Outrage after viral video shows Dutch national insulting police officer in Diani

Screengrab of the Dutch national's tirade at Diani Police Station.

By Mary Wambui
Wednesday, October 29, 2025

The police have confirmed that the individual, identified as Dutch national Elwin Ter Horst, was filmed hurling profanities at an officer on duty inside Diani Police Station.

A viral video showing a foreign national verbally abusing a police officer at a police station has sparked public outrage and renewed calls for equal application of the law.

The police have confirmed that the individual, identified as Dutch national Elwin Ter Horst, was filmed hurling profanities at an officer on duty inside Diani Police Station.

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He had been arrested for allegedly assaulting a Kenyan woman and possessing a white substance suspected to be cocaine.

According to police, the arrest occurred after staff at Boma Banda Cottage in Diani, Kwale County, called officers to respond to a disturbance involving a guest who had reportedly assaulted his girlfriend and caused damage to property.

When officers arrived, they found the 32-year-old woman had already been rescued and taken to the hospital. The suspect had locked himself inside the cottage, and it took considerable time before he opened the door.

"The suspect was arrested and, upon a quick search, a whitish substance suspected to be narcotic drugs of about three grams was recovered from him, and he was escorted to the station where he was placed in lawful police custody while appearing drunk," a police report filed at the station stated.

Police said the suspect will face multiple charges, including assault causing actual bodily harm, malicious damage to property, and creating a disturbance in a police cell. The latter charge relates to an incident captured in the video, where he is seen throwing mucus at a uniformed officer.

The National Police Service (NPS) has yet to issue a statement.

However, the footage has triggered widespread debate online. Some Kenyans have praised the officers for exercising restraint, while others criticised them for not responding more assertively.

Activist Boniface Mwangi condemned the incident, stating: “Kenyan police have a reputation for being problematic, corrupt, and violent, but this level of disrespect toward a police officer is unacceptable. The foreigner captured in this video deserves to be prosecuted, jailed, and then deported. 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.”

He added that systemic reforms were needed to empower and professionalise the police service, including better pay, improved working conditions, and the right to unionise.

"Kenyan police fear whiteness and anyone who looks rich. As President, I shall send all current police officers for retraining and retire those who cannot be retrained. In my government, we shall pay police better, upgrade police stations to ensure better working conditions, and have officers live in the community. The police will be allowed to have a union to fight for their rights."

VOCAL Africa CEO Hussein Khalid echoed these sentiments, calling it a shame that the officers were subjected to such treatment.

"This incident in Diani, Mombasa, is a clear demonstration of professionalism at its finest. The tourist in question, reportedly high on heroin, became chaotic, violent, and disrespectful, even going as far as spitting and throwing mucus at the officers on duty. Yet, amidst the disorder, our officers stood tall, calm, composed, and unwavering. They chose discipline over emotion, law over impulse, and integrity over retaliation."

Paul Ouma added, "I commend this officer for his exceptional restraint, his mental strength, and his unwavering commitment to duty. This is the true face of service professionalism in chaos, patience in provocation, and courage in restraint. Kenya needs more officers like these men and women who wear the uniform not just with pride, but with honour and emotional intelligence."