King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima Land in Kenya for Historic State Visit

• King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands have landed in Kenya for a four-day state visit.
• The visit, invited by President William Ruto, will center on enhancing trade, bolstering security, addressing climate action, and promoting youth empowerment.
• The royal family of the Netherlands will partake in significant talks, endorse accords, and get involved in multiple economic and cultural events.

Kenyan .co.ke journalist Ivan Mboto boasts more than three years of expertise in covering political and contemporary issues within the country.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands arrived in Kenya on Monday night for a four-day official state visit.

Upon their arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), the royal couple was greeted by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, and several high-ranking government representatives.

The trip, which was invited by President William Ruto, stems from the robust economic and diplomatic relationships between Kenya and the Netherlands.

Joining the King and Queen are Dutch officials such as Foreign Affairs representative Casper Veldkamp, envoys for Foreign Trade and Development Reinette Klever, and Defense delegate Ruben Brekelmans.

As per a schedule unveiled by the Dutch royal family, the tour will encompass high-level conferences, talks centered around commerce and safety, dialogues about environmental programs, as well as interactions with young people from Kenya.

What does the schedule of the Dutch king in Kenya entail?

On Tuesday, March 18, the royal pair will receive an official welcome from President Ruto and his spouse, Mrs. Rachel Ruto, at State House in Nairobi. Following this ceremony, there will be bilateral talks among the teams, culminating in the signing of memorandums of understanding focused on crucial areas like tourism, commerce, safety, farming, and fishing.

In line with their diplomatic activities, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima plan to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior to pay tribute to Kenya's freedom fighters.

They will similarly participate in a discussion with Kenya's youth about governance, democracy, and human rights.

"Given that 75% of Kenya's population consists of individuals below the age of 35, young citizens hold significant sway over the nation's trajectory. During this engagement, the royal duo will converse with youthful Kenyans hailing from various walks of life, allowing them to voice their individual stories along with their visions for Kenya’s upcoming era," as stated in the program description.

Kenya-Dutch climate and economic collaboration

During their trip, the focus will be on showcasing Kenya's dedication to tackling climate change. As part of this effort, the King and Queen will join a tree-planting event in Nairobi, contributing to Kenya’s significant aim of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.

An important economic activity scheduled is the Business Forum, during which the royal pair will interact with industry executives to discuss prospects in farming, water management, supply chain operations, medical services, and digitization.

Kenya holds considerable importance as a trade ally for The Netherlands, especially when it comes to exporting flowers and avocados. The talks will delve into methods to improve supply chain efficiency for these time-sensitive goods, potentially shifting focus from air cargo to sea transport.

Involvements in judicial matters and security collaboration

The state visit will similarly address aspects of Kenya’s judicial framework as well as security partnerships.

On March 20th, the King and Queen plan to visit the Supreme Court to explore how an impartial judicial system can enhance accessibility to justice. During their trip, they will engage in conversations with prominent members of the judiciary, particularly emphasizing the contributions of women within the legal field.

The group will likewise stop at the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC), a facility where Kenya and the Netherlands join forces for security instruction and peacekeeping operations.

The monarchs will receive updates on anti-terror strategies and the significance of locally driven actions in tackling extremism.

As a token of gratitude for Kenya’s warm welcome, the Dutch royals will be hosting a cultural reception at the end of their visit.

The concluding event will involve meeting with the Dutch community in Kenya, offering a chance for the King and Queen to engage with fellow Dutch citizens who reside and work in this nation.

This visit aims to bolster the longstanding partnership between Kenya and the Netherlands, fostering collaboration across various fields for their shared advantage.

Kenyan citizens email objections against the visit of the Dutch King

In early 2025, more than 300 emails were dispatched by Kenyan citizens to the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressing their opposition to the planned visit of the king and queen to their nation.

Activists urged the royals to cancel their trip, citing the spate of abductions witnessed in Kenya, human rights issues, and discontent with Ruto’s governance.

Kenya's government, via Foreign Affairs Chief Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, dismissed the emails, asserting support for relations with the Netherlands.