President William Ruto has held discussions with Ford Foundation President Darren Walker in a significant change of tone from his earlier accusations against the organization. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Monday, where the two leaders discussed Kenya’s democratic governance and development efforts.
This marks a departure from Ruto’s sharp criticism in July when he publicly accused the Ford Foundation of funding protests in Kenya, led by the country’s Gen Z population, in response to rising costs of living and tax hikes. At that time, Ruto had charged the foundation with sponsoring violence and threatened to expel the organization from Kenya. However, his most recent engagement with Walker signals a recalibration of his stance toward the U.S.-based philanthropic organization.
In the meeting, President Ruto emphasized Kenya’s commitment to upholding democratic values, including the rule of law and respect for human rights, particularly in the face of global democratic backsliding. He pointed to the growing challenges of disinformation and the manipulation of digital platforms, which he said posed significant threats to Africa’s democratic integrity.
“With democracy under attack in many parts of the world, it is essential to protect our institutions and ensure that they serve the will of the people,” Ruto said during the discussions.
Walker, on his part, praised President Ruto for his leadership on issues of global economic reform, climate change, and technology regulation. He expressed the Ford Foundation’s willingness to continue its support for Kenya’s development initiatives, highlighting the foundation’s longstanding relationship with the East African nation. The Ford Foundation has operated in Kenya for over 60 years, investing in projects related to human rights, governance, and social justice.
“Kenya has always been a priority for us, and we are eager to deepen our collaboration to help advance mutual goals,” Walker stated.
Ruto thanked the Ford Foundation for its long-term investments in Kenya’s social development, and both parties agreed to update the institution’s Host Country Agreement. The aim is to provide a more robust framework for achieving shared objectives, signaling that the relationship between Kenya and the Ford Foundation could strengthen in the coming years.
This meeting comes after a tumultuous summer in Kenya, when nationwide protests erupted in response to Ruto’s Finance Bill 2024, which imposed sweeping tax increases, exacerbating the cost of living. The demonstrations, primarily driven by opposition parties, civil society groups, and young activists, led to violent confrontations with security forces. By mid-July, President Ruto blamed the Ford Foundation for allegedly financing these protests, casting the organization as a destabilizing force.
“We know them. They are sponsoring violence against our democratic nation,” Ruto said during a fiery speech in Nakuru in July. He warned that if the foundation did not “style up,” it could be expelled from the country.
While Ford Foundation remained silent on these allegations at the time, its ongoing grants to organizations promoting transparency, accountability, and human rights were well-documented. Despite the accusations, no direct evidence was made public linking the foundation to any unlawful activity during the protests.
