The President today chose to appreciate the foundation for its support in critical areas such as democracy, global economic reforms, and climate action.
President William Ruto on Tuesday, September 24 met Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation…the very same American private foundation with the stated goal of advancing human welfare which he accused of ‘sponsoring’ violence during the recent anti-government protests.
The meeting with Walker in New York, United States of America (USA), represented a change of stance from his bold remarks in July during a public address to residents at Keringet Market in Nakuru County, where he wondered what the US-based organization was benefiting from sponsoring the demonstrations, claiming it was channelling funds to unidentified groups in Kenya to stage protests and destabilise the country.
The President today chose to appreciate the foundation for its support in critical areas such as democracy, global economic reforms, and climate action.
President William Ruto meeting the Ford Foundation in New York, USA on September 24, 2024. /PCS
“Kenya appreciates the Ford Foundation’s commitment to safeguarding our democracy and supporting Kenya’s calls for reforms in the global economic institutions, climate action and modern technology regulation,” he stated, adding “Held talks with the President of the Ford Foundation Darren Walker in New York.”
The Ford Foundation makes grants through its headquarters and 10 international field offices. It has had operations in Kenya and the larger East Africa region for decades, with its Nairobi office opened in 1963.
As of now, it has grown to become one of the world’s top philanthropic organisations with operations in 11 regions across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and North America.
Prominently known for its grants, the Ford Foundation credits itself with having helped establish the University of Nairobi in 1963 and giving significant grants to universities in Eastern Africa “to invest in the region’s future.”
It has also been at the forefront of advocating for civic justice to protect social justice activists, artists, and marginalised groups.
President Ruto’s remarks sensationally claiming that the organisation held sinister motives and was operating against the best interests and the democracy of the country rattled both national and international circles given the established status of the foundation in the global space.
The Head of State went on to sensationally claim that the organisation held sinister motives and was operating against the best interests and the democracy of the country.
“I want to ask the people at the Ford Foundation what benefit do they gain from giving out money to cause violence?” Ruto questioned, adding “We are going to call them out and we are going to tell them if they are not interested in democracy in Kenya. if they are going to sponsor violence and anarchy, we are going to tell them they either style up or they leave.”
This new development will thus serve to raise plenty of eyebrows, adding to scenarios where President Ruto has said one sensational thing, but his words don’t match his actions, subsequent or otherwise.
The Ford Foundation Center in New York City. /FORD CENTER
