Netherlands King & Queen To Visit Kenya After Ruto's Invite
The Royal Couple will be in the East African nation from Tuesday, March 18, 2025, to Thursday, March 20, 2025.
Marvin Chege 
Kenya is set to be graced by international royalty for the second time in almost two years, with the incoming visit of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands.
The Royal House of the Netherlands in a dispatch on January 7, 2024, announced that the Royal Couple will be in the East African nation from Tuesday, March 18, 2025, to Thursday, March 20, 2025.
"His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima are to pay a state visit to Kenya, at the invitation of President William Ruto," read the dispatch in part.
According to the Royal House, this first state visit to Kenya is a reaffirmation of the good relations and solid cooperation between the two countries. The Netherlands is seeking to engage in new partnerships in various areas and to deepen the countries’ existing ties.
President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto at Noordeinde Palace in The Hague, Netherlands with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima on May 8, 2023. /PCS
"Kenya plays an increasingly influential role in the global arena. In addition, the Netherlands and Kenya maintain close economic relations, and both are major hubs and gateways to large regions," added the dispatch.
Within the United Nations (UN) and other international organisations, the dispatch added that the Netherlands and Kenya work together actively towards goals relating to democracy, the rule of law and independence of the Judiciary.
The Dutch Royal House further revealed that economic missions focusing on sustainable agriculture and water will take place in parallel with the King and Queen’s state visit.
Kenya’s growing influence on the international stage adds significance to the visit. The two countries have actively worked together on pressing global issues, including peace and security, food security, and combating climate change.
The royal visit is expected to strengthen these ties and highlight Kenya's role as a strategic partner for the Netherlands in addressing global challenges.
Kenya's government and citizens are expected to greet the Dutch King and Queen warmly, as their visit represents the two countries' commitment to mutual growth, understanding, and cooperation.
Earlier, the government had invited Dutch companies, financial organizations and knowledge institutions that are active in sustainable agriculture or horticulture, or in the water sector to apply for participation in the economic missions.
During this trade mission, companies are set to learn more about these opportunities and developments in the sustainable agriculture, horticulture and water sector.
This mission starts on Monday, March 17, 2025, in Nairobi, with a joint kick-off before a visit of Naivasha and Nakuru. The mission finally ends in Nairobi again, on Thursday, March 20.
King Willem and Queen Maxima’s visit to Kenya comes after the latter visited the country back in October 2023 in her role as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA).
Her highly anticipated three-day visit began on Monday, October 23, 2023, with a trip to Kisumu where she met with local farmers to hear their experiences using digital financial services and products meant to help boost their incomes and guard against climate shocks like floods or droughts.
“On Monday morning in Kisumu, Queen Máxima met with two farmers, Onesmus Musyoki Mutungi and Dorcas Lonana, who have been using a digital insurance product from an insurance technology company called Pula, shielding them from the unpredictable impacts of climate change and crop failure,” part of a statement by UNSGSA read in part.
On the same day, Queen Máxima met with President Ruto in Nairobi where they held discussions focused on the objectives of her visit.
The UN Special Advocate capped the inaugural day in Kenya by meeting with her financial inclusion partners, including representatives from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), and the World Bank Group.
Notably, President Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto held talks with King Willem-Alexander at Noordeinde Palace, the Hague in the Netherlands in May 2023.
