By Ongaga Ongaga
 A Dutch national whose CV revealed a string of international business ventures has found himself in the spotlight after a violent disturbance at a holiday cottage in Diani, Diani Cottage, Kwale County.
Officers from Diani Police Station responded to a call at the cottage on Beach Road, following reports that a guest was assaulting his girlfriend.
The victim, identified as 32-year-old Kenyan, was rescued by the caretaker and security guards and rushed to hospital.
The suspect, Elwin Ter Horst, a Netherlands national, had barricaded himself inside the unit and initially refused to surrender to police. After a tense delay he eventually opened the door and was arrested.
A search of the premises uncovered approximately three grams of a substance suspected to be cocaine, according to police reports.
Formal charges filed by the police include assault causing actual bodily harm, malicious damage to property, creating a disturbance, possession of narcotic drugs and creating a disturbance in a police building.
He remains in custody awaiting arraignment and further investigation.
The Irony
What makes the story all the more striking is Ter Horst’s previously declared professional profile.
According to his LinkedIn page, he is described as a “Renewable Energy & Real Estate entrepreneur” based in Nairobi County, Kenya.
He lists himself as having an international scope of operations, specialising in property management and the development of solar and wind energy projects.
More specifically, reports suggest he holds a Master of Science degree in Technical Business Sciences from the University of Groningen and a project-manager accreditation (IPMA-C).
Despite the polished business background, his conduct during the arrest has triggered public outrage and raises questions about the gap between the professional image and the behaviour exhibited.
Kenyan security sources suggest the suspect may also have been in the country illegally, with an expired passport under review for deportation.
Local police officials commended their officers for maintaining composure under provocation while the headline-making incident continues to draw widespread attention.
The juxtaposition of a seemingly accomplished expat professional and a chaotic arrest at a beachfront cottage has heightened the scrutiny.
As investigations proceed, questions remain about his business dealings, immigration status and the immediate circumstances that precipitated the incident.