Here is what you need to know to keep up to speed with today’s happenings.

Dutch Royal family visit

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands on Monday night arrived in the country and are expected to start their four-day State visit. They were received at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.

JKIA, NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA
MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2025

Kenya and the Netherlands have maintained warm and cordial relations over the years. The Netherlands remains the largest buyer of Kenyan flowers. Investment in the water and infrastructure sectors and development of arid… pic.twitter.com/XekLkg3fcK

— Kithure Kindiki (@KindikiKithure) March 17, 2025

The two who are in the country, at the invitation of President William Ruto, have been accompanied by three ministers, Caspar Veldkamp (Foreign Affairs), Reinette Klever (Foreign Trade and Development) and Ruben Brekelmans (Defence).

President Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto will welcome the King and Queen at the State House with an official ceremony, which will be followed by a tête-à-tête.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima and the ministers accompanying them will then meet with the Kenyan president and his ministers.

After the meeting, the president and the king will give a short statement to the media.

pic.twitter.com/4GMwGGfhOi

— emmanuel talam (@EmmanuelTalam) March 17, 2025

Following the delegation meeting, King Willem-Alexander will attend the signing of memoranda of understanding on tourism, trade, security, agriculture, and fisheries.

In honour of those who contributed to Kenya’s freedom and independence, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. 

The royal couple will also speak with young Kenyans from a range of backgrounds, who will share their personal experiences and their ideas about Kenya’s future.

This dialogue will also touch on the human rights situation in Kenya, good governance and democracy. 

King Letsie III’s visit

King of Lesotho Letsie III will arrive in Nairobi for an official visit.

King Letsie III will be engaged in a series of events in the country. The King of Lesotho will on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, visit factories near Clay Works, Ruiru, and a school in Ruiru town for tree planting before his departure the following day. 

Harambee Stars jet out

The Harambee Stars team is set to depart Nairobi for Abidjan in Ivory Coast for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier clash against The Gambia.

Stade Allasane Ouattara in Ivory Coast’s capital, Abidjan, will stage the clash as Gambia lacks a CAF-approved venue to host the 2026 World Cup qualifier matches.

Kenya will first face Gambia on Thursday, March 20, 2025. The boys will return home for a subsequent clash against Gabon at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday, March 23, 2025.

KMPDU demonstration

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists & Dentists Union (KMPDU) is expected to stage a massive demonstration on March 18, 2025, to address various issues affecting the health sector.

Taking to his official X account on Friday, March 14, 2025, the KMPDU Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer Davji Attellah rallied healthcare workers and civil servants to stand up for their rights, emphasizing the urgent need for the immediate posting of medical interns and the full implementation of the Public Officer Medical Fund, which was designed to ensure that civil servants, including healthcare workers, have access to quality medical care.

According to Attelah, the protest aims to push the government into action on critical issues affecting medical professionals and public servants.

“Mega-demo alert; Doctors, healthcare workers, and civil servants, it’s time to stand up for our rights! Join us on 18th March 2025 as we march to demand: Immediate posting of medical interns and full implementation of the Public Officer Medical Fund,” Atellah announced.

Atellah urged the government to act on the issues addressed by the healthcare workers and civil servants without making promises.

“We demand action, not empty promises!” he added.

The planned demonstration is expected to start from Kenyatta National Hospital to the Ministry of Health to the National Treasury, then to Social Health Authorities Offices, and end at the Ministry of Public Service.

“Route: KNH-Ministry of Health-National Treasury-SHA Ministry of Public Service,” he stated.