The government of Kenya on Wednesday wrote to the Ford Foundation over the possible involvement of some of the organizations receiving its financial backing in recent anti-government protests in the country.
In the letter, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Dr. Korir Sing’Oei raised the issue of violent protests that have recently rocked the country resulting in loss of lives and destruction of property.
While the protests began as efforts aimed at resisting the government’s revenue-raising proposals contained in the Finance Bill, he said the demands of the protestors have “morphed and escalated into attempts at toppling the country’s democratically elected and constitutionally sanctioned government” despite various concessions by the Government.
The PS noted that the government of Kenya was deeply concerned that most of the Ford Foundation’s grantees may have played a central role in the Anti-Finance Bill protests, using finances it has been receiving from the organization, which according to Sing’Oei, have sought to upend the peace and security of the state.
“It is noteworthy that several of Ford Foundation Grantees received a total of US$ 5.78 Million (Ksh 752 Million) between April 2023 and May 2024 – with unexplained expedited funding amounting to US$ 1.49 M (Ksh 194 million) – over the last month alone,” he said
The PS listed 16 organizations operating in Kenya and amount of money they have received from Ford Foundation recently, namely; ·Africa Uncensored Limited (Project Mulika) (US$ 250,000), Women’s Link Worldwide; (US$ 750,000), Centre for Resource Mobilization and Development; (US$ 20,000), Transform Empowerment for Action Initiative: (US$ 220,000), Kenya Human Rights Commission; (US$ 600,000), Open Institute Trust; (the US $100,000), Africa Centre for Open Governance: (US$ 200,000), Transparency International: (US$ 300,000), The Institute for Social Accountability (TISA): (US$ 200,000), National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders (K); (US$ 257,000), Shinning Hope for Communities Inc.; (US$2,050,000), Coalition for Grassroots Human Rights Defenders Kenya (US$ 250,000), Community Aid International; (US$ 100,000), Mzalendo Trust; (US$ 335,000), Usikimye (Femicide); (US$ 30,000), and Citizens Advancement Initiative; (US$ 150,000).
Sing’Oei told Walker that the said funds disbursed to non-state recipients are substantial and must be prudently used to serve legitimate purposes or risk abuse to aid nefarious ends.
“While we recognize the importance of maintaining an open civic space and respect for the principles of open government that we both share, the actions of some of your Grantees contravene the laws of Kenya, including a prohibition against incitement, hate speech, insurrection, and mobilization using disinformation,” he said
“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,” the PS told Ford Foundation’s President
