On July 15, 2024, President William Ruto accused the Ford Foundation of funding unrest in Kenya. Speaking during a public event, he said, “I want to ask Ford Foundation: What benefit do they get from funding chaos? If they are going to sponsor violence and anarchy, we will call them out. They either style up or leave.”
The remarks came amid a wave of Gen Z-led protests across the country. These demonstrations, sparked by frustration over governance, corruption, and economic hardships, had rattled the government. Initially, Ruto’s administration blamed the opposition for inciting youth. Later, the blame shifted to parents, and eventually to foreign funders like the Ford Foundation.
His comments triggered diplomatic tension, especially with the United States. The Ford Foundation, known globally for supporting civil society, democracy, and human rights, denied any wrongdoing. Many saw Ruto’s statement as an attempt to deflect responsibility rather than address the real issues raised by protesters.
Just two months later, while on an official tour of the U.S. in September 2024, President Ruto changed his tone. Under international pressure, he praised the same organization he had previously attacked. “We appreciate the Ford Foundation for their long-standing support of democracy, governance, and civil society in Kenya,” he said.
This shift highlighted a broader pattern. Instead of addressing the concerns raised by Gen Z, the government kept changing its narrative. First, it was the opposition. Then, it was the youth. Then, their parents. And finally, international organizations.
Critics argue that such blame-shifting only deepens mistrust. “The government seems more focused on dodging accountability than listening to the people,” one civil society leader noted. Many young Kenyans feel dismissed and unheard.
Ruto’s diplomatic U-turn may have eased pressure abroad, but at home, questions remain. Why attack an organization one day and praise it the next? For many, it’s not just about protests — it’s about the integrity of leadership and the future of democracy in Kenya.