The Ford Foundation has strongly refuted claims by Kenyan President William Ruto that it is sponsoring recent protests in the country.
In a statement released yesterday, the US-based philanthropic organisation emphasised its long-standing commitment to Kenya’s development while distancing itself from the ongoing demonstrations against the controversial Finance Bill 2024 and calls for Ruto’s resignation.
The Ford Foundation highlighted its six-decade-long history of supporting Kenya’s democratic institutions and development initiatives. “Since 1963, the Ford Foundation has a rich history of commitment to ensuring the independence of East Africa’s democratic institutions,” the statement read, outlining the organisation’s contributions to various sectors, including education and civil service.
The foundation categorically denied any involvement in the recent protests, stating, “We do not fund or sponsor the recent protests against the finance bill and have a strictly non-partisan policy for all of our grantmaking.” This assertion directly contradicts President Ruto’s claims, which have raised concerns about the relationship between international organisations and domestic politics in Kenya.
While acknowledging Kenyans’ right to peaceful advocacy, the Ford Foundation took a firm stance against violence. “We repudiate any actions or speech that are hateful or advocate violence against any institution, individual, or community,” the statement emphasised, distancing the organisation from the more turbulent aspects of the ongoing demonstrations.
The controversy comes at a critical time for Kenya, as the country grapples with widespread discontent over rising living costs and proposed tax increases. The protests, which began last month have seen violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces, resulting in dozens of casualties and hundreds of injuries.
The Ford Foundation’s statement also highlighted its recent support for Kenya’s international initiatives, including “the inaugural African Climate Summit held in 2023 in Nairobi and Kenya’s current leadership as co-chair of the Open Government Partnership.” This emphasis on Kenya’s global role appears to be an attempt to reaffirm the foundation’s commitment to the country’s development on both domestic and international fronts.
