American non-governmental organization (NGO) Ford Foundation has responded to demands made by the Kenyan government through the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs (MFA).
Ford Foundation in a statement on Friday, July 19, responded to the letter from the MFA which demanded accountability in the grants disbursed to some 16 named NGOs in Kenya by the Foundation.
The American organization noted that its grantmaking is transparent and information about the specific initiatives is available on its official website.
Further, Ford Foundation while highlighting its global presence said that all the information concerning the grants includes a database which shows where all its funds go to.
“We are in receipt of a letter from the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs addressed to the Ford Foundation dated 18 July 2024.
As a charitable foundation with a global presence, our grantmaking is transparent and readily available on our website, www.fordfoundation.org. This includes a database showing where our funds go, as well as highlights from our rich history in East Africa and around the world,” read part of the statement.
At the same time, the organization has repudiated any actions or speech that are hateful or advocate violence against any institution, individual, or community.
This came as it highlighted its acknowledgement of the right of Kenyans to peacefully advocate for a just and equitable country.
Ford Foundation Responds to Kenyan Govt Demands
“We remain ever committed to building on the legacy of the Ford Foundation’s more than 60 years in the region so that Kenyans can unlock opportunities that extend to all,” the statement adds.
Also Read: Ford Foundation: Inside American NGO Ruto Accuses of Funding Protests in Kenya
The American organization was responding to demands made through a letter sent to its President Darren Walker by Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary (PS) Korir Sing’oei.
PS Korir in the July 19 letter listed 16 NGOs alleged to be beneficiaries of grants amounting to Ksh752 million from the Foundation.
According to the PS, some of the said NGOs funded by Ford 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.
“As you may be aware, protests have recently rocked the country resulting in loss of lives and destruction to property. These protests begun as efforts aimed at resisting the government’s revenue raising proposals contained in the Finance Bill, an annual legislation mandated to implement the national budget,” reads the statement in part.
“It is noteworthy that several of your Grantees below mentioned received a total of US$ 5.78 Million (approximately Kenya Shillings 752 million) between April 2023 and May 2024 with unexplained expedited funding amounting to US$ 1.49 M (approximately Kenya shillings 194 million) over the last month alone.”
Demands & Accusations
PS Korir in his letter said the government wanted the foundation to clear the air on a number of issues touching on its Grantees by responding to four requests.
Also Read: Govt Lists Beneficiaries of Ksh752 M Grants from Ford Foundation Amid Protests Link
It demanded full details from Ford regarding its grantees over the last year, the programs approved (particularly over the last three months), budgets for each project, the amounts so far disbursed and what is pipelined for disbursement.
Korir want reports from Ford’s Grantees detailing the activities carried out, the cost of these activities and their beneficiaries.
At the same time, the PS asked Ford to share a report on Ford Foundation’s compliance with its Non-Lobbying Policy or a statement that this policy is inapplicable to its activities in the country and prescribe any sanctions it will impose for breaches of the law or your internal policies.
The demands were made after President William Ruto on Monday accused the Foundation of financing the recent anti-government protests in Kenya.
Ruto while addressing Kenyans in Nakuru County talked tough reiterating the need for peace in Kenya and proceeded to claim that some parties were huge beneficiaries of the protests in Kenya.
President Ruto alleged that the parties in question had been channeling funds to unidentified groups in Kenya to destabilize the country through staging protests.
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