Dutch King Emphasizes Human Rights During State Visit to Kenya

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands highlights human rights issues during his state visit to Kenya, strengthening diplomatic ties.

On Tuesday, during a state visit to Kenya, the Dutch king addressed the human rights situation of Kenyans amid increasing allegations of abuses. King Willem-Alexander stated in Nairobi, “The people of Kenya, like those in the Netherlands, seek respect for their rights as free citizens and wish for their voices to be acknowledged.” He indicated that this topic would be part of the discussions during his visit.

“I am pleased that the robust and mature relationship between our nations allows us to focus on important matters such as human rights, good governance, and accountability during this visit,” Willem-Alexander remarked. Over 20,000 Kenyans have signed a petition on Change.org urging King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima to reconsider their trip.

Last month, the Dutch government reported receiving over 300 emails requesting the cancellation of the visit, yet it confirmed that the state visit would proceed as planned. The Dutch royals arrived on Monday evening and are scheduled to remain in Kenya for three days. On Tuesday morning, King Willem-Alexander received a 21-gun salute and reviewed an honor guard at the office of Kenyan President William Ruto.

Nairobi has faced accusations of detaining critics, particularly following the anti-government protests in June 2024, where demonstrators breached parliament in response to new tax legislation. The government has also been criticized for suppressing protests and limiting free speech, alongside reports of state-linked abductions of young men for social media posts considered offensive to the president.

In December, during protests against rampant kidnappings and abductions, numerous peaceful demonstrators were arrested. Kenya was elected to the UN Human Rights Council in October 2024, along with several other African nations.