Sharp Daily
No Result
View All Result
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
  • Home
  • News
    • Politics
  • Business
    • Banking
  • Investments
  • Technology
  • Startups
  • Real Estate
  • Features
  • Appointments
  • About Us
    • Meet The Team
Sharp Daily
  • Home
  • News
    • Politics
  • Business
    • Banking
  • Investments
  • Technology
  • Startups
  • Real Estate
  • Features
  • Appointments
  • About Us
    • Meet The Team
No Result
View All Result
Sharp Daily
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Ruto mends ties with Ford Foundation after protests row

Brian Murimi by Brian Murimi
September 24, 2024
in News
Reading Time: 2 mins read

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.

RELATEDPOSTS

Kawira dismisses Ruto’s Meru tour, vows 2027 comeback

March 25, 2025

Ruto reshuffles government to boost economic transformation

March 21, 2025

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.

Previous Post

Ruto deals blow to Safaricom as he endorses Starlink’s entry into Kenyan market

Next Post

Controversial Mung Beans Bill rejected in National Assembly

Brian Murimi

Brian Murimi

Brian Murimi is a journalist with major interests in covering tech, corporates, startups and business news. When he's not writing, you can find him gaming, watching football or sipping a nice cup of tea. Send tips via bireri@thesharpdaily.com

Related Posts

News

Eastern Africa’s unified spectrum strategy to boost broadband

October 27, 2025
News

Start Q4 strong with the Cytonn Money Market Fund

October 9, 2025
News

Kenya Q2’ 2025 GDP growth accelerates to 5.0%

October 3, 2025
News

Argentina’s crisis and Kenya’s lessons on political economy and market confidence

September 25, 2025
News

Kenya’s financial system remains stable but faces rising risks

September 25, 2025
News

Where do Kenyan stock returns come from? A napkin framework

September 19, 2025

LATEST STORIES

How the Cytonn Money Market Fund can help farmers grow their income safely

October 27, 2025

Why the cytonn money market fund remains a reliable choice for low-risk investors

October 28, 2025

Why liquidity and safety define smart investing

October 27, 2025

Eastern Africa’s unified spectrum strategy to boost broadband

October 27, 2025

CBK’s KES 76.5 bn bond buyback eases Kenya’s domestic debt pressures

October 27, 2025

Rironi–Mau summit expressway: Kenya’s game changer for transport and regional growth

October 27, 2025

Kenya tightens crypto regulations after INTERPOL flags terror-financing scheme

October 24, 2025

Sidian Bank reshapes leadership in strategic transition

October 24, 2025
  • About Us
  • Meet The Team
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
Email us: editor@thesharpdaily.com

Sharp Daily © 2024

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Politics
  • Business
    • Banking
  • Investments
  • Technology
  • Startups
  • Real Estate
  • Features
  • Appointments
  • About Us
    • Meet The Team

Sharp Daily © 2024