Rachel Ruto's Joyful Women Organisation among Ford Foundation beneficiaries

The office of First Lady Rachel Ruto was one of the beneficiaries of the Ford Foundation, details revealed on its website show.

President William Ruto's administration had called for the Ford Foundation to account for Sh752 million wired to at least 16 organizations over the past year, amid accusations of funding anti-government protests.

Speaking in Nakuru County on July 15, President Ruto directly accused the Ford Foundation of financing the protests, which have led to significant government concessions, including the dissolution of his Cabinet and the withdrawal of the controversial Finance Bill, 2024.

“We ask the Ford Foundation to explain to Kenyans its role in the recent protests. We will call out all those who are bent on rolling back our hard-won democracy,” Ruto said. He also reiterated the accusations on his official X account.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei highlighted several civil societies that have received funding from the American charity between April 2023 and May 2024 but left out one organisation under the office of the First Lady.

The Ford Foundation's website shows that Joyful Women Organisation (JOYWO), an initiative founded by Rachel Ruto, is among the local organisations that have received significant grants in the past.

Established in 2009, the organisation promotes women's economic empowerment and financial inclusion through table banking.

“The organisation was formed out of a passion by the Patron and Founder, H.E Rachel Ruto, to see women meet their basic needs and fulfil their potential,” the website states.

In May 2020, Joyful Women Organisation received $105,000 (Sh13.7 million) for “automation of operations for institutional strengthening.” Another $100,119 (Sh13.1 million) was also provided in November 2014.

Active members

Currently, JOYWO boasts over 240,000 active members, more than 16,000 active groups, and a revolving fund exceeding $21 million (Sh2.74 billion).

Among the organizations listed by PS Sing’oei as allegedly receiving funds to “destabilise the country” are Africa Uncensored Limited (Project Mulika) with $250,000, Women's Link Worldwide ($750,000), Centre for Resource Mobilisation and Development ($20,000), Transform Empowerment for Action Initiative ($220,000), Kenya Human Rights Commission ($600,000), Open Institute Trust ($100,000), Africa Centre for Open Governance ($200,000), and Transparency International ($300,000).

Other recipients mentioned were The Institute for Social Accountability (TISA) ($200,000), National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders (K) ($257,000), Shining Hope for Communities Inc. ($2,050,000), Coalition for Grassroots Human Rights Defenders Kenya ($250,000), Community Aid International ($100,000), Mzalendo Trust ($335,000), Usikimye (Femicide) ($30,000), and Citizens Advancement Initiative ($150,000).

“Most of the grantees have been at the centre of the anti-Finance Bill protests and the subsequent anarchic mobilisations that have sought to upend the peace and security of the state,” Sing’oei said in a letter dated July 18.

Darren Walker, President ofFord Foundation. (Photo: Handout)

However, the Foundation released a statement denying any involvement in funding protests. Ford Foundation's director of strategic communications Tolu Onafowokan said they are committed to building on the legacy of the Foundation's more than 60 years in the region so that Kenyans can unlock opportunities that extend to all.

“While we acknowledge the right of Kenyans to peacefully advocate for a just and equitable country, we repudiate any actions or speech that are hateful or advocate violence against any institution, individual, or community. We do not fund or sponsor the recent protests against the Finance Bill and have a strictly non-partisan policy for all of our grant-making,” Onafowokan said.

According to its website, the Ford Foundation has been active in East Africa since 1963, supporting leaders at the forefront of social change in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

“We continued to support East Africa's transition to democracy through the 1980s and 1990s, assisting in efforts to create a more just environment through reforms of laws, state institutions, and economic policies. Today, our support focuses on sustaining vibrant civic space in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, and weaving the resilience of civil society, including protecting social justice activists,” the website states.

Government projects

The foundation has invested millions in Kenya, funding government projects such as the Judiciary's Social Transformation through Access to Justice. It also introduced Kenya to the Open Government Partnership, aiming to improve governance and combat corruption.

Government entities, such as the Council of Governors and the Young Parliamentarians Association have also been listed as some of the beneficiaries.

Others include Mzalendo Trust, Kenya Human Rights Commission, Coalition for Grassroots Human Rights Commission, Law Society of Kenya, Inuka Kenya ni Sisi Limited, and Transparency International Kenya, among many others.

In June this year, Mzalendo Trust received a grant of $335,000 (Sh43.72 million) for promoting open, inclusive, and accountable parliaments in Kenya and Africa.

Coalition for Grassroots Human Rights Defenders received $250,000 (Sh32.6 million), for community protection of activists and civic space interventions. Additionally, $200,000 (Sh26 million was disbursed in July 2023 with an additional $50,000 (Sh6.5 million).

In May, the Institute for Social Accountability (TISA) received $200,000,000 (Sh26 million) for campaigns on political accountability in public debt management as an avenue to combat systematic corruption and advance freedoms in Kenya and the region.

Transparency International Kenya also received $300,000 (Sh39.15 million) in May for research and advocacy to enhance governance integrity.

The Kenya Human Rights Commission in July 2023 received $500,000 (Sh65.26 million) and an additional $100,000 (Sh13 million) in May this year.

In September 2021, Inuka Kenya ni Sisi Limited received $2,300,000 (Sh300 million) for institutional strengthening to build a resource hub for technology, coalition building, mental, health, wellness and holistic security.

The Council of Governors received $350,000 (Sh45.7 million) in August 2018 to enhance public participation in budgeting and oversight.

The Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association received $250,000 (Sh32 million) in September 2019 and $150,000 (Sh19.4 million) in September 2018, to improve young legislators' leadership capacity and to improve their effective championing of ethical, transparent and accountable leadership.