The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.

Standard Group Plc HQ Office,
The Standard Group Center,Mombasa Road.
P.O Box 30080-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.
Telephone number: 0203222111, 0719012111
Email: [email protected]

NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Ruto claims Ford Foundation behind Gen Z demos

National

By Sharon Wanga | Jul 15, 2024

**President William Ruto**.[File, Standard]

President William Ruto now claims that Ford Foundation, a foreign entity, is funding the ongoing demonstrations in the country.

Speaking on Monday, July 15 while touring Nakuru county, the president condemned the violence experienced in the country over the past few weeks.

He reiterated that foreign entities are sponsoring the protests led by the Gen-Z against his administration.

“These people bringing money to sponsor youth protests in Kenya we will stop them. I would want to ask Ford Foundation to tell us, that money they give to fund violence how does it benefit them,” the president posed.

The President gave a stern warning promising to take action against the alleged financiers of youth protests.

Keep Reading business

“We have no use of anarchy, violence and destruction of property and loss of lives. Those sponsoring that violence, we know you and I want to call out those who are behind anarchy in Kenya…Shame on them, We are going to call them out if they are not interested in the democracy in Kenya we are going to call and tell them to either style up or leave,” he added.

His remarks come amidst ongoing plans by the youth to continue with the demonstrations this week.

The youth had called for the continuation of the demonstrations from Tuesday this week.

However, the Ford Foundation has denied offering financial assistance to the said planners of the protest citing its non-partisan policy prohibiting the organisation from picking political sides.

"We do not fund or sponsor the recent protests against the Finance Bill and have a strictly non-partisan policy for all our grantmaking," said the non-governmental organisation in its defense.

President Ruto also condemned the killings in Kware, pledging to ensure that those behind the deaths are brought to book.

"Our female children have lost lives in Kware because of criminals. Those behind the criminal activity against our children, against our daughters in Kware; the Government of Kenya will make sure that they are brought to book," said Ruto.