Dutch National Freed After Assaulting Girlfriend and Police Officer in Diani

A Dutch national, Elwin Ter Horst, who caused chaos in Diani, has been released. He was arrested two weeks ago after attacking his girlfriend and a police officer. He will not face charges for now.

Kwale Senior Resident Magistrate Joy Mutimba said Ter Horst is medically unfit to plead. A mental assessment found he suffers from bipolar mood disorder with polysubstance use. “The accused is not fit to plead,” she ruled. He will be placed under the care of the Dutch Embassy in Nairobi.

Police reports say the violence began at Boma Banda Cottage along Beach Road, where Ter Horst had checked in with his girlfriend, Angela Atieno Onduru, 32. Witnesses said he attacked her inside the property. Hotel staff and security rescued her. She was rushed to a nearby hospital.

Officers from Diani Police Station responded quickly. They found Ter Horst had locked himself in the cottage. Police and hotel staff waited hours before he opened the door. They recovered a whitish substance, suspected to be cocaine, weighing about three grams. Viral footage showed him blowing his nose on an officer while in custody. He was reportedly drunk during the arrest.

Ter Horst faced multiple charges, including assault causing actual bodily harm, malicious damage to property, creating a disturbance, and possession of narcotic drugs. However, the court ruled he will not be charged while mentally unwell.

The case has raised concerns about tourist safety and managing suspects with mental health issues. Authorities urge residents and visitors to report violent incidents and ensure proper care for those in need.

Ter Horst’s release under embassy supervision marks the next step in a case that shocked Diani. The community continues to follow developments closely as officials monitor his condition.