Tanzanian police have arrested a Kenyan who also holds U.S. citizenship and serves in the U.S. Army after claiming he attempted to enter the country with four hand grenades.
The incident, which happened on Sunday at the Sirari border, has deepened fears that relations between Nairobi and Dodoma are worsening and that Kenyans are increasingly being profiled under President Samia Suluhu’s government.
The arrest came only days after Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi confirmed the release of eight Kenyans who had been detained in several Tanzanian police stations following deadly protests linked to the disputed October 29 General Election.
Many Kenyans now believe these events point to a worrying pattern showing that the treatment of Kenyan citizens in Tanzania has sharply deteriorated.
Tanzanian authorities released a late-night statement saying the man they detained is a 30-year-old dual citizen and a serving sergeant in the U.S. military.
According to the police, he was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser from Kenya and was stopped before crossing the border.
Officers claim they found four CS M68 hand grenades inside the vehicle, leading to his immediate arrest and interrogation. They added that Tanzanian law does not allow any civilian or foreign military officer to enter the country with such explosives, even with prior permission.
Despite this explanation, many Kenyans remain doubtful. Analysts and residents near the border say Tanzania’s stance towards Kenyans has become increasingly aggressive in recent months. They point to multiple reports of harassment, abrupt arrests, confiscation of goods, and intimidation carried out by Tanzanian officers.
Mudavadi’s earlier announcement about the quiet release of eight Kenyans from custody confirmed fears that the detentions were happening without clear reasons.
The official statement from Tanzanian police lists the man’s dual nationality, his occupation in the U.S. Army, the four grenades allegedly seized, the location of the arrest, and the vehicle he was driving.
Yet these details have only raised more questions. Security experts argue that an arrest involving military-grade explosives would normally trigger regional or even international response teams, especially because a U.S. soldier is involved.
They also note that Tanzanian authorities have not shared images or independent proof of the grenades, something that adds to the growing suspicion.
Political tension inside Tanzania is also fuelling doubts. The country is still dealing with the aftermath of violent post-election protests, and many believe the government is now looking for external distractions.
International observers criticised the October 29 election, saying it lacked transparency, while human rights groups reported arrests of activists, journalists, and opposition figures. In this environment, the dramatic arrest of a Kenyan U.S. soldier appears to some as a convenient story to shift focus from domestic unrest.
Diplomats in Nairobi are watching closely. The case involves not only Kenya and Tanzania but also the United States, given the soldier’s military status. If Tanzania fails to provide solid evidence, the incident could easily turn into a diplomatic dispute.
Kenyan leaders are already under pressure to demand clearer answers from Dodoma and ensure the rights of their citizens are protected.
The soldier remains in custody as investigations continue. But the situation has already become a symbol of the growing mistrust between the two neighbours. Many Kenyans feel targeted, Tanzania is struggling to control its internal political tensions, and the region is left waiting for clarity in a case that could redefine cross-border relations in the days ahead.
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