Change of heart? Ruto makes U-turn on Ford Foundation, praises them for supporting Kenya

This is after he held talks with the Foundation's president, Darren Walker in New York, praising the organisation for supporting Kenya's call for economic reforms. 

The president's compliments have led to critics wondering what informed his sudden change of heart towards the Foundation. 

"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," the president noted. 

"Held talks with the President of the Ford Foundation Darren Walker in New York," he added. 

In July, the president called out the Foundation, claiming that the organisation sponsored the violent protests that led to the destruction of property and looting of businesses.

At the time, he confirmed that the government would not spare any organisation that sponsored violence in the streets. 

"Nataka niulize watu wa Ford Foundation watuambie hio pesa wanatoa, wanatoa ifanye fujo ndio wapate faida gani?" he posed a question during a tour in Nakuru County. 

"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 call them out and we are going to tell them they either style up or they leave," he added. 

Following the accusations, a letter from the Foreign Affairs Ministry demanded the Foundation to provide full details of beneficiaries, approved programs, budgets and disbursements over the past year. 

In response, the Foundation distanced itself from the claims and reaffirmed its commitment to upholding social justice in the society. 

"While we continue to acknowledge the right of Kenyans to peacefully advocate for a just and equitable country, we repudiate any actions or speech that are hateful or advocate violence against any institution, individual, or community," read part of Ford Foundation's statement.