Kenya and the Netherlands have pledged to further strengthen cooperation across all sectors after political consultations between the two countries.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Caspar C.J. Veldkamp led their respective delegations for the political consultations on March 19, 2025.
The meeting sought to evaluate the status of bilateral relations between Kenya and the Netherlands and explore new avenues for expanding cooperation at bilateral and multilateral levels.
The consultations were a follow-up on the MoU on political consultation that was signed on February 12, 2024, to create a framework for structured bilateral engagement between Kenya and the Netherlands across different sectors.
Both parties noted that the relations between Kenya and the Netherlands have grown along a sound and dynamic path over the last 60 years and are committed to maintaining the trajectory.
Both leaders recognised the milestones achieved through
regular engagements including at the highest level as exemplified by President
Ruto's visit to the Netherlands in May 2023 and the state visit by Their
Majesties the King William-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands that was
underway during the political consultations.
They particularly noted the concrete deepening of ties between the two countries through the signing of various Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) during the State Visit.
“Both leaders expressed their commitment to strengthening economic and investment relations between the two countries and welcomed the strengthening of bilateral trade mechanisms, including the establishment of the Joint Trade Committee (JTC) to address trade barriers, enhance market access, and expand commercial ties,” a joint communiqué stated.
The statement said the two leaders emphasised the need to leverage the Kenya-EU Economic Partnership Agreement which came into force in July 2024 and agreed to partner to diversify Kenya's export portfolio beyond cut flowers to include high-potential sectors such as meat, live animals, fish, textiles and oilseeds.
The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment and strengthening partnerships in sustainable agriculture, water management, logistics, life science, health and renewable energy, in a responsible, inclusive and sustainable way.
Both leaders recognised that the climate emergency is one of the most serious challenges facing the two countries.
They noted that climate change has triggered a myriad of impacts that are increasingly becoming evident with dire consequences to livelihoods, ecosystems and the economy, particularly in developing countries.
The statement added that the Netherlands committed to continue supporting Kenya's efforts to enhance climate resilience by enhancing collaboration through initiatives such as the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLOCA) programme being implemented in Marsabit, Isiolo and Garissa counties.
“Further, the two parties agreed to partner in the area of forest management to strengthen Kenya's sustainable forest management and restoration initiatives,” it added.
