The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs (MFA) has listed 16 non-governmental organizations (NGO) alleged to be beneficiaries of grants amounting to Ksh752 million from Ford Foundation.
Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’oei in a letter dated July 18, to the Foundation’s President Darren Walker said some of the 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.”
Korir stated that despite various concessions by the Government, the demands of the protestors have morphed and escalated into attempts at toppling the country’s democratically elected and constitutionally sanctioned government under the guise of the right to demonstrate and assemble.
16 Organizations Funded by Ford Foundation
Among the NGOs listed is Africa Uncensored Limited headed by investigative Journalist Allan Nyamu on Project Mulika which received US$ 250,000 (Ksh. 32.6 million), Women’s Link Worldwide; US$ 750,000 (Ksh 97.8 million), and Centre for Resource Mobilization and Development; US$ 20,000 (Ksh 2.6 million).
Also Read: Ford Foundation Answers Ruto After Accusation of Sponsoring Protests
Transform Empowerment for Action Initiative was granted US$ 220,000 (Ksh27.8 million), Kenya Human Rights Commission; US$ 600,000 9Ksh 78.3 million), Open Institute Trust; US $100,000 (Ksh 13 million) and Africa Centre for Open Governance; US$ 200,000 (Ksh. 26.1M).
Others include Transparency International got US$ 300,000 (Ksh 39.1M), the Institute for Social Accountability (TISA); US$ 200,000 (Ksh. 26.1M), National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders (K); US$ 257,000 (Ksh 33.5M) and Shinning Hope for Communities Inc; US$2,050,000 (Ksh 267.5M).
Also on the list is Coalition for Grassroots Human Rights Defenders Kenya; US$ 250,000 (Ksh 32.6M), Mzalendo Trust; US$ 335,000 (Ksh 43.7M), Community Aid International; US$ 100,000 (Ksh. 13M), Usikimye (Femicide); US$ 30,000 (Ksh 3.9M) and Citizens Advancement Initiative; US$ 150,000 ( Ksh 19.5M).
The PS said the actions of some of the Grantees contravene the laws Kenya, including prohibition against incitement, hate speech, insurrection and mobilization using disinformation.
“Their conduct also fundamentally flouts Ford Foundation’s Non- Lobbying Policy begging the question whether your Foundation has abandoned this policy and is now intent on adversely influencing the internal political and policy processes within the Republic of Kenya,” he said.
Also Read: John Allan Namu Clarifies Receiving Funding from Ford Foundation
Govt Lists Fours Demands to the American NGO
The government now wants the foundation to clear the air on a number of issues touching on its Grantees by responding to four requests.
It wants demanded Ford to provide full details of its Grantees over the last year, the programmes approved (particularly over the last three months), budgets for each project, the amounts so far disbursed and what is pipelined for disbursement:
Furthermore, 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.
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