President William Ruto and King of Netherlands Willem-Alexander
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The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially acknowledged receiving over 300 emails from Kenyans urging the cancellation of an upcoming state visit by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, scheduled for March 18-20, 2025.
This unprecedented visit, which marks the first instance of a Dutch royal couple visiting Kenya, has generated significant controversy amid growing discontent with President William Ruto's administration. Many Kenyans have expressed their concerns regarding the current political climate, particularly highlighting recent human rights violations, including abductions and disappearances of government critics. These issues have served as the basis for calls to dissuade the Dutch Royal Family from proceeding with their planned visit.
"Foreign Affairs confirms when asked, also on behalf of the RVD, that they have received at least three hundred e-mails about the royal visit to Kenya but do not yet have the full picture and are still investigating this," a report from NOS stated.
Despite these widespread concerns, the Dutch Foreign Affairs Ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to the visit, stating it will move forward as scheduled. The Ministry underscores the importance of this engagement, noting that it presents an opportunity to directly address human rights issues with the Kenyan authorities.
According to a report by the Dutch public broadcaster Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS), the primary objective of the visit is to enhance partnerships and strengthen ties between the Netherlands and Kenya. Discussions are anticipated to focus on areas of mutual interest, including sustainable agriculture, water management, and climate action. Crucially, the visit may also serve as a platform for constructive dialogue regarding the pressing human rights concerns raised by the Kenyan public.
"The Netherlands speaks out against human rights violations both publicly and in private discussions," the Ministry stated in a written response.