King Willem-Alexander’s forthcoming visit to Kenya is facing backlash from Dutch lawmakers over concerns for his safety and the human rights situation in the country. Key figures, such as Marieke Wijen-Nass and Lauren Dassen, have raised questions about the visit’s relevance and potential implications. The Kenyan government has dismissed petitions for cancellation, accusing critics of misinformation.
A segment of lawmakers from the Netherlands House of Representatives has voiced concerns regarding the upcoming visit of King Willem-Alexander to Kenya, raising questions about the King’s safety. According to the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, these apprehensions have primarily emerged amongst opposition members of Parliament following a critical report by Amnesty International highlighting the worsening humanitarian conditions in Kenya.
Marieke Wijen-Nass, a Member of Parliament associated with the Farmer Citizen Movement (BBB), has questioned the relevance of the King’s visit, insisting that the Dutch government must ensure his safety amid the recent unrest in Kenya. She emphasized the necessity for tangible outcomes from the visit, stating, “Trade relations are important, but the Dutch government must be able to demonstrate that the state visit yields results, both economically and diplomatically.” Moreover, she sought clarity on plans for enhancing human rights and supporting Dutch entrepreneurs in Kenya.
Additionally, Lauren Dassen from the Volt party echoed Marieke’s concerns, warning that the state visit could produce counterproductive results. She remarked, “The King should not allow himself to be used as a pawn by the Kenyan government.” This backlash follows petitions from various Kenyans urging the Dutch government to cancel the King’s visit due to human rights violations under President William Ruto’s administration.
In January, Kenyan activists in the Netherlands submitted a 22,000-signature petition to the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, demanding that the state visit be withdrawn. However, the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed these petitions as misinformation aimed at discrediting the Kenya Kwanza administration. Musaia Mudavadi, the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, criticized social media influencers for spreading false information about the Kenyan government, asserting, “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.”
The planned visit of King Willem-Alexander to Kenya has sparked significant concern among certain Dutch lawmakers, particularly regarding the King’s safety amidst rising human rights issues in Kenya. Calls for the visit’s cancellation have emerged from Dutch Parliament members and Kenyan activists, citing potential adverse outcomes and questioning its significance. The response from the Kenyan government highlights an ongoing tension between international relations and domestic policy matters.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
