Relations between Kenya and the Netherlands have been strong during digital Covid-19 period, and now we are to go back to a physical relationship. Working together to foster trade and investment relations and to further development in Kenya. 

Kenya is our most important trade partner in East-Africa. While Covid-19 had a negative impact on both our economies, our trade relation flourished and grew.

The Netherlands Central Bureau for Statistics recently reported trade between the two countries has increased during the pandemic. Imports from Kenya to the Netherlands increased from Sh61.8 billion in 2020 to Sh69.2 billion last year while exports to Kenya from the Netherlands also rose from Sh56.4 billion to Sh71.9 billion in same period. And the first quarter of 2022 shows similar growth trend. 

Our trade relationship was thus central to the recent visit of our minister for International Trade and Development Cooperation Liesje Schreinemacher.

The visit focused on various areas of cooperation between our countries such as agriculture, logistics, health, innovation, circular economy and trade. During a meeting with Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia, we signed a Letter of Intent on the shared ambition to improve a ‘Cool Logistics Corridor’ for perishables.

This will enable short-life products, such as flowers and vegetables, to be transported as sea freight instead of air freight, thus reducing up to 80 per cent of carbon emissions. 

Leisje referred to the great significance of the flower sector for employment, for finding innovative solutions and showing environmentally friendly pathways for agricultural development. And these are not just ambitions in the agricultural sector, but also in tourism, transport, water and many other areas in which Dutch companies are active in Kenya. 

As ambassador, I will continue to promote innovative entrepreneurship, exchange of knowledge and finding green solutions. That is where trade and development meet: finding the synergy between the two in the Kenyan context. 

Next to economic relations, Kenya and the Netherlands continue to jointly work towards achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Yearly, the Netherlands contributes over €80 million in development assistance to Kenya. 

We work on people to people contact and cooperation with civil society organisations in both our countries. In addition, we work closely with the private sector and of course with the Kenyan government, more and more also at the county level. 

It is not all economy and development that are guiding our partnership with Kenya. We are acutely aware of the geopolitical developments that are affecting us and Kenya alike.

In a recent OpEd I wrote together with my EU colleagues on the Russian invasion in Ukraine and Russian propaganda, we stressed how disinformation is undermining trust and is a part of warfare and how the invasion has affected global food supply. 

The EU continues to be at the forefront of efforts to try to end the conflict through diplomatic means and hold Russia accountable. Apart from the international geopolitics at play, the upcoming elections are another political event that is important for Kenya.

We are full of hope that Kenya will once more show its true nature to the world and to this region and make the transition to a new government in peace. Let it be a real celebration of freedom of choice.

Today, April 27, marks King’s Day in the Netherlands and the birthday of our Head of State, His Royal Highness King Willem-Alexander. King’s Day is not only to celebrate his birthday but as well to promote the solidarity and unity between all Dutch people.

To show this, the Royal Family each year visits a different city in the Netherlands on King’s Day, this year it will be the city of Maastricht. The Dutch will flock the streets, go to the many flea markets, enjoy festivals and celebrate the fact that it will be possible again after the two years Covid-19 blocked us all from enjoying one of the most appreciated days in their year.

— The writer is the ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Kenya