Tourist attack on police officers in Diani exposes ills of foreigners at Coast

A viral video of a Dutch national snorting at a police officer in Diani Police Station has sparked outrage among netizens demanding his arrest, prosecution and imprisonment.

In the video, the Dutchman, identified as Elwin Ter Horst, is seen provoking two police officers at the reporting desk, hurling insults, blowing his nose at one officer, and physically attacking him.

The female and male officers remained calm despite the provocation and irritation from Horst, who bizarrely demanded that the officers leave the police station, claiming it was his private office.

According to police reports, Horst, who appeared intoxicated, had been arrested for assaulting his Kenyan girlfriend at a cottage in Diani and was being booked at the station when he became violent.

The Dutchman is heard using profane language while ordering the officers around. It was unclear who recorded the video as the tourist hurled abuse and physically attacked the officers.

“He is my employee, and you shut the **** up. Go there, I don’t want to see your ugly face anymore. You are an orangutan, not a cool guy; you are an *****. I want you to leave right now; get out of my office,” Horst is heard saying in the clip.

He went on to sarcastically ask for the officer’s shirt to wipe his face after blowing his nose on him, also calling him a loser.

Dressed in a light blue shirt and dark blue shorts, Horst is seen pacing around the police booking area freely, without any restraint.

At one point, he confronts the person recording the video and demands they stop, even challenging them to a fight.

“Who the **** are you, bro? You want to go against me? Come on, I will hit you. Stop filming me right now,” he shouts.

Crosshead

Later that morning, Horst appeared sober and subdued as he was escorted into a police vehicle wearing a pink T-shirt, a black backpack and holding a purple suitcase.

He claimed to have suffered a psychotic episode, saying he had not eaten or drunk water for a long time. He attributed his erratic behaviour to stress, which he said caused him to lose mental composure on the day of the incident.

“I had a psychosis. I need my medicine. I did not have water and food for a long time,” Horst said, identifying himself as ‘Mufasa.’

He later apologised for his actions, expressing regret and a desire to remain in Kenya.

“My apologies for shouting and misbehaving. I call on help from the people of Kenya. I am Mufasa. I want to stay and invest in this country. I have just applied for an investor permit. I want to do business here and help the people of Kenya. I will have respect, I promise,” said Horst when questioned by journalists about his conduct.

Horst had been detained at the station on Tuesday evening while intoxicated and was expected to be arraigned to face charges of assault, malicious damage to property, creating a disturbance and possession of narcotics. It was also established that he was staying in the country illegally, as his visa had expired.

Msambweni Police Commander Robinson Langat condemned the act of abuse, warning foreign nationals who violate Kenyan laws that strict legal action will be taken against them.

The police boss said Horst assaulted his girlfriend, Angela Atieno, who was rescued by the caretaker.

Police were forced to use a backdoor after he declined to open the door despite persuasion.

Langat said Horst maliciously damaged property at the hotel and was found with substances suspected to be cocaine.

“He turned violent at the police station where he spat and blew mucus at the officer,” said Langat.

Police said Horst will be charged with trafficking narcotics, assault, malicious damage to property, creating a disturbance, and being unlawfully in Kenya.

Horst’s case is not isolated. On September 2, two German nationals on tourist visas were arrested at a bhang plantation in Diani.

Diani police have reported several cases involving tourists and foreigners accused of various misdemeanours, including assault and intoxication, with some incidents ending tragically in death while in custody.

In 2012, Alexander Monson, the son of British aristocrat Lord Nicholas Monson, was found dead after spending a night at the Diani Police Station following his arrest for alleged possession of cannabis during a night out.