SLAMDAM Impresses Royals at Kenya State Climate Visit

The Dutch royal visit to Kenya highlighted innovative flood protection solutions, including SLAMDAM by WaveSave. In addition, the visit focused on climate resilience and practical approaches to managing flood risks. As a result, it demonstrated how deployable solutions can support real-world implementation.

Dutch royal visit highlights flood protection in Kenya:

  • Royal Engagement: The King and Queen of the Netherlands dedicated an unprecedented 15 minutes to the SLAMDAM demonstration, the longest visit among all climate innovation exhibits
  • Impressive Assembly: Four SLAMDAM mobile flood barrier modules were deployed, connected, and water-filled, showcasing the system’s rapid deployment capabilities
  • High-Level Attendance: The demonstration attracted the Dutch Foreign Trade & Development Minister, the Dutch Defense Minister, the Ambassador, and numerous Kenyan officials
  • Expert Assessment: King Willem-Alexander, with his background in water management, as well as Queen Máxima asked detailed technical questions about the barrier’s specifications and functionality
  • Community Impact: Local water resource leaders shared real-world success stories of SLAMDAM’s dual role in flood protection and drought mitigation
  • Demonstration
  • Omar Saleh
  • 17 March 2025
  • Reading time: 4 min
A group of men and women stand outdoors in formal attire, some wearing suits and hats, near a large black pipe during a SlamDam mobile flood barrier demonstration, with greenery and water in the background.

Introduction

In March 2025, Lake Naivasha became a focal point for Dutch-Kenyan cooperation on climate resilience. During the Netherlands royal state visit, WaveSave’s mobile flood barrier, SLAMDAM, took centre stage. At the same time, the Dutch-Kenyan Water, Peace & Climate-Security Conference brought together key stakeholders. They explored practical solutions for flooding, drought, and wider environmental challenges affecting Kenya’s agricultural regions.

Purpose of the Royal Visit

The royal delegation’s itinerary highlighted initiatives focused on climate action, water security, and peace. These themes align closely with WaveSave’s mission. During the Dutch royal visit to Kenya, SLAMDAM was presented as a practical flood protection solution. Moreover, it formed part of WaveSave’s broader portfolio of water control solutions used globally. WaveSave contributes to international water management by providing practical and deployable flood protection solutions.

During the demonstration, four standard SLAMDAM units were connected and filled with water to create a 20-metre flood protection barrier. The system uses patented EPDM technology. In addition, it can later be repurposed for water storage during dry seasons. This dual-purpose approach is especially valuable in regions that face both floods and drought. More broadly, the visit formed part of wider Dutch engagement in water and climate resilience initiatives.

Outcomes of the Demonstration

The Dutch royal visit SLAMDAM Kenya moment highlighted the importance of deployable solutions. As a result, the visit created several important opportunities for WaveSave in East Africa:

  • Government Collaboration: The Kenyan Minister of Agriculture expressed immediate interest in SLAMDAM, given Kenya’s ongoing water-related challenges.
  • Community Validation: Samuel Wanjohi, Chair of the Ngusishi Water Resource Users Association, explained how SLAMDAM has already helped protect vulnerable communities. In addition, he described how it supported water harvesting for tree planting during drought periods, directly contributing to sustainable development goals.
  • Media Recognition: The demonstration received extensive coverage across Kenyan and international media platforms, with particular attention from defense and regional development organizations highlighting SlamDam as an exemplary flood management solution.

Recognition for WaveSave and SLAMDAM

The royal visitors’ technical backgrounds increased their appreciation of SLAMDAM’s engineering design. King Willem-Alexander, drawing on his water management expertise, described the system as a “clever marriage of proven materials and scientific design.” In doing so, he recognised both the barrier technology and its potential for flood protection, water harvesting, and storage.

Queen Máxima also praised the solution’s accessibility and community-centred implementation model. This reflects WaveSave’s focus on flood protection systems that local teams can deploy during emergency response situations.

Following the visit, several news outlets identified SLAMDAM as the “stand-out innovation” of the state visit programme. As a result, the profile of this Dutch flood protection technology increased within East African climate adaptation discussions..

Why this visit matters for flood resilience

The Dutch royal visit underscores the growing importance of international collaboration in addressing climate-related challenges such as flooding. By showcasing practical solutions like SLAMDAM, the visit showed how innovation and partnership can support more resilient communities.

In addition, events like these help connect governments, organisations, and solution providers. As a result, they can speed up the adoption of effective flood protection strategies.

During the Dutch royal visit, two men in suits walk and talk on a grassy area at SLAMDAM Kenya, joined by a woman and others, with trees and a building visible in the background.

A woman in a patterned dress shakes hands with a man wearing a "World Vision" vest at an outdoor event, while others stand and smile nearby.

A group of people, some in formal attire, stand on grass near a large black tube with a lake and trees in the background.

A group of people, some in suits, stand outdoors on grass near a tree; a woman in a hat holds a folding fan and smiles while others look on.

A group of men and women stand outdoors in formal attire, some wearing suits and hats, near a large black pipe during a SlamDam mobile flood barrier demonstration, with greenery and water in the background.

Dutch Royal Couple examines innovative SlamDam mobile flood barrier during high-profile Kenya state visit at Lake Naivasha
A group of formally dressed people stand outdoors on grass near a tree and a body of water, engaged in conversation.

A group of people, including a woman in a patterned dress and sunhat and a man in a light suit, stand outdoors near a tree, listening attentively.

A group of people stand outdoors on grass near large black equipment, listening to a speaker, with banners and trees in the background.

A group of people, including a woman in a hat and a man in a blue suit, stand outdoors with a lake and mountains in the background. Two other men, one in uniform, stand behind them.

A group of people, some in suits and formal attire, stand outdoors on grass near a large tree, with a body of water and hills in the background.

A group of formally dressed people stand on grass near a tree and a body of water, smiling and talking on a sunny day.

A group of people stand outdoors, conversing and smiling; one woman in a hat and sunglasses holds a handheld fan.

A group of people, including men in suits and a woman in a patterned dress and hat, stand outdoors near a tree, with a lake and grassy area in the background.

A group of people stands outdoors on grass near a large black pipe, with water and a tree in the background.

A group of people, some formally dressed, stand and walk outdoors near a lakeshore, with promotional banners visible in the background.

Quote from King and Queen of the Netherlands

“King Willem-Alexander, drawing on his water management expertise, described the system as a “clever marriage of proven materials and scientific design”—recognizing the physical barrier technology and its ability to enable flood protection as well as water harnessing and storage.”

– His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, King of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange-Nassau.

Bright Future for WaveSave and SLAMDAM

The royal visit has accelerated WaveSave’s expansion strategy in the region. The company is now scaling its flood management ecosystem. This combines mobile flood barriers with IoT monitoring systems, AI-powered flood prediction mapping, and user-friendly interfaces for decision-makers.

WaveSave also continues to innovate. For example, research is underway on specialised coastal flood defence variants and more sustainable materials for its flood protection products. As climate change intensifies both flood and drought risks, this integrated approach strengthens WaveSave’s position in climate adaptation.

For detailed technical specifications, case studies, and partnership opportunities, visit WaveSave.com. There, you can explore how these proven flood protection systems can help safeguard communities and organisations.

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