I’d like to share updates on two significant developments that have been crucial in advancing our cause: the submission of our petition to the Dutch House of Representatives and a noteworthy response from the King of the Netherlands (video). These milestones have sparked important conversations and brought much-needed attention to the situation.

With your support, we’ve been able to highlight the urgent human rights crisis in Kenya, and together, we’re ensuring that this issue is being heard at the highest levels of diplomacy and government. Here's a closer look at the progress we've made since launching the petition in January.

Petition and Support: This petition calling for the reconsideration of the Dutch state visit to Kenya has been a central part of this campaign. Since its launch, we’ve so far garnered 22,463 signatures from individuals across the globe, highlighting the widespread concern for human rights in Kenya under President Ruto’s administration. The petition has not only gathered support but has served as a tool to amplify the message and bring the issue into the public eye. 

Media Attention: Our advocacy has also caught the attention of Dutch media, which has further fueled the conversation. Various outlets have covered our campaign, drawing attention to the human rights violations taking place in Kenya, the role of the Dutch government in this diplomatic engagement, and the need for a clear stance on these issues.  This media coverage has sparked important conversations in the Netherlands, further pushing the urgency of our cause into the spotlight.

Meeting with the Dutch Human Rights Ambassador: A significant milestone in our efforts was a meeting with the Dutch Human Rights Ambassador, Wim Geerts to personally present him the petition. We presented our concerns, shedding more light on the human rights and governance crises in Kenya. This meeting proved to be constructive, as we gained valuable insight into the Dutch government’s perspective. The ambassador acknowledged the importance of prioritizing human rights in the planning of the state visit. We discussed the need for continued dialogue to ensure that should the visit proceed, that it should seriously take into account the human rights situation in Kenya. 

Petition Submission to the Dutch House of Representatives: Building on this momentum, we were also invited to submit the petition to the Dutch House of Representatives. The petition was officially presented to the Committee of Internal Affairs & Dutch MPs, and was accompanied by our call for public statements from the Dutch government regarding the human rights situation in Kenya and a reconsideration of the visit. We were pleased to see that our submission sparked ongoing discussions in the parliament, and we were invited to continue these conversations with members of parliament. The support we’ve received from several MPs has been encouraging, and we continue to push for further action. 

Read about Dutch members of parliament's reactions to the state visit here: (in Dutch)

King’s Response: In addition to the political and diplomatic efforts, the King of the Netherlands was recently questioned during his state visit to Cyprus about the planned visit to Kenya. When asked about the visit, the King acknowledged the concerns raised regarding Kenya’s human rights record but emphasized the importance of engaging diplomatically. His response underlined for us the challenges we face in ensuring that this visit does not undermine the pursuit of justice for those suffering under Ruto’s regime.

Watch the King's response here (in Dutch)

Moving Forward: Despite these developments, it’s clear that our advocacy is far from over. We must continue to push for public statements from the Dutch government and Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the human rights situation in Kenya and advocate for concrete actions. As the conversation evolves, we remain steadfast in our goal to ensure that the Dutch state visit serves not just as a diplomatic gesture but as a genuine opportunity for progress, human rights, and accountability.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to this cause.

Together, we will keep pushing for meaningful change.