The Ford Foundation expanded its footprint in Kenya months after President William Ruto accused it of backing Gen Z-led protests against the 2024 Finance Bill.
While Ruto threatened to expel the foundation, Ford has done the opposite—officially opening new offices in Nairobi.
This move reaffirms its commitment to East Africa and signals that it won’t be intimidated by political pressure.
The standoff may have ruffled feathers, but the Ford Foundation is doubling down on its mission—louder, stronger, and unshaken.
Ford Foundation Bets Big on East Africa
On April 7, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei announced the opening of the Ford Foundation’s new East African offices in Nairobi. He shared the news on social media, calling the foundation a “reliable development partner.”
“On behalf of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, I inaugurated Ford Foundation’s new offices for East Africa today,” Sing’Oei wrote. “I commended the Foundation for being a reliable development partner to regional governments, civil society, and media.”
The Ford Foundation, headquartered in New York, was founded in 1936. It’s one of the largest non-profit organizations in the world. Its work spans across poverty reduction, human rights, democratic values, education, and sustainable development.
Despite its global goodwill, the Ford Foundation recently clashed with the Kenyan government—a move that could have jeopardized its operations in the country. Instead, it chose to go bigger.
From Accusations to Expansion
Tensions between the Ford Foundation and President Ruto flared in June 2024. During nationwide protests against the proposed Finance Bill, Ruto accused the foundation of sponsoring the demonstrations led by Kenyan youth, dubbed the Gen Z protests.
In a fiery speech, Ruto warned international organizations to stay out of Kenya’s “domestic affairs.” He singled out the Ford Foundation.
“Those who are sponsoring the violence, we know them,” Ruto said in July. “Shame on them! I want to ask the people from Ford Foundation to explain to us what they seek to gain by destabilizing Kenya’s democracy.”
But the foundation hit back—firmly and calmly. It denied any involvement in the protests, stating it respects Kenyans’ constitutional right to peaceful demonstration.
“We do not fund or sponsor the recent protests against the finance bill and have a strictly non-partisan policy in all our grantmaking,” read a statement from Ford. “We repudiate any actions or speech that are hateful or advocate violence against any institution, individual, or community.”
The foundation also reiterated its mission: to support civic engagement, inclusive development, and justice—not political disruption.
A Strategic Reaffirmation
Despite the threats, the Ford Foundation’s move to open new offices sends a bold message. It isn’t just staying—it’s investing. This expansion signals its intent to keep supporting Kenya and the wider East African region.
Observers see this as a show of resilience and a deeper commitment to the people of Kenya. The foundation continues to work with civil society, media, and government institutions, even after facing political backlash.
While some regimes may view outside influence with suspicion, many Kenyans welcome the presence of organizations like the Ford Foundation.
Its funding has supported grassroots movements, education initiatives, gender equality projects, and governance reforms across the continent.
Ford’s decision to expand in Kenya, rather than retreat, underscores one thing: the foundation isn’t here to play politics. It’s here to build. And no amount of political friction will derail its focus.
