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

Dutch King’s State Visit

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands will today kick off the third day of their state visit to Kenya. The King and the Queen will visit the Supreme Court where they will hold talks with Chief Justice Martha Koome and other leading figures in the justice sector, particularly women.

The visit will focus on the importance of an independent judiciary in increasing inclusive access to justice, and Dutch-Kenyan initiatives to that end.

The Royal family will tour the Judiciary Museum, which showcases the history and development of Kenya’s judicial system.

In the afternoon, the King and Queen will visit the International Peace Support Training Centre.

The internationally renowned International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC) trains military personnel from several African countries to support various UN and African Union missions in Africa.

The Netherlands supports the centre by providing training on intelligence in the context of UN peace operations. The visit to the IPSTC will focus on the future of defence cooperation between the Netherlands and Kenya.

The King and Queen will also hear about initiatives for combating violent extremism, and about the positive impact mothers and young people can achieve in combating radicalisation.

Reception for the Dutch community

The final day of the state visit will close with a reception for the Dutch community at the ambassador’s official residence in Nairobi. The royal couple will speak with Dutch nationals who live and work in Kenya

World Rally Championship

The World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally 2025 is set to kick off officially this Thursday, March 20 to March 23.

The event started with a shakedown in Naivasha and is set for a return to the capital this Thursday, March 20 where President William Ruto will officially flag-off the Kenyan circuit ahead of a gruelling four-day of motor racing.

The ceremonial flag-off will take place on March 20 outside the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) and City Hall in Nairobi.

Iria’s case

Former Muranga governor Mwangi Wa Iria will be appearing in the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court this Thursday, March 20, 2025, for the hearing of a case involving the unlawful award of a multi-million tender contract during his tenure as the county boss.

According to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Wa Iria and seven others are charged with conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption, and abuse of office. Allegations relate to fraud in respect of an unlawful contract for the provision of media buying services awarded to a private company by Muranga County Government amounting to Ksh351.1 million.

Harambee Stars World Cup tie

Kenya national team Harambee Stars is scheduled to face off against The Gambia this Thursday, March 20, 2025, in a crucial World Cup qualifier tie in Abidjan.

The clash marks a new start for Kenyan football following the appointment of South African Benni McCarthy at the start of the month.

The Gambia clash will be the tactician’s debut with another qualifier against Gabon coming thick and fast after the Gambia tie.

The coach has promised to build a team that Kenya will be proud to be associated with.

“It’s just a matter of time before we get it right and things go perfectly. Then, I think everybody will be proud of the team they support and that represents them as Kenyans. That’s what I, my technical team, and the coaches here want to bring to this country. We want to bring a football team that people can be proud of,” he stated.

Stars are ranked fourth in Group F with five points. Ivory Coast tops the standings with 10 points, with Gabon second with nine points.

Updates on Nduta’s case

The government is expected to give further updates on Margaret Nduta who is facing a death penalty in Vietnam. The ministry has been ramping up diplomatic efforts to prevent the execution of the jailed Kenyan citizen.

On Wednesday, March 19, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavaid disclosed that the government has initiated high-level talks with Vietnamese authorities in an attempt to secure clemency.

“It is unfortunate that a Kenyan is facing this kind of situation. It is not a pleasant situation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in particular my Principal Secretary has been trying to converse with his counterpart in Vietnam to see if there can be some mitigation in this process,” Mudavadi said.

“We hope there can be some success so that there is no summary execution as we go ahead,” he added.