Netherlands pledges to help Kenya fight terrorism

The Netherlands Ambassador to Kenya Joost Reintjes speaks Tuesday when he called on Standard Group CEO Sam Shollei (left).  [Photo: Moses Omusula/Standard]

By Faith Ronoh

Kenya: The Dutch government has pledged to assist Kenya in the fight against terror attacks.

The Netherlands ambassador to Kenya, Mr Joost Reintjes, said his country’s security personnel were working closely with their Kenyan counterparts to ensure safety for all.

“Security has been a worrying issue for the past few months but even then, we stand with Kenyans and are ready to cooperate with them during this time,” Reintjes said Tuesday when he called on Standard Group CEO Sam Shollei.

Twin blasts

This comes after six people were on Monday night killed and others injured following twin blasts in Eastleigh’s California area in Nairobi.

• .

  Keep Reading

• 
  How Ministry is fighting cross-border security threats
• 
  Civil servants face the axe as Ruto seeks to ease ballooning wage bill
• 
  Involve counties in war against violent extremism, government told
• 
  State now banks on revised strategy to counter terrorism

Just a day before the blast, a suspected terrorist had been killed in Pangani after an improvised explosive he was assembling exploded in his house.

Prior to that, six people were killed and others wounded following an attack at a Likoni church in Mombasa.

The envoy said there was reason to be concerned following recent attacks but maintained that his country will not alter its travel advisory to Kenya.

“We do not ask our citizens to avoid travelling to Kenya. We only advise them to be careful even as they carry on with their daily activities in various parts of this country,” he said.

Reintjes also recognised The Netherlands trade relations with Kenya, saying the latter will continue enjoying the biggest flower and horticultural market in Holland.

He added that the over 450,000 Dutch citizens living in Kenya will also continue contributing towards the growth of the Kenyan economy.

The tourism sector, he said, also commands a huge share of the Dutch government, saying despite the rising cases of insecurity, citizens still visit thanks to Kenya’s outstanding attraction.

Mr Shollei said the horticultural and tourism sectors in Kenya were largely driven by Dutch clients, representing a huge amount of foreign exchange earnings.

He appreciated the existing friendship between the two countries and expressed hope that the cordial relationship would be strengthened to benefit its citizens.