Five police officers from Buruburu Police Station were briefly detained in Tanzania’s Rombo area after crossing the border while pursuing suspects involved in motor vehicle theft. The incident occurred on the afternoon of Friday, May 24.
The officers were tracking a Kenyan suspect involved in a cartel that steals vehicles in Kenya and sells them in Tanzania. Acting on a tip, they arrested the suspect in Kenya, who then led them to an unofficial route used by the cartel to transport stolen vehicles into Tanzania. Unaware that they had crossed into Tanzanian territory, the officers continued their pursuit and arrested a Tanzanian suspect in Tarakea Town.
The Tanzanian suspect raised an alarm, prompting armed officers from the Tarakea Police Station to respond and detain the Kenyan police officers for illegal entry into Tanzania. Despite explaining their mission to apprehend a suspect involved in cross-border vehicle theft, the Kenyan officers were taken into custody in Rombo Mkuu.
Upon learning of the situation, the Kenyan police contacted their counterparts in Kajiado South, who, along with officers from Illasit, initiated negotiations for the release of the detained officers. Deputy County Commissioner Anthony Macharia led a delegation to Tanzania and met with the Rombo District Security Committee, which facilitated the release of the five officers.
The Kenyan suspect was also handed over to the Kenyan security team, although the Tanzanian suspect was not released to Kenyan authorities. The detained Kenyan suspect is currently being interrogated and will face charges related to the vehicle thefts.
The police emphasized the importance of international cooperation in tackling cross-border crime and reiterated the need for the Tanzanian suspect to be handed over for further questioning and prosecution. The investigation into the vehicle theft cartel, which is known for stealing vehicles in Kenya and selling them in Tanzania, is ongoing. Authorities noted that while some stolen vehicles are recovered, others are either dismantled for parts or altered to obscure their origins.
