The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has issued an update on the row between the government and American Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Ford Foundation following a meeting attended by delegations representing both factions.
In a statement on Thursday, August 1, 2024, Permanent Secretary (PS) for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Dr. Korir Sing’oei said that the Ministry hosted a delegation from the Ford Foundation with a view of addressing issues raised in his letter to the President of the Foundation, Darren Walker.
PS Korir had in the letter sent on July demanded for accountability in the grants disbursed to 16 NGOs in Kenya by the Foundation, following accusations that the American NGO was financing anti-government protests in the country.
“Today, we hosted a delegation from the Ford Foundation led by Mr. Martin Abregu, the Vice President for International Programs & Nishka Chandrasoma, Vice President & General Counsel, with a view to exchanging views on issues raised in my letter to the president of the Ford Foundation on 18 July 2024,” said Korir.
Korir highlighted that he underscored Kenya’s commitment to building a robust civic space that enables citizens’ engagement in governance during the constructive, and candid discussions between the two delegations.
PS Korir Meets Ford Foundation Delegation
According to the PS, the delegations appreciated the positive and longstanding relationship between Ford Foundation and Kenya government, institutions and people.
Both factions in regard to this noted the imperative for all beneficiaries of Ford Foundation’s grants to responsibly utilize donor funds and to so do in a manner that advances the country’s constitutional values and developmental aspirations.
“The meeting noted the imperative for all beneficiaries of Ford Foundation’s grants- whether in government or non-state sector- to responsibly utilize donor funds and to so do in a manner that advances the country’s constitutional values and developmental aspirations while safeguarding the security and stability of the State,” said Korir.
Additionally, Korir said that the meeting noted the importance of adherence by Grant Beneficiaries with the values, operational guidelines and administrative principles under the Ford Foundation’s Cooperation Agreement with Kenya.
The PS noted that it is the expectation of the government that the Ford Foundation shall rigorously and across project cycles monitor operations of all Grant Beneficiaries for compliance.
Also Read: Ford Foundation President to Step Down Amid War with Ruto
Expectations
Consequently, the Foundation is expected to ensure that any material departure from the terms of the Cooperation Agreement or Kenyan law, particularly those that advance objectives incompatible with national interest, must attract sanctions.
The meeting was convened after Ford Foundation responded to the letter from the MFA which demanded accountability in the grants disbursed to some 16 named NGOs in Kenya by the Foundation.
In a statement on Friday, July 19, the American NGO noted that its grantmaking is transparent and that information about the specific initiatives is available on its official website.
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.
Also Read: Truth Behind Ford Foundation Funding First Lady Rachel Ruto’s NGO
The American organization was responding to demands made through the letter sent to its President Darren Walker by PS Korir who listed 16 Kenyan 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 were 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.
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