The planned state visit by His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima to Kenya will proceed as scheduled from March 18 to March 20, 2025, despite significant opposition from some Kenyan citizens. The Dutch government confirmed that the royal visit will go ahead after receiving over 300 emails from Kenyans urging its cancellation. The primary concerns raised in the emails centered on human rights violations, particularly following reports of abductions and disappearances of individuals critical of President William Ruto’s government.
Dutch public broadcaster Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS) reported that many of the critics of President Ruto’s administration have voiced opposition to the visit, citing the current state of human rights in Kenya. However, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reassured the public that the visit will remain on track. The ministry acknowledged the concerns expressed in the emails, emphasizing that the Netherlands has long been vocal on the issue of human rights violations in Kenya.
In a written response, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representing the Government Information Service (RVD), stated, “We are aware of the human rights violations in Kenya, against which the Netherlands speaks out both publicly and is in contact with Kenyan authorities.” The ministry also highlighted that the royal visit provides an opportunity to engage directly with Kenyan leadership on sensitive topics, including human rights issues. “The Netherlands sees the visit as an opportunity to discuss difficult topics such as human rights violations,” the statement continued.
The visit will mark the first state visit by Dutch royals to Kenya. During their stay, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima are expected to meet with President Ruto and other senior officials. The Royal House of the Netherlands confirmed that the primary objective of the visit is to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. In addition to discussing human rights, Kenya and the Netherlands will explore collaboration in areas such as sustainable agriculture, water management, and climate action, which are key areas of mutual interest.
