President William Ruto on Monday accused the Ford Foundation, an American Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) of financing the recent anti-government protests in Kenya.
While addressing Kenyans at Keringet Market in Nakuru County, Ruto talked tough reiterating the need for peace in Kenya and proceeded to claim that some parties were huge beneficiaries of the protests in Kenya.
The President alleged that the parties in question had been funnelling funds to unidentified groups in Kenya to stage protests and destabilise the country.
"Those who are sponsoring the violence, we know them and I want to call out those who are behind the anarchy in Kenya. Shame on them!" Ruto stated.
President Ruto further alleged that the organisation harboured ill motives and was operating against Kenya's best interests and democracy.
"I want to ask the people from Ford Foundation to explain to us what they seek to gain by destabilising Kenya's democracy," stated Ruto.
Earlier on during the day, President Ruto had reiterated similar sentiments while on a development tour in Nakuru.
“I want to tell those people who are taking money and trying to fund violence in Kenya that I will stop them. We want peace and that is our stand,” he added.
The President further urged the youth to avoid being cronies of such powerful parties.
“Our young people, please don't allow people to make our country a country of war, destruction and chaos.
Incidentally, the president's remarks follow those of the Government’s Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura made on June 22 where he claimed that some international players were involved in funding the protests.
Mwaura further remarked that some foreign powers were not happy with Ruto’s efforts to end reliance on the United States Dollar as the main currency for international trade, hence their interference in Kenyan politics.
The government had on July 3 indicated that the police were investigating six politicians, a businessman, and two Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) believed to be financing the protests.
Among those being investigated were a politician from Rift Valley, three from Nairobi, and two from Central Kenya. A businessman based in the Rift Valley, and two NGOs — one local and one international — were being investigated as well.
