Lawmakers in the Netherlands have expressed concern over King Willem-Alexander’s upcoming visit to Kenya due to safety and human rights issues. Opposing MPs demand clarity on the visit’s significance while petitions to cancel it have emerged. The Kenyan government has dismissed these claims as misinformation.
Concerns have emerged among Dutch lawmakers regarding King Willem-Alexander’s upcoming visit to Kenya. According to the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, several Members of Parliament, particularly from the opposition, have expressed unease about the visit amidst ongoing humanitarian issues in the country as highlighted by Amnesty International and other organizations.
Among the critics, MP Marieke Wijen-Nass from the Farmer Citizen Movement questioned the importance of the King’s visit amid safety concerns due to recent unrest in Kenya. She urged the Dutch government to explain how the visit would yield tangible benefits, both diplomatically and economically, emphasizing the need for progress on human rights and the viability of Dutch business interests in the country.
Marieke’s concerns were echoed by Lauren Dassen of the Volt party, who warned against the potential misuse of the royal visit by the Kenyan government. She remarked, “The King should not allow himself to be used as a pawn by the Kenyan government.”
The controversy is further inflamed by petitions submitted by Kenyans urging the Dutch government to cancel the royal visit, citing human rights violations by President William Ruto’s administration. Activists, in January, submitted a significant petition with 22,000 signatures to the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs opposing the state visit.
In response, the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed these petitions as misinformation, with Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musaia Mudavadi denouncing social media influencers for promoting false narratives aimed at discrediting the government’s efforts. He stated that these campaigns have transformed from genuine protests into organized actions that undermine governmental initiatives.
King Willem-Alexander’s planned visit to Kenya has sparked significant backlash among Dutch lawmakers, primarily due to concerns about safety and the deteriorating human rights situation in Kenya. Opposition MPs have called for clarity regarding the benefits of the visit, while petitions from Kenyans have sought its cancellation. The Kenyan government has countered these claims, labeling the protests as misinformation propagated by social media influencers.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
