Reflecting on the Dutch state visit to Kenya

The state visit of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima to Kenya in March celebrated and strengthened the strong ties between the Netherlands and Kenya, and highlighted a wide array of existing and new areas for cooperation. A great team spirit, both in Nairobi and in The Hague, flexible implementation of the visit and a programmatic focus on the embassy’s substantive priorities were among the most important ingredients that made this state visit a success.

For over 60 years, the Netherlands and Kenya have enjoyed a broad bilateral relationship, during which we have learned a lot from each other. Kenya is a global leader in climate diplomacy and climate activism, and Nairobi is a major international hub for talks on these issues. For its part, the Netherlands is renowned for its expertise in water management and innovative agriculture. Our two countries also have strong economic ties. The Netherlands is Kenya’s third-largest export market and its biggest European market, while the Netherlands is among Kenya’s top five foreign investors.

Horticultural sector and efficient water use - Florensis

Royal couple's visit to Florensis

In recent years, the horticultural sector has seen significant global changes, making the royal couple’s visit to Florensis Kenya both timely and insightful. It was a clear demonstration of the vital role this industry plays in the export relationship between Kenya and the Netherlands. In 2023 alone, the value of this trade flow was approximately €700 million – over 90% of which was agricultural products – highlighting not only the economic revenues but also the thousands of local jobs supported by this partnership.

Elizabeth Kiamba - Agricultural Adviser: ‘Equally impressive was Kenya’s flower sector’s deepening commitment to sustainability. The royal couple witnessed firsthand how Florensis was implementing this – from environmentally responsible practices, such as increased use of biologicals in crop protection, efficient water use, investment in agri-logistics and sustainable energy, to a strong focus on social responsibility, including the support for employees and their families. It was evident that sustainability is a core value and a long-term strategy for growth.’

Sustainable innovation - Reefer container

Horticultural products make up some 70% of Kenyan exports, most of which are exported to the Netherlands. The majority of these shipments currently go by air, but decreasing air freight capacity has raised costs. Some agricultural and horticultural products are therefore being shipped from Kenya by sea. To improve Kenya’s competitive position in sea freight, trade volumes need to increase and prices need to be reduced. The Netherlands has played a key role in driving the transition to sea freight through the ‘Combi-Track’ approach, a public-private collaboration aimed at making agri-logistics in Kenya more sustainable.

Naivasha Island Container Depot (ICD)
Setting a new standard for sea freight in floriculture
Loes van der Velde - Economic Affairs: ‘In the week of the state visit, we celebrated a milestone in the work done by the Netherlands and our partners: the first cooled container with flowers was transported by rail from the Naivasha Inland Container Depot (ICD). The flowers made their way on the Standard Gauge Railway to Mombasa for onward shipment by sea to the Port of Rotterdam. The royal couple visited that same ICD, highlighting the work of our partners on innovations in sustainable agri-logistics, including cold storage, preparation of flowers for sea freight and other trade solutions essential for the shift from air freight to sea freight.’
Sustainable agri-logistics - first cooled flowercontainer 

Human rights - Judiciary visit

Visit to the judiciary

The political situation in Kenya, including human rights, was an important part of the background to the state visit. The good bilateral relationship between the Netherlands and Kenya was used as a platform to discuss the rule of law, human rights, good governance and accountability.

The visit to the judiciary showcased and demonstrated that female leadership can lead to justice interventions that specifically target and directly benefit women and the most vulnerable in society. For instance, the judiciary has initiated people-centred justice interventions aimed at women and children, there are sexual- and gender-based violence (SGBV) courts and small claims courts for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The Attorney-General has also prioritised legal reform and legal aid interventions for children, women and people who cannot afford legal services. In addition, strategic litigation by lawyers is important for advocacy of human rights, civic space and the protection of activists.

Supreme court Kenya

What’s next

The participation of three ministers and delegations from four ministries reinforced the enhanced engagement with Kenya through parallel programmes, bilateral ministerial meetings and the signing of agreements.

Mechanisms for regular, strategic dialogue were set up: political consultations, a joint trade committee and an agricultural working group, which will convene annually. These are important mechanisms for engagement, and give concrete follow-up to the state visit. They also create opportunities to work together more at multilateral level, for example in the Human Rights Council, of which both the Netherlands and Kenya are members.

Two parallel trade missions boosted further cooperation and investments in two focus sectors in the bilateral relationship between the Netherlands and Kenya: sustainable agriculture and water.

See also:

Why is a state visit to Kenya taking place?
Netherlands - Kenya trade mission; Shared and sustainable economic prosperity
Kenya's treasure trove
Interview ambassador Henk Jan Bakker