King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands are set to arrive in Kenya on Monday for a four-day state visit at the invitation of President William Ruto.
Accompanied by three Dutch ministers—Caspar Veldkamp (Foreign Affairs), Reinette Klever (Foreign Trade and Development), and Ruben Brekelmans (Defence)—the visit aims to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations.
The Netherlands and Kenya have enjoyed over 60 years of bilateral relations, with the visit focusing on trade, security, climate action, and youth empowerment.
A Packed Itinerary
On Tuesday, March 18, President Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto will host the royal couple at State House, Nairobi, where official talks and the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in key sectors such as tourism, trade, security, agriculture, and fisheries will take place. The King and Queen will also lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, engage in a youth dialogue on governance and human rights, and participate in a tree-planting ceremony aligned with Kenya’s 15-billion tree initiative.
The day will conclude with the Kenya-Netherlands Business Forum, highlighting economic collaborations in sustainable agriculture, water management, logistics, and digital innovation, and a State Banquet hosted by President Ruto.
On Wednesday, March 19, the royals will visit Nairobi’s Inland Container Depot (ICD), a key export hub for flowers and avocados—major Kenyan exports to the Netherlands. They will also tour a Dutch horticultural firm committed to sustainable agriculture. In the afternoon, they will participate in a climate change discussion, focusing on water security and climate adaptation.
The visit will end on Thursday, March 20, with engagements at the Supreme Court, where discussions with Chief Justice Martha Koome will focus on judicial independence and women’s role in justice reform. Later, they will visit the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC), which trains peacekeeping forces in Africa with Dutch support. The visit will conclude with a reception for the Dutch community in Kenya.
This visit is expected to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and security cooperation between Kenya and the Netherlands, reinforcing their long-standing partnership.
