Kenya threatens Ford Foundation with sanctions if it breaches country's law

Kenya on Thursday issued a stern warning to the US-based Ford Foundation regarding the use of donor funds and adherence to the country's laws.

The warning was delivered during a high-level meeting between officials from Kenya's Foreign Ministry and a delegation from the foundation, prompted by concerns raised in a letter by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'Oei to the foundation's president on July 18.

At the meeting, Sing'oei, accompanied by the director-general of the Financial Reporting Centre Saitoti Maika, acting executive director of the Public Benefits Organisation Regulatory Authority Lindon Otieno, and the deputy director-general of the Privileges and Immunities Directorate at the Foreign Office Makena Muchiri, emphasised that the government expects the Ford Foundation to rigorously monitor operations of all grant beneficiaries for compliance and ensure that any departure from the terms of the cooperation agreement or Kenyan law, particularly those that advance objectives incompatible with the national interest, are dealt with.

The meeting, which Sing'Oei described as "constructive and candid," focused on the responsible use of donor funds following concerns over the foundation's funding practices after deadly anti-government protests swept the country.

The delegation from the Ford Foundation was led by the vice president for International Programmes Martin Abregu, and vice president and general counsel Nishka Chandrasoma, who represented the organisation's president Darren Walker.

In mid-July, President William Ruto accused the Ford Foundation of “sponsoring anarchy" and funding anti-government protests.

Kenya had been plunged into political chaos over the demonstrations, which started as peaceful rallies led by Gen Z who were proposed against proposed tax hikes but spiralled into a wider campaign against Ruto and his administration.