American Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Ford Foundation has been making headlines in Kenya after the government accused it of funding anti-government protests in the country.
The organization refuted the claims before the government went ahead to make demands for accountability of funds disbursed in form of grants to select Kenyan NGOs.
Amid the demands and accusations made by the government against the American organization, reports emerged that First Lady Rachel Ruto has also been a beneficiary of grants disbursed by Ford Foundation through her organization.
The Kenya Times (TKT) conducted a fact check and indeed confirmed that the First Lady’s Joyful Women Organization (JOYWO) in which she is the founder, has been a beneficiary of the grants.
Joyful Women Organization has received 2 grants from Ford Foundation since 2006, according to the American Foundation’s East Africa Grantee’s page.
In November 2014, the organization received a total amount of $100,119 (Approx Ksh13,115,589 in the current exchange rate) from Ford.
Joyful Women Organization’s Grants from Ford
The grant was aimed at ‘Promoting “table banking” micro-loan models that encourage women’s enterprise and livelihood projects.
In the other confirmed grants, Joyful Women Organization received $105,000 (Approximately Ksh13.75 million in the current exchange rate) which was approved in May 2020.
Also Read: Ford Foundation Responds to Ruto’s Demand Letter
The grant was in “Support for automation of operations for institutional strengthening”.
According to its website, Joyful Women Organization (Joywo)was formed out of a passion by the Patron and Founder First lady Rachel Ruto to see women meet their basic needs and fulfil their potential.
“Joyful Women is a non-profit Organization that was founded in 2009 out of compassion for the woman that is excluded from the financial sector but who has a desire and a need to access credit and financing,” it states.
Its mandate is to promote Women Economic Empowerment in Kenya and beyond through financial inclusion, collective agency, voice and influence.
In addition, its flagship project has been providing financial resources to women to engage in livelihood projects through table banking.
Ford Foundation in Kenya
The organization is among Kenyan NGOs that have benefitted from Ford Foundation’s grants.
Also Read: Ford Foundation: Inside American NGO Ruto Accuses of Funding Protests in Kenya
Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary in a July 19, 2024, letter sent to Ford Foundation President Darren Walker demanded accountability of the grants disbursed to some 16 named NGOs.
PS Korir listed the 16 NGOs alleged to be beneficiaries of grants amounting to Ksh752 million from the Foundation.
Some of the said NGOs funded by Ford, according to the PS, have been at the center of the Anti-Finance Bill protests and the subsequent anarchic mobilizations that have sought to upend the peace and security of the state.
Following the letter, some Kenyans were quick to highlight that the Foundation has also funded Rachel Ruto’s NGO in the past.
PS Korir Sing’oei while responding to the concerns raised about Ford Foundation funding the first lady’s NGO following his demand letter asked interested parties to make similar requests.
“The letter requests information from Ford Foundation with respect to specific grants. It is a targeted request and does not impugn the organization’s activities writ large. I am sure a similar request to the organization on its funding to joywo, OGP and others can equally be made by any concerned person,” said the PS.
The American NGO which runs civic education and government programs around the globe including Kenya, under its East Africa program has since responded to the government.
In a statement on Friday, July 19, noted that its grantmaking is transparent and information about the specific initiatives is available on its official website.
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