Dutch King and Queen to begin four-day state visit to Kenya on Tuesday

In a communiqué, the Kingdom of Netherlands said the King and Queen will be accompanied by a delegation of Dutch ministers to explore investment opportunities and strengthen partnerships between the two countries. 

The delegation comprises companies specializing in agriculture, horticulture, irrigation, water infrastructure, and sustainable financing.

"This four-day business mission (March 17-20) aligns with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands’ commitment to enhancing trade relations, strengthening food security, and advancing sustainable water solutions," read the statement in part.

The Dutch government added that the mission aims to promote collaborative initiatives that support Kenya’s agricultural and water management goals, paving the way for long-term economic development.

In line with achieving an effective mission, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kenya will host a seminar on Monday, March 17, at Hyatt Regency, Nairobi.

The seminar will hold talks focusing on investment opportunities, public-private partnerships, and innovative solutions to enhance food production and water resource management.

In mid-January Kenyans online sent about 300 e-mails to the Dutch government, urging them to cancel the visit citing the country’s prevailing state of affairs. 

The Royal House of the Netherlands had stated that the visit is at the invitation of President William Ruto and represents a watershed moment in the two countries relationship.

These Kenyans had cited, among other things, human rights violations such as abductions and enforced disappearances of perceived government critics as well as opposition figures of neighbouring countries.

According to the Dutch public broadcasting organisation Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS), the country’s Foreign Affairs ministry confirmed the myriad e-mails, but insisted that the visit was still on as it will present an opportunity to discuss the alleged violations by President Ruto's government.

Amnesty International has called on both nations to prioritise human rights during their meeting, address human rights violations and commit to accountability for all victims following the recent brutal crackdown on human rights.