A Dutch national who was captured in a viral video assaulting two police officers at the Diani Police Station in Kwale County has been freed after the court ruled that he is mentally unfit to stand trial.
The man, identified as Elwin Ter Horst, had been arrested following an incident on October 29, 2025, in which he allegedly attacked officers who were escorting him and his girlfriend to the airport. The footage of the confrontation was widely shared online, sparking public debate and calls for accountability.
During a hearing on Friday, November 14, the Kwale court determined that Ter Horst could not be charged with the offence after medical assessments revealed that he suffers from bipolar disorder, a mental health condition marked by extreme mood variations.
According to psychiatric reports presented in court, bipolar disorder can cause periods of unusually elevated energy and activity, known as manic episodes, as well as episodes of deep depression. Symptoms of mania include excessive excitement, rapid speech, and reduced need for sleep, while depressive episodes are characterised by sadness, hopelessness, and low energy.
Given the findings, the court ruled that Ter Horst was not fit for trial, paving the way for authorities to initiate procedures for his deportation, as noted in earlier reports.
The ruling brings closure to a case that drew significant attention due to the nature of the incident and the mental-health considerations involved. Authorities have not provided further details on when the Dutch national is expected to leave the country.
By Kenyans