Kenya continues to be a key ally of Western countries, despite domestic hostility over complaints of poor governance, human rights abuses, corruption and over taxation.
These were among the key grievances in the June 2024 anti-government protests that nearly threatened to topple the administration.
Justice is yet to be served for the at least 60 young Kenyans killed mainly by police bullets during the demonstrations, while abductions and arbitrary arrests have continued.
The latest of such is the arrest of four BBC filmmakers over the documentary “Blood Parliament”, which documented the events of June 2024 for allegedly publishing false information.
They were released without charges.
Reacting to the arrest, EU Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger said journalists have become increasingly targets of intimidation in many countries in the past years.
“Freedom of expression is essential for checks and balances in a democratic society,” she said.
Despite the West being the key proponent of democracy and human rights, top government leaders have continued to stream into the country for high-level engagements or invited their counterparts in Kenya in their capitals.
The announcement of the state visit by Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands triggered a wave of responses from Kenyans, who called for the visit to be cancelled over rights violations in the country.
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed receiving over 300 emails from Kenyans requesting the cancellation of the state visit.
The ministry noted that it was aware of the reported human rights violations in Kenya, saying the Netherlands regularly speaks out against such abuses, both publicly and in engagements with Kenyan authorities.
"The Ministry sees the visit as an opportunity to discuss difficult topics such as human rights violations," the statement said.
This appeared to force the King to speak about the human rights situation in Kenya during the visit.
"The people of Kenya, like those of the Netherlands, want their rights as free citizens to be respected and their voices to be heard. I am pleased that our countries' strong and mature relationship allows us to devote attention during this visit to issues like human rights, good governance and accountability," King Willem-Alexander added.
The visits, however, continue, with Finland President Alexander Stubb and his spouse, Suzanne Innes-Stubb, expected in Kenya for a state visit from May 12-14.
The visit will mark the first presidential visit from Finland to Kenya and celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two states.
According to the statement by the Finnish government announcing the visit, Presidents Stubb and Ruto will hold talks on the “bilateral ties, global challenges and their impact in Africa and Europe, and cooperation in support of the multilateral system”.
“During his stay, President Stubb will meet representatives of local NGOs and foreign policy experts. The main topics of discussion will be regional dynamics and social development,” the statement added.
At the same time, between May 12-13, the EU-Kenya Business Forum 2025 will be held in Nairobi, where the Finnish President will give a keynote speech.
The conference will be held under the theme "Digitalising Trade", bringing together policy makers, business leaders and innovators to “explore how digital transformation is reshaping trade, driving efficiency and unlocking new market opportunities”.
On Monday, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi held talks with the Norway Minister for Development during his official visit to Kenya. Mudavadi, who is also in-charge of Foreign Affairs, said their discussions touched on the situation in Sudan building on the London-Sudan Conference, explored key areas of mutual interest and the upcoming Political and Diplomatic Consultations in Oslo in July 2025.
“Kenya values Norway’s continued support in driving sustainable development and looks forward to expanding collaboration across health, education, energy, environment, the blue economy, fisheries, and beyond,” Mudavadi said.
Mudavadi on April 5 also hosted a high-level American delegation led by US Senior Advisor on Africa to President Donald Trump Dr. Massad Boulos and Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi Marc Dillard
While the meeting largely centred on regional affairs in the Horn of Africa and Great Lakes Region, Mudavadi said Kenya values ties with the US on education, trade, investment, peace, security, and humanitarian efforts.
Former Latvia President and co-chair of the Nizami Ganjavi International Centre (NGIC) Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga also visited on April 2, where collaboration in ICT and support for its non-permanent membership of the UNSC (2026-27) were discussed.
Kenya and France are also constantly engaging in the Africa-France Conference in 2026, which will be hosted in Nairobi.
In this regard, Mudavadi on May 1 met Secretary General of the France-Africa Summit Jérémie Blin to discuss the summit’s planning. Blin was accompanied by French Ambassador Arnaud Suquet.
“The upcoming Nairobi summit is expected to focus on climate change, environmental challenges, and financial system reform, as aligned with initiatives such as the Nairobi Declaration from the Africa Climate Summit,” MFA said
