Tension is simmering in Diani after Dutch national Elwin Ter Horst, who was filmed aggressively attacking police officers, walked free following a medical assessment that revealed he suffers from bipolar disorder. His release has triggered a storm of emotion, raising hard questions about justice, privilege, and the unequal way the law is often enforced.
The incident, which shocked the coastal town, unfolded when police responded to a disturbance at a beach hotel. What followed was a chaotic confrontation: Ter Horst, visibly agitated and unrestrained, shoved and struck the officers as they tried to calm him down. Residents watched in disbelief as the video spread online, fueling anger over how a foreigner could dare to assault uniformed officers on Kenyan soil.
But the emotional shock took a new turn when authorities announced that Ter Horst would not be charged immediately. Instead, he was released on the grounds that he was undergoing a severe bipolar episode, an explanation that has stirred fierce debate.
Mental-health advocates insist that untreated bipolar disorder can trigger unpredictable, dangerous behavior. They argue that compassion and treatment, not punishment, are appropriate in such cases. Yet many Kenyans feel betrayed, asking why the law seems to bend more gently when the suspect is a foreigner.
📰 Also Read This:
Community leaders in Kwale have questioned whether a Kenyan citizen who assaulted police would ever be released so quickly. Opposition politicians have picked up the issue, accusing the government of double standards and demanding a review of how similar cases involving locals are handled.
“Justice must be equal, whether you are a visitor or a citizen,” one local activist said, capturing the frustration spreading through the region.
Police have maintained that they acted based on medical advice, emphasizing that the case remains open and that Ter Horst will be monitored as he undergoes psychiatric care. But the political pressure is mounting, with critics calling for transparent updates to avoid eroding public trust.
For now, Diani remains emotionally divided, between compassion for a man struggling with mental illness and deep resentment over what many see as preferential treatment. The incident has forced the nation into a painful but necessary conversation about mental health, the dignity of law-enforcement officers, and the uncomfortable politics of justice when foreigners are involved.
