Kenyans on social media have implored King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands to reconsider their planned historic state visit to Kenya. The visit, set to take place from Tuesday, March 18, to Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the invitation of President William Ruto, aims to strengthen bilateral relations. However, growing unrest among Kenyans has cast a shadow over the trip, with accusations of rampant abductions targeting government critics fueling the outrage.
The online outcry began with Nelson Amenya, a Kenyan-born whistleblower and brand designer, who posted the Royal House of the Netherlands’ contact details on X (formerly Twitter). Amenya encouraged Kenyans to write directly to the Dutch royals, urging them to cancel the visit, citing a wave of kidnappings attributed to state security agents.
Amenya, known for exposing controversial negotiations involving Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and an Indian company, Adani, shared a copy of the official visit letter and stated, “I’m sure Kenyans would like to send some greetings to His Majesty the King of the Netherlands as he plans to visit Kaongo.”
The post triggered a wave of responses, with many Kenyans sending emails, sharing screenshots, and amplifying the message online. One X user, @SuraThatOne, wrote, “To the Dutch King, know you’re dealing with a man and a government that eats its own.” Another @BellaPringles, pleaded, “We kindly urge the Dutch government to reconsider its engagement with President Ruto’s administration and use its influence to advocate for accountability, justice, and the protection of human rights in Kenya.”
The discontent stems from over 80 reported abductions in the past six months, with human rights groups pointing fingers at state security forces. These incidents spiked after the distribution of AI-generated images depicting the president in a coffin, which sparked youth-led protests.
Despite the turmoil, the Royal House of the Netherlands confirmed the state visit, emphasizing Kenya’s growing influence globally and the two countries’ collaboration on democracy, peace, and climate change.
While the Dutch royal visit seeks to bolster relations and explore sustainable agriculture and water management, critics argue that the Kenyan government’s human rights record undermines these goals.
Unionizing efforts by Kenyan citizens reflect widespread frustration, with users like @TheMind848705 urging, “Let’s overload that email address. For those in Europe, make phone calls. The rest of us should amplify the hashtag like we did with the IMF.”
As Kenyans continue to voice their concerns, the fate of the royal visit hangs in the balance, underscoring the tension between international diplomacy and domestic accountability.
