Incident Details and Arrest

A Dutch national, Elwin Ter Horst, is set for deportation from Kenya following his arrest on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, in the coastal town of Diani, Kwale County. The arrest followed an incident at the Boma Banda Cottage along Beach Road, where management reported Mr. Ter Horst for allegedly assaulting his 32-year-old Kenyan girlfriend, Angela Atieno Onduru, and causing malicious damage to property. According to a police report, when officers arrived, Ms. Onduru had already been taken to Diani Beach Hospital for treatment by the cottage's staff, while Mr. Ter Horst had barricaded himself inside his room. After a period of non-cooperation, he surrendered to the police. A search of his room uncovered approximately three grams of a whitish substance suspected to be narcotics.

Confrontation at Diani Police Station

Following his arrest, Mr. Ter Horst was taken to the Diani Police Station, where his behavior escalated significantly. A video that circulated widely on social media platforms shows a visibly intoxicated Mr. Ter Horst verbally abusing uniformed officers with obscene language. The footage captures him spitting and blowing mucus at a male police officer. Despite the extreme provocation, the officers involved remained composed, an act of professionalism that was later commended by the National Police Service (NPS). In a statement released on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, the NPS condemned the incident as "crass, despicable and utterly unacceptable," affirming that such conduct would not be tolerated.

Legal Proceedings and Deportation

Mr. Ter Horst was arraigned at the Kwale Law Courts on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. He faces multiple charges, including assault causing actual bodily harm, malicious damage to property, creating a disturbance, and possession of narcotic drugs. Investigations also revealed that his passport had expired, making his presence in Kenya illegal. Msambweni Police Commander Robinson Langat confirmed that authorities were processing his deportation. On Thursday, October 30, 2025, the court granted a request from the Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Rosemary Nandi, to detain Mr. Ter Horst for an additional 14 days at the Port Police Station to allow for the completion of investigations. The case is scheduled for mention on November 13, 2025.

Apology and Public Reaction

While being escorted by officers, Mr. Ter Horst issued a public apology, attributing his actions to a medical condition. “I had a psychosis episode. I need my medicine. I had not had water and food for a long time,” he stated, also identifying himself as 'Mufasa'. He expressed a desire to remain and invest in Kenya. However, his apology has done little to mitigate public outrage. The incident has sparked a robust national debate on social media about the conduct of foreign nationals in Kenya, particularly in tourist hubs. Many Kenyans have called for the equal and firm application of the law, regardless of a person's nationality. Human rights activist Boniface Mwangi was among the prominent voices condemning the double standards often witnessed, stating, "I can guarantee that if it had been a Kenyan who dared to do this to an officer, he would have been beaten to death. Kenyan police fear whiteness and anyone who looks rich." The incident has highlighted long-standing tensions and perceptions of preferential treatment for foreigners, prompting calls for greater respect for Kenyan laws and law enforcement officials.