Ford to Kenya: Our Grant Making Processes are Fully Transparent.

A day after the government lodged a formal complaint with the Ford Foundation over its alleged involvement in the recent protests, the organization has responded.

In a subtle statement appearing to deny any involvement, the Foundation emphasized its commitment to transparency in all its activities.

The information, it stated, is public and “readily accessible” on its website.

“As a charitable foundation with a global presence, our grant-making is transparent and readily available on our website,” the statement said.

This includes a database of where its funds are channelled, as well as “highlights from our rich history in East Africa and around the world.”

The Foundation also reiterated its support for the right of Kenyans to peacefully advocate for a just and equitable country while denouncing any acts that promote violence.

“…We repudiate any actions or speech that are hateful or advocate violence against any institution, individual, or community,” the statement reads.

It also stated its commitment to building on its 60-year legacy in the region so that Kenyans can unlock opportunities that benefit them.

On Friday, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei wrote to the organization listing 16 NGOs said to be behind the protests and made some demands.

“It is noteworthy that several of your Grantees mentioned below received a total of US$ 5.78 million (approximately Kenya Shillings 752 million) between April 2023 and May 2024 – with unexplained expedited funding amounting to US$ 1.49 million (approximately Kenya Shillings 194 million) over the last month alone,” Sing’oei said in a letter dated July 18, 2024.

Sing’oei stated that the substantial funds disbursed to non-state recipients must be prudently used to “serve legitimate purposes or risk abuse to aid nefarious ends.”

Kenya has requested the Foundation to clarify four key issues regarding their grantees.

These include providing full details of their grantees over the last year, the programmes approved (particularly over the last three months), budgets for each project, the amounts disbursed so far, and what is pipelined for disbursement.

“Furnish us with reports from your grantees detailing the activities carried out, the cost of these activities, and their beneficiaries,” Sing’oei stated in the second demand.

The PS also wants the Ford Foundation to share a report on its compliance with its Non-Lobbying Policy or a statement that this policy is inapplicable to its activities in the country.

Kenya has also requested the Foundation to prescribe any sanctions it will impose for breaches of the law or their internal policies.

The government regretted that the recent protests had led to the loss of lives and destruction of property, despite the government conceding to the demands that prompted the protests in their early stages.

“These protests began as efforts aimed at resisting the government’s revenue-raising proposals contained in the Finance Bill, an annual legislation mandated to implement the national budget,” Sing’oei said.