Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials led by Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei on Thursday held a meeting with officials from the Ford Foundation, a United States-based nonprofit.
According to the PS, the meeting was held to deliberate on issues raised in the letter addressed to Ford Foundation President Darren Walker on July 18 this year.
During the meeting, the officials of the Ford Foundation were urged to responsibly utilize donor funds in a manner that advances the country's constitutional values and developmental aspirations.
The US-based multinational entity was also directed to adhere to the values, operational guidelines and administrative principles as incorporated in the agreement signed between the government and the Ford Foundation.
Consequently, the Ford Foundation was ordered to rigorously monitor the operations of all Grant Beneficiaries for compliance with the country's laws.
During the meeting, the government underscored Kenya's commitment to building a robust civic space that enables citizens' engagement in governance.
“In appreciating the positive and longstanding relationship between Ford Foundation and Kenya government institutions, the meeting noted the imperative for all beneficiaries of Ford Foundation’s grants,” Sing’Oei announced.
"This whether in the government or non-state sector- to responsibly utilize donor funds and to so do in a manner that advances the country's constitutional values."
The agreement comes weeks after President William Ruto accused the Ford Foundation of sponsoring anarchy and violence witnessed during the recent anti-government demonstrations.
Following Ruto's sentiments, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a letter directed to the Ford Foundation President Darren Walker, demanded clarity on the allocation of funds channeled to various Kenyan organisations and the specific activities financed using the funds in question.
In its response, the organisation refuted the allegations and clarified that its presence in Kenya was specifically for charitable purposes.
According to the Foundation, all the information about its operations in Kenya was transparently available on its website.
