Key points: Tanzanian police say a U.S. Army sergeant, identified as Charles Onkuri Ongeta, was arrested on Nov. 16 while attempting to cross from Kenya into Tanzania carrying four CS M68 grenades. The U.S. Army confirmed an arrest but declined to release details; Military Times could not independently verify the identification. The incident occurs amid ongoing unrest in Tanzania after October's disputed presidential election, and officials from both countries are said to be coordinating an investigation.
U.S. Army Sergeant Arrested at Kenya–Tanzania Border with Four Grenades, Officials Say
Key points: Tanzanian police say a U.S. Army sergeant, identified as Charles Onkuri Ongeta, was arrested on Nov. 16 while attempting to cross from Kenya into Tanzania carrying four CS M68 grenades. The U.S. Army confirmed an arrest but declined to release details; Military Times could not independently verify the identification. The incident occurs amid ongoing unrest in Tanzania after October's disputed presidential election, and officials from both countries are said to be coordinating an investigation.
12:18 AM, 11/19/2025Security
U.S. soldier detained at border amid tense post‑election climate
Tanzanian police say a U.S. Army sergeant was arrested Sunday while attempting to cross from Kenya into Tanzania with four CS M68 hand grenades.
Authorities identified the suspect as Charles Onkuri Ongeta, a 30‑year‑old described by police as a sergeant in the U.S. Army and a dual Kenyan‑U.S. citizen. He was stopped in a Toyota Land Cruiser, according to the Tanzanian police statement.
The U.S. Army confirmed that a soldier was arrested but did not provide additional details. Military Times reported it could not independently verify the identity or other specifics provided by Tanzanian authorities.
“We are aware that on November 16, 2025, a U.S. Army soldier was arrested attempting to enter Tanzania from Kenya with family members while attempting to visit relatives in Tanzania,” U.S. Army Europe and Africa spokesperson Terry L. Welch said in a Tuesday statement. Welch added that U.S. and Tanzanian officials are coordinating to address the matter.
The grenades were described as CS M68 devices. CS is commonly used as a crowd‑control agent (tear gas), and the M68 is a type of hand‑deployed CS grenade used for dispersal — authorities have not provided further technical details.
This arrest comes as Tanzania continues to experience unrest following October's presidential election, when several major opposition groups were barred from running. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has publicly blamed foreign actors for inciting some of the violence; at least one rights group has called that allegation "unsubstantiated."
Local and U.S. officials say they are investigating. No charges, court dates or further identity confirmations have been released publicly as of this report.