President William Ruto has made serious accusations against the Ford Foundation, an American private organization, alleging that it has been funding violent protests in Kenya.
Speaking in Nakuru on Monday, Ruto claimed that the Foundation hired individuals to create chaos during recent anti-government protests, which led to the destruction of property and the looting of businesses.
"I want to ask the people at Ford Foundation to tell us what benefit they get from funding chaos."
He emphasized that his government would not tolerate any organization financing young people to cause disturbances during what are meant to be peaceful demonstrations.
"We have no use for anarchy and destruction of property. Those sponsoring that violence, we know you and I want to call out those who are behind the anarchy in Kenya, those behind sponsoring the chaos in Kenya, shame on them," Ruto stated.
After his speech, President Ruto took to his social media account to reiterate his claims. He challenged the Ford Foundation to explain its involvement in the recent protests.
"Our youth are not available for retrogressive assignments. Those sponsoring them to cause violence and mayhem must be ashamed of themselves. We ask the Ford Foundation to explain to Kenyans its role in the recent protests," he wrote.
Ruto also warned that his administration would expose those trying to undermine Kenya's democracy.
The Ford Foundation, founded in 1963 by Edsel Ford, the then president of the Ford Motor Company, aims to administer charitable funds for scientific and educational purposes.
Over the years, it has grown into a powerful humanitarian institution operating in 11 regions across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and North America.
In East Africa, the Foundation has partnered with countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, advocating for civic justice and protecting social justice activists.
Since 2009, it has disbursed over Ksh.138 billion (approximately $10.7 million) in the region.
President Ruto has consistently blamed the violence seen during the three-week-long protests on external sponsors.
He believes these sponsors have been hiring individuals to disrupt peaceful demonstrations and tarnish their image.
According to him, the destruction of critical state infrastructures, including Parliament, was carried out by these hired individuals, whom he labeled as "criminals."
Ruto's accusations come at a time when Kenya is experiencing significant political tension. The anti-government protests, sparked by economic hardships and political grievances, have seen thousands of Kenyans taking to the streets.
While many protesters have acted peacefully, the demonstrations have also witnessed episodes of violence and vandalism, causing concern among citizens and the international community.
The President's allegations against the Ford Foundation have added a new dimension to the ongoing political drama. It remains to be seen how the Foundation will respond to these serious claims.
Historically, the Ford Foundation has been known for its efforts to promote democracy, social justice, and economic development. Accusations of sponsoring violence starkly contrast with its mission and values.
In response to the unrest, the Kenyan government has taken steps to restore order. Security forces have been deployed to manage the protests and prevent further violence.
However, this has led to clashes between police and protesters, raising concerns about human rights violations. The international community has been closely monitoring the situation in Kenya.
Various human rights organizations have called for dialogue between the government and opposition leaders to address the root causes of the protests. They emphasize the importance of peaceful resolution and the protection of citizens' rights to demonstrate.
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