From March 18 to 20, 2025, Kenya welcomed King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Kingdom of the Netherlands on a historic state visit that represented the growing partnership between the two nations. The visit, hosted by Kenya’s President William Ruto, highlighted the shared commitments to trade, sustainability, and innovation, with particular emphasis on Kenya’s thriving horticulture sector—a key aspect of Dutch-Kenyan collaboration.
Accompanied by Minister Reinette Klever of Foreign Trade and Development Aid and Minister Ruben Brekelmans of Defense, the Royal entourage explored Kenya’s flourishing flower industry, reaffirming its vital role in global floriculture and the Netherlands’ flower value chain.
A Partnership Enhancing Kenyan Floriculture’s Presence in the Global Spotlight
Kenya is one of the leading exporters of cut flowers. The flower industry significantly contributes to the country’s economy and employs hundreds of thousands. As the global hub for flower trading, the Netherlands imports nearly 40% of Kenya’s flowers, making the sector quite a sine qua non when it comes to bilateral trade relations between the two nations.
During the visit, the Royal Delegation, therefore, toured several high-tech flower farms, especially in the Naivasha region, renowned for its different varieties of flower production. Many of these farms are Dutch-owned or partnered, exemplifying sustainable practices, technological innovation, and socio-economic empowerment. King Willem-Alexander, especially, praised Kenya’s horticulture and floriculture sectors as a model of resilience and ingenuity, emphasizing how Dutch expertise and Kenyan resources have created a mutually beneficial relationship that continues to flourish every year and year-round.
King Willem-Alexander:
“The Netherlands is one of the five most important investors in Kenya. The commercial spirit, innovative drive, and proactive search for opportunities are qualities that connect us.”
In his address, King Willem-Alexander reflected on his experiences in Africa—and in Kenya in particular—during the eighties and nineties, first as a pilot for AMREF Flying Doctors and later for the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), where he assisted in protecting elephants from poachers in Meru National Park, a Kenyan national park.
King Willem-Alexander:
“My first pilot's license that was not Dutch was a Kenyan pilot's license. The number was Y 2294 PL. I obtained it from Gladys at DCA, first floor, first office on the left. I vividly remember the summer of 1989 when I went there. It holds a special place in my heart.”
As such, the Netherlands continues to be Kenya’s leading horticultural export destination, accounting for 27.3% of exports, according to the Kenyan Ministry of Agriculture. The East African country’s Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, Mutahi Kagwe, highlighted the sector’s impressive revenue in 2024, supporting over 6 million livelihoods—350,000 directly and 3 million indirectly.
In the course of their sojourn, for practically the most part, the royal couple visited and engaged in discussions with the players in the floriculture sector, more so about the industry's future. Such discussions also included insights from Berg RoseS CEO Arie van den Berg. The Berg RoseS’ nursery in Naivasha grows medium-flowered roses in an area of 550,000m² and features varieties like Rose Avalanche+, Peach Avalanche+, and Pink Avalanche+, Rose Con Amore, Charlotte, Clarence+, and Jumilia, among others.
Sustainability at the Core of the Collaboration
A recurring theme in the current global flower industry is sustainability. With the growth of the Kenyan flower industry, growers in the country have increasingly adopted eco-friendly practices, such as rainwater harvesting, solar energy, and biological pest control, to meet stringent European standards. With more than fifty Dutch companies, knowledge institutions, and various non-governmental organizations actively participating in different economic missions, including sustainable agriculture and water management, the royal couple’s visit provided an exceptional opportunity for the two countries to strengthen their bilateral relations.
At an official visit hosted by Naivasha-based Florensis, a Dutch flower company with deep roots in Kenya, the royal couple joined stakeholders in discussions on the flower industry, allowing Florensis to showcase its commitment to sustainability, which countered some of the negative narratives associated with the Kenyan flower sector. The breeder and propagator is known to combine technology with sustainable agricultural practices to provide high-quality plants worldwide through its modern greenhouses that utilize innovative techniques, such as climate optimization and solar energy, minimizing environmental impact. In lighthearted discussions, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima interacted with the employees, gaining deeper insight into their work at the facility.
The Kenya Flower Council (KFC) also had the opportunity to host the royal couple, highlighting the significance of the relevant certifications in the flower sector. KFC is the umbrella organization for the flower industry in Kenya, significantly influencing the country’s overall flower sector. The Council’s Flowers and Ornamentals Sustainability Standards (FOSS) gained attention as one of the internationally recognized certifications in the Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI) Basket of Standards, as it practically addresses all three pillars of sustainability.
Meanwhile, Thursd’s Rosemary Kimunya, a Kenyan floral entrepreneur, showcased the artistry behind Dutch-Kenyan floral designs, merging traditional African aesthetics with European elegance through the designs of the venues that hosted the royal couple. Alongside other Dutch florists, Rosemary incorporated roses from breeder United Selections and other flowers like tulips from the Netherlands, creating arrangements that exemplify the partnership between the two countries.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima's entourage visited numerous other programs in various parts of the country, including a tour of the Naivasha Inland Container Depot, which could ease flower delivery for export. Yet, everywhere they went, they received an enthusiastic reception.
In King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima’s words:
"We are grateful that we have deepened our understanding of Kenyans’ perceptions. For sixty years, Kenya and the Netherlands have shown how interconnected Africa and Europe are and how fruitful our cooperation has been. Thank you very much for the friendship between our two countries!"
Unless otherwise indicated, photos are by the Royal House of the Netherlands (RVD).
