Dutch King and Queen’s Visit to Kenya Still On, Confirms Government Amid Online Protests
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has reaffirmed that the upcoming State visit by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands will proceed as planned.
This assurance follows an online campaign by Kenyans, who reportedly sent 300 emails to the Dutch government, urging the cancellation of the three-day visit due to Kenya’s current political and social issues.
The Royal House of the Netherlands emphasized that the visit, initiated by President William Ruto, marks a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.
Addressing the media on Monday, Mwaura criticized social media users for spreading misinformation and warned against attempts to deter foreign dignitaries from visiting Kenya.
“The King of the Netherlands is still coming. We’ve made all necessary preparations, and we cannot allow anyone to sabotage our national interests,” Mwaura stated.
The Dutch Foreign Affairs Ministry has also confirmed the visit, highlighting it as a platform to address concerns, including alleged human rights violations under President Ruto’s administration.
Mwaura further raised alarm over the rising culture of misinformation, linking it to the challenges facing Kenya’s health sector, particularly the rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA).
“The biggest threat to this country is disinformation. Kenyans are getting half their news from social media and half from mainstream outlets, creating a distorted reality,” he said.
He accused some hospitals of dishonesty, claiming they aim to exploit SHA funds similarly to the previous National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF). “We are ensuring all claims are settled, but we won’t allow hospitals to turn SHA into another cash cow.”
On the ongoing healthcare crisis, Mwaura appealed to striking clinical officers to exercise patience and return to work, emphasizing the government’s commitment to fulfilling its promises.
“I urge clinical officers to remain patriotic and avoid risking lives. We’ve addressed doctor interns’ concerns, and now we’re working on theirs. Constant strikes hurt the country,” he added.
The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) had issued a 14-day strike notice starting January 7, citing exclusion from SHA and breaches of a previous return-to-work agreement.
KUCO CEO George Gibore called the exclusion discriminatory and demanded fair inclusion of clinical officers in the SHA framework.
Dutch King and Queen’s Visit to Kenya Still On, Confirms Government Amid Online Protests
