U.S Ambassador Meg Whitman calls out Gov't for linking Ford Foundation to protests

US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman has faulted the government for pointing an accusing finger at American-based private company Ford Foundation over allegations of funding anti-government protests between June and July.

Speaking on Citizen TV’s 'The Explainer' show on Tuesday, Whitman defended the Foundation citing its track record as a charitable organisation in the country since it was founded in 1963.

The American envoy said that the Foundation’s leadership has since visited the nation to address the issue, and in due time, everyone would see that it was not behind the demonstrations which left more than 60 people dead.

“I thought that (the accusation) was wrong. The Ford Foundation has worked in this country for almost 60 years, they support many civil society organizations. Civil societies are very important to democracy alongside youths and religious leaders and others,” she said.

“I have been quite vocal with the government and we also had the Ford Foundation General Counsellor and a couple of others here and they are working through this and I think that in the end people will agree that the Ford Foundation had nothing to do with this.”

Whitman said she read malice in blaming the Ford Foundation for funding protests, owing to the fact that there are many US-based organisations such as USAID which undertake similar activities.

She underscored that it was inappropriate for the government to single-handedly shift blame towards the Foundation.

“Of course they fund civil society and so does USAID, the Welcome Trust or the Rockefeller Foundation. So I thought it was very inappropriate for the government to go after the Ford Foundation,” she said.

During the heat of the anti-government protests, President William Ruto came out to accuse the Ford Foundation of sponsoring violence in the country.

He claimed that the Foundation hired goons to cause mayhem during the protests which led to the destruction of property and looting of businesses.

"Nataka niulize watu wa Ford Foundation watuambie hiyo pesa wanatoa, wanatoa ifanye fujo ndio wapate faida gani?" he posed on July 15, 2024 while at a rally in Nakuru.

"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."

The U.S. philanthropic organisation later distanced itself from allegations and reiterated its commitment to transparency and the advancement of civil society causes globally.

"As a charitable foundation with a global presence, our grantmaking is transparent and readily available on our website, www.fordfoundation.org. This includes a database showing where our funds go, as well as highlights from our rich history in East Africa and around the world," the Ford Foundation wrote on its website.

"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."