"I want to call out those behind the chaos in Kenya. Shame on them for funding violence against our democratic nation. I ask the Ford Foundation-how does funding violence benefit them?" Ruto said at the time.
Days later, the Foundation denied the accusations, listing at least 401 Kenyan grantees who had received funding between 2006 and 2024, none of whom had criminal records.
Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing'oei also met with a Foundation delegation led by Martin Abregu, Vice President for International Programs, to discuss concerns raised in a July 18, 2024 letter to the Foundation's president.
"During our candid discussions, I emphasised Kenya's commitment to fostering a robust civic space that encourages citizen engagement in governance," Sing'oei said.
In the letter, the PS noted that some organisations funded by the Ford Foundation were involved in anti-government protests.
"It is noteworthy that several of your grantees received a total of Sh752 million between April 2023 and May 2024, with an unexplained expedited funding of Sh194 million over the past month," the letter stated.
After the Kenyan government's accusations, Ruto's meeting with the Ford Foundation now raises eyebrows.