Kenyan Government Raises Concerns Over Ford Foundation Grantees’ Alleged Involvement in Anti-Government Protests

The Kenyan government has written to the Ford Foundation, expressing deep concerns over the possible involvement of some of the organizations receiving its financial backing in the recent anti-government protests in the country.

In the letter, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Dr. Korir Sing’Oei noted that the protests, which began as efforts to resist the government’s revenue-raising proposals in the Finance Bill, have “morphed and escalated into attempts at toppling the country’s democratically elected and constitutionally sanctioned government.”

Sing’Oei stated 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 the finances they have been receiving from the organization.

He claimed that these funds have sought to “upend the peace and security of the state.”

The PS provided a list of 16 organizations operating in Kenya that have received a total of $5.78 million (Ksh 752 million) from the Ford Foundation between April 2023 and May 2024, with an “unexplained expedited funding” of $1.49 million (Ksh 194 million) over the last month alone.

Sing’Oei told the Ford Foundation’s President, Walker, that the government of Kenya recognizes the importance of maintaining an open civic space and respect for the principles of open government, but the actions of some of the foundation’s grantees have “contravened the laws of Kenya, including a prohibition against incitement, hate speech, insurrection, and mobilization using disinformation.”

He further questioned whether the Ford Foundation has “abandoned” its Non-Lobbying Policy and is now “intent on adversely influencing the internal political and policy processes within the Republic of Kenya.”