King Willem-Alexander’s planned visit to Kenya has prompted backlash among Dutch lawmakers due to safety concerns and the country’s human rights issues. Notable figures such as Marieke Wijen-Nass and Lauren Dassen have questioned the visit’s significance and potential outcomes. Additionally, petitions from Kenyans in the Netherlands urge cancellation of the visit, raising further tensions.
A segment of lawmakers from the Netherlands House of Representatives has expressed concerns regarding the safety of King Willem-Alexander’s impending visit to Kenya. The Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad reported on March 10 that the King’s visit has caused unease among Parliament members, particularly those from opposition parties. This anxiety is rooted in a report from Amnesty International and other NGOs that shed light on the worsening humanitarian conditions in Kenya.
Among those voicing concerns is Marieke Wijen-Nass, a Member of Parliament with the Farmer Citizen Movement (Boer Burger Beweging or BBB). She questioned the relevance of the King’s visit and sought clarification from the Dutch government on the safety measures provided for the King during this visit, particularly in light of recent unrest in the region. “Trade relations are important but the Dutch government must be able to demonstrate that the state visit yields results, both economically and diplomatically,” stated Marieke.
Marieke further inquired, “Is there any prospect of improvements in the human rights situation? Is there a concrete plan to give Dutch entrepreneurs a stronger position in Kenya? If not, the timing of this visit is incomprehensible.” Her concerns were echoed by Lauren Dassen, a representative from the Volt party, who articulated fears that the visit could produce counterproductive outcomes. “The King should not allow himself to be used as a pawn by the Kenyan government,” commented Lauren.
These developments follow a series of petitions from certain Kenyan citizens urging the Dutch government to cancel the King’s visit, asserting that President William Ruto’s administration undermines human rights. In mid-January, Kenyan activists residing in the Netherlands presented a petition with 22,000 signatures to the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, advocating for the withdrawal of the planned state visit.
In response, the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed the petitions as misinformation, claiming they aimed to discredit the Kenya Kwanza administration. Specifically, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musaia Mudavadi accused social media influencers of propagating false narratives about the Kenyan government. “These activities initially sparked by genuine protests by Gen-Z have evolved into organized cyber attacks by a few social media influencers and seek to delegitimize government initiatives,” Mudavadi stated.
In summary, King Willem-Alexander’s forthcoming visit to Kenya has generated considerable criticism among Dutch lawmakers, primarily concerning safety and the implications of the visit in relation to human rights issues. Key Members of Parliament have called for clarity on the benefits of the visit, both economically and diplomatically. Meanwhile, petitioners have raised significant concerns regarding the reputation of the Kenyan administration amidst ongoing allegations of human rights violations.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
