Ruto's about turn on Ford Foundation

President William Ruto yesterday changed his tune on the Ford Foundation, which he had accused of sponsoring protests that nearly toppled his government.

The president now describes the foundation as a critical pillar of democracy.

Ruto, who is attending the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in the US, met with Ford Foundation President Darren Walker.

“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. Held talks with the President of the Ford Foundation Darren Walker in New York,” the President posted on X.

At the height of the Gen Z protests as they rejected the Finance Bill 2014, Ruto accused foreign forces, including the Ford Foundation, of sponsoring the anti-government protests.

“We are going to call them out and we are going to tell them if they are not interested in democracy in Kenya, if they are going to sponsor violence and anarchy, we are going to call them out and we are going to tell them they either style up or they leave,” Ruto said in July.

But the group, which seeks to advance social justice and promote democratic values, denied the accusations.

During their meeting, Ruto underscored Kenya’s commitment to democratic governance, rule of law, and respect for human rights.

Ruto spoke just days after three protesters, who were arrested for allegedly participating in demonstrations, were released after being held incommunicado for a month. There are scores of other youths who were abducted for participating in protests that are still unaccounted for.

Walker lauded Ruto for being a strong voice at the international stage on matters touching on reforming global economic governance institutions, climate change, and technology regulation and committed Ford’s willingness to support Kenya.

President Ruto thanked the foundation for investing in Kenya’s development over the last 60 years and agreed on the need to upgrade the institution’s Host Country Agreement and provide a robust framework for realisation of mutual objectives.

Present during the meeting were former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. 

Separately, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei said the meeting between Ruto, Walker and his team underscored Kenya’s commitment to democratic governance, rule of law and respect for human rights.

Like his boss, the PS said the meeting agreed on the imperative to safeguard democracy, particularly in Africa, from the vicissitudes of disinformation and manipulation of the digital space for non-democratic ends.

“Ford Foundation’s President applauded President Ruto for being a strong voice at the international stage on matters touching on reforming global economic governance institutions, climate change and technology regulation and committed Ford’s willingness to support the Government of Kenya meet the demands of these engagements,” the PS posted on his X account.