The National Police Service (NPS) has strongly condemned an incident in which a foreign national, Elwin Ter Horst, allegedly verbally assaulted police officers at the Diani Police Station in Kwale County.
According to NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, the incident occurred on October 28, 2025, and involved Horst, who is accused of using abusive and demeaning language toward officers performing their lawful duties.
“NPS condemns this act in the strongest possible terms, emphasizing that such conduct cannot and will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” said Nyaga.
In a video circulating online, Horst was seen hurling abuses at police officers and spitting on one of them. The Dutch national had previously been remanded for allegedly assaulting his Kenyan girlfriend, vandalizing property, and possessing hard drugs, and was awaiting arraignment.
Authorities also revealed that Horst had been living in Kenya illegally, as his passport had expired.
The NPS commended the officers involved for their restraint, professionalism, and composure in the face of provocation, noting that their conduct reflects the discipline and maturity expected of law enforcement personnel.
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Hussein Khalid, CEO of Vocal Africa, also condemned the incident, urging that the police and Kenyan courts take the matter seriously and prosecute the accused.
He further raised concerns over perceived double standards, stating, “Kenyans have rarely experienced such a calm and friendly response from police. I challenge the police: is it because he is a foreigner? If that had been a Kenyan, would this behavior have been tolerated?”
Horst later apologized, claiming that he suffers from psychosis, had not taken his medication, and was hungry. “Apology, I had psychosis. I need my medicine. I did not have water and food for a long time,” he said.
He pleaded for help, expressing a desire to live and invest in Kenya, stating that he had recently applied for a job and wanted to start a business. Despite his plea, the Diani court approved a police request to detain him for 14 days pending completion of investigations into drug trafficking allegations.
This decision followed the discovery of about three grams of a whitish substance in his room. Authorities believe Horst may have been intoxicated at the time of his arrest.
– By Timon Otieno
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