Kenya is currently hosting Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima for a three-day state visit.
The visit occurs against a backdrop of escalating allegations concerning human rights abuses within the East African nation.
Hundreds of Kenyans have voiced their concerns, petitioning the royals to reconsider their scheduled trip.
The Kenyan government faces accusations of arresting and detaining critics, particularly following June’s anti-government demonstrations.
During these protests against new taxes, demonstrators stormed parliament, leading to damage.
Reports also detail a crackdown on free speech and alleged state-linked abductions of young men over social media content.
In December, peaceful protesters demonstrating against widespread kidnappings were also arrested.
Over 20,000 Kenyans signed an online petition urging the Dutch royals to postpone their visit.
The Dutch government confirmed receiving over 300 emails requesting cancellation, yet the state visit proceeded as planned.
The royal couple arrived on Monday night and were formally welcomed on Tuesday morning.
Macharia Munene, a professor of international relations, noted a lack of public enthusiasm for the visit.
Amnesty International has urged both Kenya and the Netherlands to prioritize human rights during the visit and address recent violations.
Kenya was recently elected to the U.N. Human Rights Council, prompting rights groups to advocate for the government to prioritize civil liberties.
The ongoing visit places a spotlight on Kenya’s human rights record amidst growing domestic and international scrutiny.