In what seems to be an effort to mend a previously strained relationship, President William Ruto met with Darren Walker, the head of the Ford Foundation, on Tuesday, September 24. The meeting occurred months after Ruto had accused the American foundation of sponsoring youth movements in Kenya. Currently in the US for the 79th UN General Assembly, Ruto shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account: “Kenya appreciates the Ford Foundation’s dedication to safeguarding our democracy and supporting Kenya’s demands for modern technology regulation, climate action, and reforms in international economic institutions.”
Earlier this year, President Ruto responded to an unexpected surge of youth protests in Kenya by issuing a notice to what he described as the “financiers of the protestors.” These demonstrations, primarily driven by discontent over the nation’s governance, prompted Ruto to warn foreign organizations against what he claimed were attempts to destabilize Kenya’s democracy. He made it clear that his administration would not tolerate any moves toward anarchy or revolution. “Kenya is a democratic nation governed by elected officials under the rule of law. Chaos or revolution are not viable paths to governance,” Ruto asserted.
Speaking in Keringet, Kuresoi South, Nakuru County, President Ruto reiterated: “We will ensure that those behind these protests face the full weight of the law. Our youth are not pawns in a regressive agenda. Those financing acts of violence and chaos should be ashamed. We demand that the Ford Foundation clarifies its involvement in the recent protests to Kenyans. They must either align with democratic principles or leave Kenya.” He further vowed to expose anyone attempting to undermine the nation’s hard-won democracy.
Following these declarations, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei requested an accountability report from the Ford Foundation. The report was to clarify how Sh752 million was allocated to 16 organizations in Kenya between April 2023 and May 2024. This came after claims that some fast-tracked donations—totaling $1.49 million (Sh194 million)—were made without explanation in June 2024.
In response, the Ford Foundation issued an official statement refuting President Ruto’s accusations. According to Tolu Onafowokan, the foundation’s head of strategic communications, “We adhere to a strictly non-partisan policy in all our grantmaking. We do not fund or sponsor the recent protests against the Finance Bill.”