[PHOTO] Kenya, Netherlands commit to implement trade deals signed during King’s visit

During the King’s four-day visit, the Netherlands and Kenya signed three Memorandums of Understanding.

by JAMES GICHIGI

News25 April 2025 - 12:48

In Summary

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said Kenya is optimistic about new opportunities across several sectors.
He added that the focus now is on delivery. “The call to action was to deliver on the agreements reached and MoUs signed.”

Agricultural CS Mutahi Kagwe and Netherlands envoy to Kenya Henk Jan Bakker during the celebration of this year's King's Day at the Netherlands Embassy in Nairobi on April 25, 2025/HANDOUT/RVD

The Kenyan government has pledged to implement agreements signed with the Dutch government and investors during the March 2025 visit by His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands.

Speaking during celebrations to mark the Netherlands' King’s Day at the Dutch Embassy in Nairobi, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said Kenya is optimistic about new opportunities across several sectors.

“Kenyans were excited by the bright prospects for growing trade and investment across various sectors, especially in agriculture, logistics, health, energy and water management,” said Kagwe.

He added that the focus now is on delivery. “The call to action was to deliver on the agreements reached and MoUs signed.”

During the King’s four-day visit, the Netherlands and Kenya signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and two letters of intent. In addition, eight business-to-business MoUs were signed.

The visit coincided with a Dutch trade mission comprising 60 companies and 100 participants. The delegation held 17 events and visited key sites, including the Inland Container Depot in Naivasha.

One of the priority areas is the development of a cool logistics system for transporting Kenyan flowers and horticultural produce.

The goods will move from Naivasha using the Standard Gauge Railway and be shipped to the Port of Rotterdam. The initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions and support green logistics.

At the embassy event, Dutch Ambassador to Kenya Henk Jan Bakker reaffirmed the strength of the Kenya–Netherlands relationship. “In this unstable world, Kenya and the Netherlands were seeking to be trusted partners,” he said.

He noted that over 150 Dutch companies have invested in Kenya, making the Netherlands one of the country’s top sources of foreign direct investment.

Bakker said the King’s visit was meant to strengthen the diplomatic and trade ties between the two nations. “The King’s Visit to Kenya was meant to elevate the relationship between Kenya and the Netherlands to the next level,” he said.

He highlighted two key developments: the first political dialogue at the foreign affairs ministerial level and the inauguration of a trade dialogue.

The envoy added that the King and Queen held conversations with Kenyan youth and the Chief Justice, touching on aspirations for the country and the rule of law.

CS Kagwe emphasized Kenya’s open-door policy for investment. He said the country’s regional and continental trade memberships enhance its attractiveness.

“Through Kenya’s membership in regional economic blocs, like the East Africa Community (EAC), the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the country was not only the gateway to the continent, but one of the most attractive investment destinations,” he said.