Kimilili MP mocks Kenyan protesters as Dutch royals sign 3 MoUs with Ruto
Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa has ridiculed Kenyan protesters who sought to block the state visit of Dutch royals King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, even as the royal couple formalized new agreements with the Kenyan government.
In a post on X on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, Barasa mocked the thousands who signed an online petition urging the Netherlands to cancel the visit.
He highlighted the apparent ineffectiveness of their efforts as the Dutch monarchs were hosted by President William Ruto at State House, where three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed.
“Kuna mambleina walituma thousands of emails to Majesties, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, so they dont Visit Kenya. Well wako area holding bilateral talks na @WilliamsRuto. Trash Emails hazikuwork🤣🤣,” Barasa wrote.,” Barasa posted, adding several laughing emojis.
President Ruto, in an official statement, confirmed the bilateral discussions with the Dutch royals at the State House in Nairobi.
“At@StateHouseKenya, Nairobi, held bilateral talks with Their Majesties, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, and addressed the media during their State Visit to Kenya,” the president wrote on X.
He added that;
“We have signed three Memoranda of Understanding and a Letter of Intent with the Netherlands to deepen collaboration in agriculture, trade and investment, industrialisation, tourism, climate action, regional security, and people-to-people connections.
“This will enhance Dutch investments in Kenya, strengthen our agricultural and industrial transformation, and drive infrastructure development, thereby accelerating our economic growth and expanding job opportunities for our youth.”
Petition against the visit
The royal visit has not been without controversy.
An online petition launched on January 15, 2025, by Jaya Khamala, a Kenyan-born resident of the Netherlands, called on the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to cancel the trip.
The petition, which gathered over 22,000 signatures, cited claims of human rights abuses under the Ruto administration.
The petition expressed concerns over arbitrary arrests, unlawful detentions, and the suppression of activists and protesters.
“This visit should not proceed while Kenya’s current administration, led by President William Ruto, continues to violate fundamental human rights and undermine democratic principles,” the petition read.
Khamala, speaking to Dutch broadcaster NOS on January 14, 2025, revealed that she had also contacted the Dutch government directly.
“I have already sent several emails to the Government Information Service in the hope that they will listen to me,” she said.
The petition also referenced President Ruto’s past involvement with the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding the 2007-2008 post-election violence, arguing that the visit risks legitimizing a government with a “troubling record” on governance and accountability.
Despite these appeals, the visit proceeded, with the Dutch King and Queen participating in discussions on economic cooperation, human rights, and sustainable development.
Diplomatic and economic implications
While activists criticized the visit, government officials emphasized the potential economic benefits.
The signed MoUs cover a range of sectors, including agricultural innovation and climate action, aligning with Kenya’s Vision 2030 development agenda.
Political analysts suggest the visit underscores Kenya’s strategic importance in East Africa and signals strengthening ties with European partners amid global competition for influence on the continent.
Barasa’s remarks reflect broader tensions between government supporters and critics who view the administration’s track record on human rights with concern.
For now, the Dutch royals’ visit stands as a symbolic victory for the Ruto administration’s diplomatic agenda despite vocal opposition from segments of Kenyan civil society.
Author
Martin Oduor
The alchemist of literary works - a master wordsmith with a proven record of transforming the raw materials of language into a rich tapestry of emotion, thought, and imagination.
View all posts by Martin Oduor
