Despite an overwhelming wave of public emails urging the Dutch government to cancel the planned State visit by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, the Kenyan government has confirmed that the royal trip will proceed as scheduled.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura reaffirmed the government’s position, stating that the visit, which is set to last three days, will go ahead as planned. This follows a wave of emails from Kenyan citizens around 300 sent to the Dutch government, requesting the cancellation of the visit. The emails cited concerns over the country’s current socio-political and economic climate, with critics particularly pointing to the ongoing strikes and unrest in various sectors.
However, Mwaura rejected these concerns, accusing those behind the emails of spreading misinformation. “The King of the Netherlands will still visit the country, and we have ensured everything is in place. We should not sabotage national interests,” he stated during a press briefing. His remarks were a strong response to the growing trend of using social media to voice discontent, which Mwaura believes is contributing to the country’s rising levels of disinformation.
The royal visit, scheduled at the invitation of President William Ruto, is described as a significant moment in the relationship between the Netherlands and Kenya. According to the Dutch Foreign Affairs Ministry, the visit is an important diplomatic event and will provide a platform to discuss a range of bilateral issues, including concerns raised about governance in Kenya.
In his address, Mwaura also discussed the broader issue of disinformation, which he claimed has fueled unrest in various sectors, including healthcare. He specifically pointed to the ongoing challenges faced by the health sector, including claims of unpaid dues by hospitals and the controversy surrounding the implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA). The government has been working to ensure that claims are settled, but Mwaura warned hospitals against attempting to turn SHA into a “cash cow” akin to the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
The clinical officers’ strike also remained a significant topic of discussion. The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has issued a 14-day strike notice, citing breaches of agreements made in previous negotiations. Mwaura urged clinical officers to show patience and return to work, emphasizing the importance of maintaining health services for the well-being of all Kenyans.
The planned visit by the Dutch monarchs, set to explore opportunities for cooperation between the two nations, remains a key diplomatic event, despite the tensions that have been highlighted in various sectors of the Kenyan public.
