President William Ruto is facing mounting pressure from Amnesty International to address human rights violations ahead of a state visit by Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima.

The royal couple is expected to arrive in Kenya on Tuesday, March 18, for a three-day visit aimed at strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between Kenya and the Netherlands.

However, Amnesty International has urged both governments to place human rights at the forefront of their discussions, warning against prioritizing economic and military interests over accountability.

In a strongly worded statement, Amnesty International Kenya Section Director Irungu Houghton called on the two nations to publicly outline how human rights protections will improve during and after the high-profile visit.

“The three Dutch ministers and the Royal Couple must use this opportunity to place human rights at the center of diplomatic relations between Kenya and the Netherlands,” Houghton said.

“Economic, military, and other interests must not be prioritized at the cost of human rights.”

The human rights watchdog highlighted growing concerns over the Kenyan government’s alleged crackdown on dissent, including the use of excessive force against protesters, which it claims has resulted in over 60 deaths in 2024.

According to Amnesty International, more than 80 activists, many of them young Kenyans, have been abducted by masked agents in what the organization describes as “enforced disappearances.”

The organization is demanding that President Ruto and the Dutch delegation address allegations of torture, enforced disappearances, and police brutality during their talks.

It also urged both governments to commit to transparency by openly sharing the outcomes of their discussions.

“Amnesty International calls on both authorities to place human rights at the heart of the visit, address human rights violations, and commit to accountability for all victims following the recent brutal crackdown,” the statement added.

The visit comes amid rising domestic and international criticism of Kenya’s human rights record.

On March 4, a petition signed by over 22,400 people calling for the cancellation of the Dutch royal visit was submitted to the Dutch Parliament.

Critics argue that hosting the visit without addressing ongoing human rights concerns undermines efforts toward justice and accountability.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, however, dismissed concerns that the visit could strain Kenya-Netherlands relations.

Speaking in January, he emphasized the strength of the bilateral partnership and downplayed public opposition to the royal visit.

“We did not invite the King of the Netherlands or the Royal Family through social media. Our partnership with the Netherlands is very solid. They are strong investors in this country and will continue being strong investors,” Mudavadi remarked.

The Netherlands remains one of Kenya’s top foreign investors, with cooperation spanning sectors such as agriculture, water management, and trade.

The upcoming visit is expected to reinforce these ties, but Amnesty International insists that human rights must take center stage.

As the visit approaches, all eyes will be on whether the Kenyan and Dutch governments respond to the call for greater transparency and accountability in the face of escalating human rights concerns.