NAIROBI, Kenya – United States Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, has spoken out against the Kenyan government’s recent accusations that the Ford Foundation was behind the recent wave of anti-government protests in the country.
Whitman, in her remarks, underscored the longstanding support the Ford Foundation has extended to Kenya’s civil society, highlighting its vital role in promoting democracy.
“I thought it was wrong,” Whitman stated. “The Ford Foundation has worked in this country for almost 60 years. They support many civil society organizations. Civil society is very important to democracy alongside youth and religious leaders. I think that in the end, people will agree that the Ford Foundation had nothing to do with this.”
Whitman revealed that she has already communicated her concerns to the Kenyan government and expressed optimism about resolving the misunderstanding.
She emphasized that while the Ford Foundation does indeed fund various civil society groups, so do many other foundations, and this support is crucial for fostering a healthy democratic environment.
Her statements come on the heels of a letter from Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Korir Sing’oei, which expressed concerns over the financial activities of certain organizations funded by the Ford Foundation.
The letter claimed that some of these organizations had spent millions of shillings in a suspicious manner during the period the protests were being organized.
According to Sing’oei’s letter, a total of $5.78 million (approximately Sh752 million) had been disbursed to various grantees between April 2023 and May 2024, with $1.49 million (approximately Sh194 million) allegedly funneled in an “unexplained expedited” manner just last month.
The Ford Foundation, however, has consistently denied these allegations, insisting that their funding operations are transparent and accountable.
The Foundation has maintained that its mission in Kenya remains focused on supporting social justice, development initiatives, and the strengthening of democratic institutions.
Whitman, in her remarks, underscored the longstanding support the Ford Foundation has extended to Kenya’s civil society, highlighting its vital role in promoting democracy.
“I thought it was wrong,” Whitman stated. “The Ford Foundation has worked in this country for almost 60 years. They support many civil society organizations. Civil society is very important to democracy alongside youth and religious leaders. I think that in the end, people will agree that the Ford Foundation had nothing to do with this.”
Whitman revealed that she has already communicated her concerns to the Kenyan government and expressed optimism about resolving the misunderstanding.
She emphasized that while the Ford Foundation does indeed fund various civil society groups, so do many other foundations, and this support is crucial for fostering a healthy democratic environment.
Her statements come on the heels of a letter from Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Korir Sing’oei, which expressed concerns over the financial activities of certain organizations funded by the Ford Foundation.
The letter claimed that some of these organizations had spent millions of shillings in a suspicious manner during the period the protests were being organized.
According to Sing’oei’s letter, a total of $5.78 million (approximately Sh752 million) had been disbursed to various grantees between April 2023 and May 2024, with $1.49 million (approximately Sh194 million) allegedly funneled in an “unexplained expedited” manner just last month.
The Ford Foundation, however, has consistently denied these allegations, insisting that their funding operations are transparent and accountable.
The Foundation has maintained that its mission in Kenya remains focused on supporting social justice, development initiatives, and the strengthening of democratic institutions.
