During the Gen Z protests in June, President Ruto had accused the organisation of sponsoring the unrest.
Both leaders acknowledged the growing global trend of democratic backsliding, highlighting the need to protect democracy in Africa from threats such as disinformation and the misuse of digital platforms.
In mid-July, President William Ruto accused the Ford Foundation of “sponsoring anarchy" and funding anti-government protests.
According to the Public Benefits Authority 13 of the organisations listed in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs letter to the Ford Foundation as having received a total of Sh752 million between April 2023 and May 2024 and expedited funding amounting to Sh194 million over the last month alone.
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 critics backing the government have linked Mutunga to the Ford Foundation the government has accused of funding the revolt.
The Foundation's president, Darren Walker, emphasised the complete online records that indicate how monies are used in Kenya.
The government notes that several Ford Foundation grantees received substantial funding between April 2023 and May 2024, totalling $5.78 million (approximately Sh752 million).
Eldas MP Adan Keynan endorsed the national dialogue initiative aimed at forming a broad-based and all-inclusive government.
In February this year, Head of the Judiciary Martha Koome hosted the Ford Foundation Global Board led by President Darren Walker, alongside Judges of the Supreme Court of Kenya.
Sheikh Muhammad Khalifa, the CIPK organising secretary, addressed the recent unrest in the country triggered by youth-led protests against the Finance Bill 2024.
Today, for the first time, he explicitly criticised the Ford Foundation and accused local protest organisers of being direct beneficiaries.
