King Willem-Alexander yesterday fulfilled his pledge to tackle the issue of human rights abuses in Kenya during his three-day State visit, urging President William Ruto to ensure that Kenyans’ rights as free citizens are upheld.
The announcement of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima’s visit, at the invitation of President Ruto, sparked controversy. Many Kenyans called for the trip to be cancelled following a harsh crackdown on young people involved in last year’s Gen Z protests, as well as critics of the government on social media. Several individuals were forcibly disappeared, with some later discovered dead weeks after vanishing.
More than 300 Kenyans emailed the Dutch royals, outlining the dire situation in the country and imploring them to refrain from visiting while Ruto remains in power. This prompted the Dutch government to view the visit as a chance to address these pressing concerns.
On Tuesday, during a brief statement at a joint press conference at State House, Nairobi, King Willem-Alexander declared: “The people of Kenya, much like those in the Netherlands, want their rights as free citizens to be respected and their voices to be heard. I’m pleased that the strong and mature relationship between our nations allows us to focus on matters such as human rights, good governance, and accountability during this visit.”
“We are grateful for the opportunity to discuss the concerns surrounding these issues. Later this morning, at the ambassador’s residence, we will meet with young Kenyans to listen to their perspectives on recent events. What opportunities do they envision for creating a bright future for the country they cherish? A future where everyone can participate equally,” he continued.
King Willem-Alexander also stressed that legal certainty is vital in this context and crucial for Kenya’s economic progress. The Royal Couple is joined by Foreign Affairs Minister Caspar Veldkamp, Foreign Trade and Development Aid Minister Reinette Klever, and Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans.
At State House, Nairobi, King Willem-Alexander and President Ruto held talks before overseeing the signing of several cooperation agreements covering tourism, trade, security, agriculture, and fisheries.
Later, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima laid a wreath at the Monument of the Unknown Warrior, paying tribute to those who fought for Kenya’s freedom and independence.
