Mudavadi slams Kenyans writing emails to block Dutch royals visit

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi when handed over the ICT ministry to new CS William Kabogo on Saturday, January 18, 2025.

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has reprimanded Kenyans for vilifying the country before the international community.

Mudavadi said the Kenya they speak ill of is the same country that is a regional hub.

“The Kenya you vilify is the Kenya that is the media hub. All the big media houses are here. They come here because we have very reasonable freedom of expression,” he stated.

Mudavadi took issue with Kenyans who have written to the Dutch government requesting the cancellation of a planned state visit by His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima.

“Governments do not determine their invitations on the basis of social media. We did not invite the royal family through social media. There are government channels for such invitations,” he explained.

Speaking on Saturday when he handed over the ICT ministry to the new Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo at Teleposta Towers, Mudavadi dismissed social media reports that the Dutch government was reconsidering the visit.

“So where is this rumour coming from; that because a few people have played on social media, it has affected our relationship with the Netherlands? It is wishful thinking,” he said.

Mudavadi said Kenya’s partnership with the Netherlands is solid.

“They are strong investors in this country and we have a very good relationship,” he stated.

On Wednesday, the Dutch government issued a response after it received at least 300 emails from disgruntled Kenyans requesting the cancellation of the visit.

Despite receiving warnings from Kenyans on the planned visit, the Dutch Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed the visit will still take place.

While acknowledging the awareness of the emails and potential cases of human rights violations in Kenya, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, speaking on behalf of the Government Information Service (RVD), reiterated the visit would be the perfect opportunity to speak up on the issues at hand.

The Dutch Royal Palace had earlier indicated that the key priority on the King's visit to Kenya is to foster new partnerships while cultivating already existing relationships.