Recent accusations by Kenyan President William Ruto have thrust the Ford Foundation into the spotlight, raising questions about the role of international organizations in supporting democracy and technological advancement in Kenya.
President Ruto recently alleged that the Ford Foundation, a prominent American non-governmental organization, has been funding protests and causing chaos in Kenya. Speaking at a rally in Nakuru County, Ruto demanded clarification from the Foundation regarding their activities during recent demonstrations, stating, “I want to ask the people from the Ford Foundation to tell us why they give money to cause chaos in our country.”
The Ford Foundation, however, strongly refuted these claims. In a statement, the organization emphasized its long history of supporting democratic institutions in East Africa and its commitment to non-partisan activities. The Foundation clarified, “We do not fund or sponsor the recent protests against the finance bill and have a strictly non-partisan policy for all of our grantmaking.”
While the controversy surrounding protest funding persists, many have been wondering what the Ford Foundation is and how it’s linked to the political scene in Kenya.
The Ford Foundation was established in 1936 in Michigan, USA. Founded by Edsel Ford, the president of Ford Motor Company then, its aim was to receive and administer funds for scientific, educational, and charitable purposes, all for the public welfare.
Today, it supports various initiatives globally, including efforts to advance democracy, civil society, and social justice. Headquartered in New York City, the foundation opened its Nairobi office in 1963. Since then, it has been involved in various initiatives, including supporting the University of Nairobi’s establishment in 1963.
In addition to that, the Ford Foundation has played a major role in supporting technological advancements and digital resilience in Kenya and the broader East African region.
One such initiative is the recently launched Tatua Digital Resilience Center, which is part of its Weaving Resilience initiative. This center aims to assist Social Justice Organizations (SJOs) in East Africa in maintaining and growing their digital strategies in a changing environment.
The project, initially focusing on Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, seeks to address challenges faced by SJOs, including shrinking civic space and limited digital capacity. By doing so, the center can help close the digital access gap and ensure that marginalized communities can benefit from digital transformation while being protected from potential harm.
The Ford Foundation’s involvement in Kenya’s tech scene extends beyond this initiative. The organization has a history of supporting various local entities, including the Nairobi Arts Trust, the Law Society of Kenya, and Amnesty International, among others. In recent years, the Foundation has also provided grants to support creativity and civic space.
