NPS Praises Diani Police Officers for Maintaining Calm During Assault by Dutch National
In the same announcement, the NPS commended the officers who were involved in the incident for exercising utmost restraint, patience, and professionalism.
The NPS yet again confirmed that it will not tolerate such conduct, regardless of the nationality or social standing of the perpetrator. Photo/courtesy
By Ruth Sang
The National Police Service (NPS) has strongly condemned the harassment of its officers following an incident where a foreign national is reported to have insulted and assaulted a police officer in Diani, Kwale County.
In a press statement by NPS Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, the service condemned the October 28, 2025, attack in which a Dutch national, Elwin Ter Horst, got involved in a confrontation with officers at Diani Police Station. Horst allegedly insulted the officers, used abusive language, and went further to spit on one of the officers. The confrontation was captured in a viral video that outraged Kenyans on social media.
Nyaga described the suspect’s behavior as “disrespectful, degrading, and absolutely unacceptable,” and said that it constituted a direct affront to the rule of law. “Any aggression — physical, verbal, or otherwise — against a police officer is an attack on the law itself and lowers the dignity of the National Police Service,” he stated.
The suspect has since been arraigned on several charges, including assault, malicious damage to property, causing a disturbance, and possession of narcotic drugs. The NPS yet again confirmed that it will not tolerate such conduct, regardless of the nationality or social standing of the perpetrator.
In the same announcement, the NPS commended the officers who were involved in the incident for exercising utmost restraint, patience, and professionalism despite being subjected to intense provocation. Nyaga stated that the officers’ behavior depicted the high standard of discipline that was demanded of the service.
The officers conducted themselves with absolute restraint, showing that professionalism and respect for human rights remain the core of policing in Kenya today,” Nyaga said. He added that this is in line with ongoing police reforms aimed at improving accountability, enhancing training for police officers, and promoting community-based policing.
He went on to note that the reforms are also in line with the NPS overall transformation agenda that seeks to provide officers with modern tools, improve their working conditions, as well as foster better relations with the public. “The service remains committed to professionalism, integrity, and respect for human dignity as the pillars of law enforcement,” he added.
Nyaga concluded by reminding the NPS’s commitment to public security and upholding the rule of law. He also reminded citizens and foreigners that Kenya’s police officers must be accorded respect as they carry out their legitimate duties. “The National Police Service will continue to safeguard the rights of everyone within our borders, while ensuring justice is served without fear or favor,” he said.
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