Tanzania Denies Detaining Kenyan Intelligence Officers Found Trailing Raila in Zanzibar

Tanzania has denied claims that it is detaining three individuals suspected to be officers of the Kenyan National Intelligence Service (NIS).

The were reports that three officials were arrested in Zanzibar earlier this week after arriving in the Island to trail the movements Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga, who was on a four day visit to the Island.

Tanzania Inspector-General of Police Simon Sirro denied the reports, noting that his office was not aware of such arrests.

“I’m not aware of that and what is being speculated about is not true,” he said.

The denial by Tanzania police boss comes after the government of Zanzibar denied having any knowledge of the presence of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga on the Island.

“We haven’t received any information about his presence. However, we are following up the rumours of his presence,” said Mjini Magharibi Regional Police Commander Hassan Nasir Ali on Wednesday.

“If he is here, it is fine. But what I can say is that until now we have no information that he is coming,” Minister for State in the office of the Second Vice President Mohamed Aboud told the Citizen on Wednesday.

The National Super Alliance (NASA) leader jetted to Zanzibar on Sunday and returned to the country on Wednesday evening.

Raila's advisor Salim Lone said that Raila traveled to Zanzibar after the unrest witnessed in Nairobi on Friday and Sunday last week.