President William Ruto has publicly accused the Ford Foundation, an American private organization, of financing the ongoing protests in Kenya. He claims that these protests, characterized by violence and chaos, are not organic but are being sponsored by the Ford Foundation. Ruto has called on the Ford Foundation to explain its role in the protests and has threatened to expel the organization from Kenya if it does not stop sponsoring violence.
“We have no use for anarchy, violence, loss of lives, and destruction,” Ruto said during an address in Nakuru. “We know them. They are sponsoring violence against our democratic nation. Nataka kuwauliza watu wa Ford Foundation watuambie hiyo pesa wanatoa ifanye fujo, wanatoa wapate faida gani? We are going to ask them to style up or they leave.”
The protests in Kenya, which began last month and have continued into 2024, have been primarily driven by a series of tax hikes and the Finance Bill 2024. These measures have significantly increased the cost of living in the country, leading to widespread public discontent. The protests have been marked by demonstrations, strikes, and clashes with police, resulting in numerous casualties and injuries.
The initial trigger for the protests was the Finance Bill 2024, which proposed a raft of tax increases. This sparked a wave of demonstrations across the country, with protesters demanding the withdrawal of the bill. The protests have been led by various groups, including opposition parties, civil society organizations, and ordinary citizens.
The situation escalated in June 2024 when protesters stormed the Kenyan Parliament, setting it alight. In response, President William Ruto declared the protests “treasonous” and vowed to prevent violence “at whatever cost.” The government deployed the military to support the police, leading to a heavy-handed response that resulted in numerous casualties.
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, at least 39 people have been killed and 361 injured in relation to the protests. There have also been reports of extrajudicial executions and abductions, further exacerbating the situation.
Despite the government’s efforts to quell the protests, they have continued. In July 2024, the opposition announced another round of protests, demanding justice for the victims and the resignation of several government officials. The situation remains tense, with the potential for further violence and unrest. The protests have seen the cabinet dissolved, and the bill withdrawn.
A review of the Ford Foundation’s website reveals that the organization has funded numerous initiatives in Kenya. These include substantial grants to organizations like Mzalendo Trust, This Ability Trust, and Transparency International Kenya, among others. The foundation’s funding aims to promote transparency, accountability, and human rights.
For instance, in June 2024, the Ford Foundation granted $335,000 to Mzalendo Trust to promote open, inclusive, and accountable parliaments across Kenya and Africa. Other recent grants include $100,000 to This Ability Trust for advancing disability rights and $50,000 to the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders-Kenya for protecting human rights defenders in East Africa.
The Ford Foundation has yet to respond to President Ruto’s allegations.
