President William Ruto has accused the Ford Foundation, a private American foundation, of sponsoring violence during anti-government protests.
Speaking in Nakuru on Monday, July 15, 2024, Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto alleged that the Foundation hired thugs to cause chaos during the protests that led to destruction of property and looting of businesses.
“I want to ask the people at the Ford Foundation to tell us that the money they are giving, they are giving it to create disorder, so what benefit do they get from it?” he questioned, stressing that if they are not interested in democracy in Kenya, if they support violence and anarchy, they will be arrested.
William Ruto also said his government would not spare anyone who funds Kenyan youths to cause chaos on the streets during peaceful protests.
Minutes later, after his public engagement, President Ruto took to his X account to reiterate his claims, calling on the Foundation to clarify the situation and refute the allegations.
“Our youth are not available for retrograde missions. Those who fund them to cause violence and chaos should be ashamed. We call on the Ford Foundation to explain to Kenyans its role in the recent protests,” he wrote.
He strongly expressed his belief that the destruction of critical state infrastructure, including Parliament, was carried out by young thugs whom he described as criminals.
It must be said that the Fondation Forda non-governmental organization (NGO), was founded in 1963 by Edsel Ford, chairman of the Ford Motor Company, to administer charitable funds for scientific and educational purposes.
The philanthropic organization has grown into a powerful humanitarian institution basing its operations in 11 regions across Africa, Asia, Latin America and North America.
In East Africa, they have worked in partnership with Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to advocate for civic justice to protect social justice activists, having disbursed more than $10.7 million since 2009.
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