Kenya says US-based Ford Foundation funding anti-government protests
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The Ford Foundation has been placed on notice after President Ruto's government accused it of backing the deadly protests that swept the country throughout June and July.
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Protesters are detained by riot policemen during protests accusing the president of poor governance and calling for his resignation, in Nairobi, Kenya, July 16, 2024. (AP)
The Kenyan government has placed the US-based Ford Foundation on notice amid suspicion regarding its funding practices, accusing it of sponsoring the deadly anti-government protests that wreaked chaos across the country throughout the month.
Protests swept Kenya after President William Ruto proposed a large reduction in public spending last week amid growing popular outrage. 39 people have been killed and 361 have been reportedly injured, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights announced in a statement on July 6.
The government consequently addressed Ford Foundation President Darren Walker, raising questions about significant funds distributed to several non-state actors allegedly involved in the anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests.
Reportedly, the letter, sent by Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’Oei questions the Foundation's funding practices which have pumped almost $5.78 million into several recipients, including non-governmental organizations such as Africa Uncensored Limited, Women's Link Worldwide, and the Kenya Human Rights Commission, between April 2023 and May 2024.
The government relayed its "deep concerns" after finding $1.49 million in additional funding over the past month alone, coinciding with the ignition of the protests.
President Ruto claimed the money was used to fund the reportedly violent protests that sought to destabilize the government, which was democratically instated.
Ruto directly addressed the Ford Foundation in a Sunday address, asking "I want to ask the people at the Ford Foundation, what benefit do they gain from funding chaos? We are going to call them out and we are going to tell them if they are not interested in democracy in Kenya, if they are going to sponsor violence and anarchy we are going to call them out and we are going to tell them they either style up or they leave."
The government further demanded detailed statements and accounts clarifying where the funds are allocated and deference to its non-lobbying policy.
Kenyan police tear gas protesters calling for President Ruto to resign
Ruto and his government have been the center of backlash since the Finance Bill was proposed, with protesters calling for their resignation throughout the anti-government demonstrations.
Earlier this week, police used tear gas on dozens of protesters on Tuesday as calls for the resignation of President William Ruto spread around the nation.
Rights organizations have accused police of deploying excessive force, amid claims of abductions.
An AFP journalist reported that young people armed with clubs stood guard outside their companies in Nairobi's central business sector, the epicenter of previous protests, where there was a strong police presence.
Eldoret, the president's stronghold in the Rift Valley, and Kisumu, the home of the opposition, also saw protests, while the small groups held signs that said, "Stop killing protesters" and "Justice for Gen-Zs" yelling, "We are protesting peacefully."
