THE ROYAL COUPLE OF NETHERLANDS VISIT TO IPSTC
On 20 March 2025, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands visited the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC) in Karen as part of their state visit to Kenya. The visit underscored the strong diplomatic ties between Kenya and Netherlands, and reaffirmed Netherlands’ commitment to supporting peace and security efforts in Africa.
During their visit to the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC), King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima had the opportunity to observe an ongoing course on United Nations Military Peacekeeping Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance(UN PKISR), a program sponsored by the Netherlands. The visit also involved a course review, where facilitators highlighted the impact of Dutch support in enhancing the effectiveness of intelligence-led peacekeeping efforts.
The Royal Couple attended a special presentation showcasing the ongoing collaboration between the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the Netherlands through an artistic lens. The presentation highlighted the strong partnership between the two nations in areas such as peacekeeping intelligence training, and capacity building. Through a series of paintings, artists depicted the shared efforts in regional stability, humanitarian missions, and counter-terrorism initiatives. The artwork served as a visual narrative of the impact of Dutch support in strengthening Kenya’s defence and peacekeeping capabilities.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima met with members of Mothers of Nairobi, a community-led initiative dedicated to preventing violent extremism and supporting affected families. The discussion highlighted the organization’s innovative Integrated Problem Mapping and Solution Finding System (iMaSS), a structured approach that helps identify root causes of radicalization and develop tailored interventions. Through iMaSS, Mothers of Nairobi provide mental health support, reduce stigmatization, raise awareness, and address security profiling challenges within communities. With the backing of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), they receive training and resources to strengthen their efforts in countering extremism. The royal couple commended the program’s impact, emphasizing the importance of grassroots initiatives in fostering sustainable peace and security.
The visit emphasized the vital role of international collaboration in addressing peacekeeping challenges further affirming Netherlands commitment to supporting capacity building efforts in the region.
