Govt Slams Kenyans: We Did Not Invite Netherlands King & Queen Via Social Media

The Kenyan government through Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi told off hundreds of Kenyans who sent emails to the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting the cancellation of a planned state visit by His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima.

Mudavadi was speaking on Saturday, January 18 when he handed over the ICT ministry to the new Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo at Teleposta Towers.

According to the Prime CS, the government was not in the business of dishing out invitations to royalty through social media, affirming that government channels were created to do that kind of duty.

He also dismissed reports that the massive requests for the Royal Family to cancel the Dutch Royal Couple's incoming visit to Kenya had affected the East African country's relationship with the Netherlands.

Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi speaking on January 18, 2025, when he handed over the ICT ministry to the new Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo at Teleposta Towers. /MUSALIA MUDAVADI

“Governments do not determine their invitations on the basis of social media. We did not invite the King of the Netherlands or the royal family through social media. There are government channels for such invitations,” he explained.

“So where is this rumour coming from; that because a few people have played on social media, it has affected our relationship with the Netherlands? It is wishful thinking."

Mudavadi further remarked on Kenya's solid partnership with the Netherlands and that the latter will continue supporting the former through investments.

"Our partnership with the Netherlands is very solid, they are strong investors in this country and will continue to be so, and we have a good relationship. The rest is just a rumour mill but it may be pleasing those who think it is gaining traction, I can tell you it is not," he continued.

He also slammed Kenyans speaking ill of their own country, noting that the country is a regional hub for various international media houses, which have lauded the country's freedom of speech and used it as a basis for setting up bureaus, some of which are in Nairobi.

“I can only appeal to you, members of the Fourth Estate, let us work on this together. The Kenya you vilify is the Kenya that is the regional hub for all the media houses. All the big ones are here. They come here because we have very reasonable freedom of expression,” he stated.

On Thursday, January 16, the Foreign Affairs Ministry raised alarm over what it has termed as 'recent cyber activities spreading misinformation and disinformation' aimed at undermining the credibility of the Kenya Kwanza government.

The Ministry pointed an accusing finger at social media influencers, who they accused of spreading online messages and attacks that were aimed at undermining government initiatives.

"These activities initially sparked by genuine protests by Gen-Z's have evolved into organized cyber attacks by a few social media influencers and seek to delegitimize government initiatives, discourage high-level visits, de-campaign Kenya's candidates for international and regional positions while sending intimidatory messages to members of the international community," the Ministry stated.

The Ministry's take on the cyber attacks also came after a concerning report from a Dutch media outlet which claimed the Dutch Foreign Affairs Ministry was aware of Kenyans' discontent with the government despite Ruto extending an invitation to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander.

Despite receiving warnings from Kenyans on the planned visit, the Dutch Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed the visit will still take place.

While acknowledging the awareness of the emails and potential cases of human rights violations in Kenya, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, speaking on behalf of the Government Information Service (RVD), reiterated the visit would be the perfect opportunity to speak up on the issues at hand.

The Dutch Royal Palace had earlier indicated that the key priority on the King's visit to Kenya is to foster new partnerships while cultivating already existing relationships.