President William Ruto has shifted his stance on the Ford Foundation, just two months after publicly accusing the U.S.-based organisation of sponsoring violent protests that rocked Kenya.
This notable change of heart comes after Ruto's meeting with Ford Foundation President Darren Walker during his second trip to the United States this year.
The President, who once expressed sharp criticism, now lauds the foundation for its support in critical areas such as democracy, global economic reforms, and climate action.
The head of state struck a different tone after the meeting, underscoring a newfound appreciation for the Ford Foundation’s role.
“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,” remarked Ruto, marking a stark departure from his previous harsh words against the group.
This U-turn comes barely two months after Ruto publicly blamed the Ford Foundation for fuelling demonstrations in Nairobi and other major towns.
The protests, which began on June 18, saw thousands of Kenyans take to the streets in response to high living costs and controversial government policies. Demonstrators clashed with police, leading to multiple casualties and arrests, further intensifying political tensions in the country.
Ruto had previously labelled the protesters as “anonymous, faceless, formless, and foreign-sponsored,” directly implicating the Ford Foundation in his allegations.
In a fiery address on July 22, the President threatened to take action against the so-called external forces, warning that he would “deal” with those undermining Kenya’s stability. “I want to call out those who are behind the anarchy in Kenya, those who are behind sponsoring chaos in the Republic of Kenya. Shame on them, because they are sponsoring violence against our democratic nation,” he declared, pointing fingers at the Ford Foundation.
However, just two days later, Ruto made an unexpected move, ordering the release of all protesters detained since the rallies began. The sudden shift raised eyebrows, with political analysts speculating whether diplomatic pressures influenced his decision. The President had previously vowed to take a hard line on protestors, only to soften his approach within days, leaving many to wonder what prompted the abrupt change.
Ruto’s earlier accusations against the Ford Foundation were met with concern, as he alleged that the group had a hand in financing the unrest that swept through Kenya. His blunt question—"Is that money they are giving out to fund violence, how is it going to benefit them?"—pointed out the depth of his suspicion towards the foundation.
However, no concrete evidence was provided to back these claims, and the foundation itself did not respond directly to the accusations.
