Dutch government swats away criticism over royal visit to Kenya
President William Ruto and Mama Rachel Ruto during a meeting with King of the Royal Kingdom of the Netherlands, Willem Alexander and Queen Màxima at Noordeinde Palace, the Hague, Netherlands.
What you need to know:
- Dutch public broadcaster Nederlandse Omroep Stichting reported that the country's foreign ministry confirmed the visit is still on
- They said it would provide an opportunity to discuss the alleged violations by President Ruto's government
The Dutch government is swatting away an online volley of criticism over a planned European country’s royal visit to Kenya.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands plan to visit Kenya from March 18-20 on the invitation of President William Ruto.
And by Tuesday night, the Dutch Foreign Ministry was insisting the trip would be important to discuss a wide range of issues including human rights.
That stance emerged after the ministry received at least 300 emails from Kenyans asking the Dutch government to cancel the trip the royal family indicated would help strengthen bilateral relations.
The Nation sought a comment from the spokespersons of the Dutch Foreign Ministry but had not received a response.
However, Dutch public broadcaster Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS), reported that the country's foreign ministry confirmed the visit was still on as it would provide an opportunity to discuss the alleged violations by President Ruto's government.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, when contacted, also confirms on behalf of RVD (royal family) that they have received at least three hundred emails regarding the royal visit to Kenya, but they do not yet have the full picture and are still investigating," NOS reported.
“In a written response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also on behalf of the Government Information Service, stated that it is aware of the human rights violations in Kenya, ‘against which the Netherlands speaks out both publicly and in contacts with Kenyan authorities’ and that it sees the visit as an opportunity to ‘discuss difficult topics such as human rights violations.’”
A dispatch from the Royal House of the Netherlands last week said that the King and Queen of the Netherlands will make a three-day state visit to Kenya in March at the invitation of President William Ruto.
But following the announcement, whistleblower Nelson Amenya shared the relevant contacts and email addresses for Kenyans to send 'greetings' to the royal couple to cancel their visit.
"I am sure Kenyans would like to send some greetings to His Majesty the King of the Netherlands as he plans to visit President William Ruto. See contact details below," he said.
Another user who identified himself as Charles, urged the royal family to reconsider their trip, citing unresolved cases of abductions.
“With all due respect to King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, kindly reconsider this state visit in light of Kenya’s current political situation. Government critics have been abducted, and the Kenyan government has been unable or unwilling to investigate and provide full details,” he wrote.
“We, the citizens of this nation, kindly request the Netherlands and its citizens to think deeply before allowing a state visit to this country. Think wisely; there is trouble,” Mwenyeji, echoed similar sentiments.
The hashtag #CancelStateVisit has been trending on social media since the announcement was announced, with overwhelming calls for the Dutch royal family to reconsider their plans.
Kenyans online have cited human rights abuses, including the abduction and disappearance of perceived government critics and opposition figures from neighbouring countries.
The discontent stems from more than 80 reported abductions in the past six months, with human rights groups pointing the finger at state security forces. These incidents spiked after the distribution of AI-generated images showing political figures.
The trip, however, will mark the first state visit to Kenya by the Dutch royal family which it said will be a reaffirmation of the good relations and solid cooperation between our two countries, the dispatch released last week read in part.
“Kenya plays an increasingly influential role in the global arena. In addition, the Netherlands and Kenya maintain close economic relations, and both are major hubs and gateways to large regions,” it added.
“Within the UN and other international organisations, too, our two countries work together actively towards goals relating to democracy, the rule of law and independence of the judiciary.”
It further said that the two countries also work together on challenges relating to peace and security, climate change and food security.
The programme will reflect how the two countries are working together on a range of issues, the dispatch added.
These include “economic missions focusing on sustainable agriculture and water will take place in parallel with the King and Queen’s state visit,” it said.
The Netherlands is one of the biggest buyers of Kenyan flowers, making business relations especially important between the two countries.
Queen Maxima visited Kenya between October 23-25 2023, for a series of engagements in Nairobi and Kisumu including talks with President William Ruto.
She was visiting in her role as the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA), focusing on how financial inclusion can enhance climate resilience, digital public infrastructure, and financial health (or well-being) in the country.
