By Alex Wekesa
NAIROBI
The National Police Service (NPS) has issued a stern warning after a foreign national’s shocking behaviour inside a police station, emphasizing that any abuse of officers — verbal or physical — will face the full force of the law.
The incident took place on October 28, 2025, at the Diani Police Station in Kwale County, involving a Dutch national identified as Elwin Ter Horst.
Ter Horst was first arrested at a private cottage in Diani after reports that he had assaulted his girlfriend and caused property damage.
As officers from Diani Police Station intervened and arrested him, they recovered about three grams of a whitish substance suspected to be narcotics inside his room.
Once in custody, Horst’s misconduct escalated.
A viral video shows him shirtless, shouting profanities at officers, hurling insults and directing aggressive behaviour toward them.
At one point, he was captured spitting on an officer; authorities say he also blew mucus from his nostrils onto the uniform of an officer at the report office.
The NPS strongly condemned the conduct as “crass, despicable and utterly unacceptable,” reaffirming that firm and lawful action will be taken against any individual — citizen or visitor — who undermines law enforcement or disrespects officers performing their duties.
Horst faces multiple charges, including assault causing actual bodily harm, malicious damage to property, creating a disturbance, possession of suspected narcotics and being in the country illegally, after his passport was found to have expired.
In a statement, the NPS commended the two officers involved for their restraint, professionalism and composure in what was described as a case of “extreme provocation.”
The Service said their calm response reflects the ongoing police reforms aimed at enhancing discipline, human rights observance and modern policing standards.
What This Means for Visitors and the Public
The NPS made it clear that no one is above the law, and any form of harassment or assault on police officers in Kenya will not be tolerated — whether verbal, physical, or otherwise.
Visitors are reminded to respect Kenyan laws and institutions, with the Dutch national’s case already triggering deportation proceedings.
The Service further encouraged members of the public to channel their grievances through established accountability mechanisms, rather than resorting to intimidation, insults or violence.
