Five DCI officers from Nairobi Buru Buru Police Station were arrested in Tanzania for allegedly trespassing while pursuing motor vehicle theft suspects
The officers, led by Corporal Ali Ibrahim, crossed into Tanzanian territory while chasing a suspect and were detained by Tanzanian police in Tarakea town
The arrested officers, along with a suspect named Samuel Ngatia, were moved to Rombo Mkuu District headquarters after mediation efforts for their release failed
Kajiado – Five Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) officers have been arrested in Tanzania.
The officers from Nairobi Buru Buru Police Station were briefly detained for allegedly trespassing when pursuing motor vehicle theft suspects.
In a police report seen by TUKO.ke, Ali Ibrahim of DCI reported that they were pursuing a suspect when they crossed into Tanzanian territory.
Their Tanzanian counterparts arrested the officers after they tried to apprehend an unknown man in Tarakea town.
“Today the 24th day of May 2024 we received a report from no. 72533 cpl Ali Ibrahim of Dci Buruburu that they were following up motor vehicle theft syndicate from Nairobi to Tanzania and they mistakenly entered Tanzanian territory without their knowledge. They were in company of one suspect namely Samuel Ngatia a suspect of motor vehicle theft.
“They arrested one Tanzanian name not known within Tarakea Town who raised an alarm and officers from Tarakea police station who were on patrol arrested the officers for the offence of being illegally present in Tanzania,” read the report in part.
Those arrested included police corporal Ali Ibrahim alongside constables Joel Osinya, Moses Wainaina, Josephat Mungania and Moses Kiongera, all from DCI Buruburu.
Where were Kenyan officers detained?
The authorities also detained Ngatia and a Tanzanian alleged to have been receiving stolen motor vehicles from Kenya. According to the police, the DCI officers were moved to Rombo Mkuu District headquarters after mediation attempts failed.
“The DCIO Kajiado South in company of stapol Illasit tried to negotiate for the release of the officers but it has proved futile and officers have been moved to Rombo Mkuu District headquarters. The Subcounty security intelligence team is following up the issue so that the officers can be released. Progress report to follow,”
continued the report. The officers were later released from custody following a high delegation meeting between police officers from Kenya and Tanzania.