mwangi and his Ugandan counterpart Agather Atuhaire were abducted in Dar el Salaam and tortured by security officers.
They were released and dumped at the border of their respective countries after days of torture and assault in the detention.
Were Kenyans killed in Tanzania’s post-election chaos? In the recently concluded election, which resulted in protests, two Kenyans were killed by the police, and several others were deta
Source: Tuko.co.ke | Read the Full Story…
