During his official visit to Kenya, Dutch King Willem-Alexander surprised many with a personal revelation about his past ties to the country and his role in conservation efforts. The King, accompanied by Queen Máxima, attended a state banquet hosted in his honor on Tuesday, where he shared a unique and unexpected story from his time in Kenya.
King Willem-Alexander explained that his love for Africa was deeply rooted in his childhood, thanks to his father, who had spent part of his early years in Tanganyika (now Tanzania). “My passion for Africa was instilled in me by my father,” the King said, before recalling his own experiences working in Kenya during the 1980s and 1990s. “I first came to Africa as a pilot for AMREF Flying Doctors, and later, I worked with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to help protect elephants from poachers in Meru National Park.”
The King then surprised the guests by sharing a personal detail about his time as a pilot in Kenya. “Interestingly, the only pilot’s license I ever had was not Dutch but Kenyan,” he revealed. “It was issued to me in 1989 by Gladys, who worked on the first floor, first office on the left.” His nostalgic recollection left the audience both amused and impressed by his hands-on experience with conservation in Kenya.
King Willem-Alexander’s visit, which began on March 18, also focuses on strengthening the relationship between Kenya and the Netherlands. During the trip, significant bilateral agreements are expected to be signed, and a tree-planting initiative will take place to promote environmental sustainability. The King’s personal connection to Kenya added an emotional layer to the visit, further strengthening the ties between the two nations.
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