The tense diplomatic relations between Kenya and Tanzania appear to have taken another twist after the arrest of 109 Tanzanian fishermen in Kwale County.

The fishermen were arrested on Saturday by Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) officers attached to the Kenya Navy for engaging in illegal fishing within Kenya's territorial waters in Shimoni area.

Lunga Lunga Deputy County Commissioner Josphat Biwott confirmed the arrest, adding that the fishermen were apprehended after they were found violating territorial limits of the country.

They were were  later arraigned in court on Monday before being held in remand after they were unable to raise a cash bail of Sh20,000 each.

The incident adds on to a list of numerous diplomatic rows that have in the past one year affected relations between Kenya and Tanzania.

In November last year, Foreign Affairs Political and Diplomatic Secretary Tom Amollo castigated Tanzanian officials after they burnt 6,400 chicks belonging to a Kenyan trader.

Days later, Tanzania's President John Magufuli ordered the auctioning of 1,305 heads of cattle belonging to Kenyan Maasai herders who had crossed over to Tanzania.

Hours after Kenyan diplomatics complained over the auction, the Tanzanian president issued a terse statement warning Kenya that his country was not a grazing field for animals.

“Tanzania is not a feeding farm for animals from other countries and that is why we have stated that we are going to take action as per the law, and we want to tell our neighbours to take measures based on their laws once our animals go graze in the countries," Magufuli stated.