Govt Issues Demands To Ford Foundation As It Lists NGOs Linked To Demos

The government of Kenya has formally reached out to Ford Foundation over its involvement with ongoing anti-government protests.

This comes after President William Ruto publicly declared that the American NGO was funding the protests.

In a letter dated July 18, by Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’oei, the government listed 16 organizations believed to have been paid by Ford Foundation to  organize the protests and the amount of money they each received.

The list includes;

1. Africa Uncensored Limited (Project Mulika): US$ 250,000
2. Women’s Link Worldwide: US$ 750,000
3. Centre for Resource Mobilization and Development: US$ 20,000
4. Transform Empowerment for Action Initiative: US$ 220,000
5. Kenya Human Rights Commission: US$ 600,000
6. Open Institute Trust: US$ 100,000
7. Africa Centre for Open Governance: US$ 200,000
8. Transparency International: US$ 300,000
9. The Institute for Social Accountability (TISA): US$ 200,000
10. National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders (K): US$ 257,000
11. Shinning Hope for Communities Inc.: US$ 2,050,000
12. Coalition for Grassroots Human Rights Defenders Kenya: US$ 250,000
13. Community Aid International: US$ 100,000
14. Mzalendo Trust: US$ 335,000
15. Usikimye (Femicide): US$ 30,000
16. Citizens Advancement Initiative: US$ 150,000

“You will concede that the above funds disbursed to non-state recipients are substantial and must be prudently used  to serve legitimate purposes or risk abuse to aid nefarious ends,” the PS said.

To clear the air, on number of issues touching the grantees, the government issues  demands to Ford Foundation.

Firstly, the government is requesting Ford Foundation to provide full details of its grantees for the last one year, programmes approved especially in the last three months, budgets for each projects, amounts disbursed so far and what is pipelined for disbursement.

The government also wants Ford Foundation to provide reports from grantees detailing activities carried out, their costs and beneficiaries.

“Share a report on Ford Foundation’s compliance with its non-lobbying policy or statement that this policy is inapplicable to its activities on the country.

” Prescribe any sanctions you will impose for breaches of the law or your internal policies,” Sing’oei requested.