King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands highlighted human rights advocacy during his three-day State visit to Kenya. This coincided with mounting allegations of human rights abuses by the Kenyan government. The King was accompanied by Queen Máxima and three Dutch ministers. 

On Monday, before the royals’ arrival, Amnesty International Kenya said the visit followed violent attacks on peaceful demonstrations, with many protesters killed or injured by the authorities. “Over the past nine months, police officers have used excessive force against protesters, which has led to the deaths of over 60. Masked agents have abducted more than 80 activists, many of them Kenyan youth. Abductions and torture continue to happen with impunity,” said Irungu Houghton, Amnesty International Kenya Section Director.

According to the Associated Press (AP), more than 20,000 Kenyans signed the petition on Change.org asking Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima to reconsider their visit. Last month, the Dutch government received over 300 emails from Kenyans asking for the visit to be cancelled. However, the Netherlands government said the State visit would proceed as scheduled.

King Willem-Alexander on Tuesday said that Kenyans, like the Dutch, want their rights as free citizens to be respected and their voices to be heard. He added that the subject was up for discussion during his visit. “I am pleased that our countries’ strong and mature relationship allows us to devote attention during this visit to issues like human rights, good governance and accountability.”

The Kenyan government has been accused of arresting and detaining its critics. This is especially after the June 2024 anti-government protests, during which protesters stormed Parliament and torched a section of the building. The demonstrators were angry over new taxes passed by Members of Parliament.

Besides the crackdown on demonstrators and curbing free speech, Kenyans also saw state-linked abductions of those who used social media to publish posts that were deemed offensive to the Presidency.

Amnesty International Kenya has said that this visit must be an opportunity to place human rights at the centre of diplomatic relations between Kenya and the Netherlands.

“Amnesty International urges both Kenyan and Dutch ministers to publicly outline during the visit how human rights in Kenya will improve. Economic, military and other interests must not be prioritised at the cost of human rights,” Irungu said.

MoU and letter of intent

During the State visit, Kenya and the Netherlands signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and a Letter of Intent to boost trade between the two countries. The agreements were signed at State House Nairobi on the first day of the visit.

Two MoUs are on a Joint Trade Committee to foster bilateral trade and the Terms of Reference Agriculture Working Group to enhance agriculture in both countries. The third is aimed to encourage Dutch tourists and businesspeople to visit and invest in Kenya’s tourism sector.

The Letter of Intent is from Dutch company Invest International to fund two water projects: the Naivasha Special Economic Zone Water Supply and Sanitation Project and the Sabaki Bulk Water Supply Project for KSh423 million.

President William Ruto said these projects will enhance access to clean and reliable water, a fundamental pillar for sustainable development and economic progress.

He commended the entry of Invest Africa, a Dutch investment entity, into the Kenyan market, stating that it will provide much-needed capital for the country’s private sector.

King Willem-Alexander and President Ruto directed their ministers of Foreign Affairs to convene political consultations to define a clear pathway for cooperation on regional peace and security, climate change, multilateral engagement, and strategic development partnerships.

President Ruto said, “At a time of fraying partnerships, I urge their Majesties to maintain the Netherlands’ commitments to the principles of global solidarity and subsidiarity.”

The royal couple had a busy schedule during the visit. They met Kenyan youth and discussed their aspirations. The King called this “a wonderful opportunity to meet Kenyans from different backgrounds and foster closer ties between our two countries.”

Additionally, the King and Queen visited the Inland Container Depot at Naivasha. Here, they launched a direct cold-chain corridor from Kenya to Rotterdam, an initiative to revolutionise the transportation of perishable goods.

On their visit to the Supreme Court, they engaged the business community through the Kenya-Dutch Business Forum.

Kenya and the Netherlands have maintained close ties for more than 60 years. In recent years, strategic and economic relations have deepened. In addition, the two countries have a close economic hinterland.

Within the United Nations (UN) and other international organisations, the two countries work together actively towards goals related to democracy, the rule of law, and independence of the judiciary, as well as challenges around peace and security, climate change, and food security.