- On Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei wrote to the organisation listing 16 NGOs are said to be behind the protests.
- He wanted the organization to provide full details of their Grantees over the last year, the programmes approved.
Image: COURTESY
A day after the government lodged a formal complaint to Ford Foundation over its alleged involvement in the recent protests, the organisation has responded.
In a subtle statement appearing to deny any involvement, the organisation emphasised transparency in all its activities.
The information, it stated, is public and "readily accessible" on its website.
"As a charitable foundation with a global presence, our grant making is transparent and readily available on our website," it said.
This, it has added, includes the database of where its funds are channelled to as well as the "highlights from our rich history in East Africa and around the world".
The Foundation also reiterated that while it supports the right of Kenyans to peacefully advocate for a just and equitable country, denounced any acts that advocate violence.
"...We repudiate any actions or speech that are hateful or advocate violence against any institution, individual, or community," the statement reads.
It has also stated that it will remain committed to building on its 60-year-old legacy in the region so that Kenyans can unlock opportunities that benefit them.
On Friday, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei wrote to the organisation listing 16 NGOs are said to be behind the protests as it made some demands.
"It is noteworthy that several of your Grantees below mentioned received a total of US$ 5.78 Million (approximately Kenya Shillings 752 Million) between April 2023 and May 2024 - with unexplained expedited funding amounting to US$ 1.49 M (approximately Kenya shillings 194 million) - over the last month alone," Sing'oei said in a letter dated July 18, 2024.
Sing'oei said the funds disbursed to non-state recipients are substantial and must be prudently used to “serve legitimate purposes or risk abuse to aid nefarious ends”.
Kenya wanted the Foundation to clear the air on four key issues regarding their grantees.
They include providing full details of their Grantees over the last year, the programmes approved (particularly over the last three months), budgets for each project, the amounts so far disbursed and what is pipelined for disbursement.
"Furnish us with Reports from your Grantees detailing the activities carried out, the cost of these activities and their beneficiaries," Sing'Oe stated about its second demand.
The PS also wants the Ford Foundation to share a report on the Ford Foundation’s compliance with its Non-Lobbying Policy or a statement that this policy is inapplicable to its activities in the country.
Kenya at the same time wants the Ford Foundation to prescribe any sanctions it will impose for breaches of the law or their internal policies.
Kenya regretted that the recent protests had led to the loss of lives as well as destruction of the property despite the government conceding to demands that informed the protests at its early stages.
"These protests began as efforts aimed at resisting the government’s revenue-raising proposals contained in the Finance Bill, an annual legislation mandated to implement the national budget," Sing'oei said.