His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands on Tuesday, March 18, stressed to President William Ruto the need to respect the rights of Kenyans and maintain good governance during his State visit to Kenya.
Speaking at State House, the King sent the message to Ruto at a time when there is enhanced scrutiny on Ruto over the recent spate of abductions and enforced disappearances as well as the general lack of adherence to human rights.
Further, police brutality and extra-judicial killings have led to local and international human rights organisations calling for urgent reforms and pointing an accusing finger at the President over the incidents.
“The people of Kenya want their rights as free citizens to be respected and their voices to be heard,” King Willem stated.
“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. We are grateful to have the opportunity to discuss the concerns that exist in these areas,” he added.
The message, while appearing harmless, seemingly came with a cryptic message to Ruto who faced massive criticism for his reaction to the Gen Z-led protests of July to August 2024. At the time, many Kenyans highlighted his lack of acknowledgment of the loss of human life and injuries sustained by the youth,s particularly in the initial phase of the protest.
In his first address to the nation at the onset of the protests, Ruto ruffled the feathers of the masses after he termed the protesting youths ‘criminals’. However, Ruto adopted a conciliatory tone as the protests went on, but in the eyes of many, the damage had already been done.
At the same time, the Dutch king revealed that he was set to meet Kenyan youth to discuss matters on governance and accountability of the government.
“Later this morning, in the ambassador’s residence, we will be meeting young Kenyans to hear their views on recent developments. What opportunities do they see to build a bright future for the country that they love?” the King expressed.
The King’s three-day official visit was marred by controversy after numerous Kenyans both in Kenya and in the Netherlands filed petitions and provided signatures seeking the postponement or outright canceling of his visit.
The impending visit was further compounded after a section of Dutch Members of Parliament raised concerns over the timing of his visit to Kenya.
The MPs, mostly from the opposition, questioned the safety of the King during his visit after a report by Amnesty International and other non-governmental organisations that highlighted the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country.
Even so, the King and his wife Queen Máxima proceeded with their visit which resulted in Kenya and the Netherlands signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) deepening bilateral relations between the two countries in the areas of trade, tourism, and agriculture.
Here is the breakdown of the agreements.
Key Agreements Signed Between Kenya and Netherlands
Joint Rate Committee on Trade and Investment
This deal establishes a platform for ongoing dialogue between Kenya’s Ministry of Trade and its Dutch counterpart. The committee will boost trade and investment opportunities and foster economic collaboration between the two nations.
Terms of Reference for Agriculture Working Group
The second agreement lays the groundwork for a cooperative framework to advance agricultural priorities in Kenya. The two will focus on innovation and sustainable practices to bolster Kenya’s agricultural sector.
Tourism Sector Collaboration
The third agreement targets Kenya’s tourism industry, with the Netherlands partnering with Kenya’s Ministry of Tourism to promote Kenya's tourism sector and attract diverse investments. This move is expected to enhance Kenya’s appeal as a global tourism destination.
