Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, has sharply criticized Kenyans who have taken to social media to request the cancellation of the planned state visit by Dutch royals, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. Speaking at a ceremony on Saturday, Mudavadi dismissed the influence of such social media campaigns on Kenya’s foreign relations, emphasizing that international invitations are handled through official government channels, not social media platforms.
Mudavadi’s comments followed a flurry of emails, reportedly over 300, sent to the Dutch government by Kenyan citizens urging them to reconsider the royal visit. Some of the objections stemmed from perceived human rights concerns and other grievances, leading the Dutch government to acknowledge the awareness of the situation. Despite the criticism, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the visit would proceed as planned, underscoring the importance of addressing such matters through direct dialogue during the visit.
“The Kenya you vilify is the Kenya that is a regional media hub. All the major media houses operate here because we have a healthy level of freedom of expression,” Mudavadi stated. He expressed disappointment with the way some Kenyans were representing the country on the international stage. According to Mudavadi, the country’s strong partnership with the Netherlands remained intact despite the online protests.
The Dutch government has emphasized that King Willem-Alexander’s visit aims to strengthen existing bilateral relationships, as well as explore new partnerships, particularly in the areas of trade and investment. With the Netherlands being a significant investor in Kenya, the visit is seen as an opportunity to bolster these economic ties and facilitate discussions on global issues, including human rights.
Mudavadi urged Kenyans to refrain from using social media as a platform to undermine the country’s international standing. He also clarified that government invitations to foreign dignitaries, including royal families, are extended through formal channels rather than social media.
“The notion that a few voices on social media can impact our relationship with the Netherlands is purely wishful thinking,” Mudavadi asserted. He reiterated that Kenya’s ties with the Netherlands remain strong, and that the royal visit should be viewed as a step forward in the continued collaboration between the two nations.
The visit of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima is set to take place later this year, with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressing the importance of using this visit to address issues raised in the letters and foster greater cooperation.
