McLaren
JF-Expert Member
- Feb 19, 2025
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Acting United States Ambassador to Tanzania, Andy Lentz, has expressed dissatisfaction with how the Government of Tanzania and the media handled the arrest of a US citizen found with weapons at the Sirari border.
Speaking in a special interview published by The Citizen on January 29, 2026, Ambassador Lentz described the public handling of the incident as “unfortunate” and “inappropriate.” He said the matter was unnecessarily amplified by both the media and government officials, stressing that the privacy of US citizens should be respected.
“It was very disappointing how the entire issue was blown up in the media and through some of the comments made by government officials. There are privacy issues concerning a US citizen that should be respected. I want to start with that. This was a matter that honestly should not have become a major news story,” he said.
The case involves the arrest of Charles Onkuri Ongeta, 30, a dual US and Kenyan citizen and a serving US Army sergeant. Ongeta was arrested on November 16, 2025, at the Sirari border while attempting to enter Tanzania from Kenya in a Toyota Land Cruiser with Kenyan registration number KDP 502Y.
According to a statement issued by the Tarime Rorya Regional Police, Ongeta was found in possession of CS M68 hand grenades. At the time, the Regional Police Commander said the grenades were prohibited weapons and that even with permission, the suspect would not have been allowed to enter the country with them under Tanzanian law.
Ambassador Lentz acknowledged that it was true the US citizen crossed the border but maintained that the incident did not warrant the level of public attention it received. He said the US Embassy had held serious discussions with the Tanzanian government regarding security and the privacy of approximately 140,000 Americans who visit Tanzania each year as tourists.
“Making this issue public was not appropriate,” Lentz said, adding that it is important for the United States to ensure its citizens receive their rights, including privacy protection and legal assistance, when detained, without being subjected to public humiliation.
Speaking in a special interview published by The Citizen on January 29, 2026, Ambassador Lentz described the public handling of the incident as “unfortunate” and “inappropriate.” He said the matter was unnecessarily amplified by both the media and government officials, stressing that the privacy of US citizens should be respected.
“It was very disappointing how the entire issue was blown up in the media and through some of the comments made by government officials. There are privacy issues concerning a US citizen that should be respected. I want to start with that. This was a matter that honestly should not have become a major news story,” he said.
The case involves the arrest of Charles Onkuri Ongeta, 30, a dual US and Kenyan citizen and a serving US Army sergeant. Ongeta was arrested on November 16, 2025, at the Sirari border while attempting to enter Tanzania from Kenya in a Toyota Land Cruiser with Kenyan registration number KDP 502Y.
According to a statement issued by the Tarime Rorya Regional Police, Ongeta was found in possession of CS M68 hand grenades. At the time, the Regional Police Commander said the grenades were prohibited weapons and that even with permission, the suspect would not have been allowed to enter the country with them under Tanzanian law.
Ambassador Lentz acknowledged that it was true the US citizen crossed the border but maintained that the incident did not warrant the level of public attention it received. He said the US Embassy had held serious discussions with the Tanzanian government regarding security and the privacy of approximately 140,000 Americans who visit Tanzania each year as tourists.
“Making this issue public was not appropriate,” Lentz said, adding that it is important for the United States to ensure its citizens receive their rights, including privacy protection and legal assistance, when detained, without being subjected to public humiliation.