DOUBLE-SPEAK: Ruto Meets Ford Foundation With Praise Of Their Work In Kenya
President William Ruto has shifted his stance on the Ford Foundation, just two months after publicly accusing the US-based organization of sponsoring violent protests across Kenya.
This notable shift in opinion occurred following Ruto’s meeting with Ford Foundation President Darren Walker during his second trip to the United States this year.
The President, who previously chastised the foundation, now applauds it for its support in critical areas such as democracy, global economic reforms, and climate action.
Following the meeting, the head of state struck a different tone, emphasizing his renewed appreciation for the Ford Foundation’s role.
Kenya appreciates the Ford Foundation’s commitment to safeguarding our democracy and supporting Kenya's calls for reforms in the global economic institutions, climate action and modern technology regulation.
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) September 24, 2024
Held talks with the President of the Ford Foundation Darren Walker in… pic.twitter.com/Qs0Q18HJN6
“Kenya appreciates the Ford Foundation’s commitment to safeguarding our democracy and supporting Kenya’s calls for reforms in the global economic institutions, climate action, and modern technology regulation,” remarked Ruto.
This was a stark contrast to his previous harsh words toward the group.
This U-turn comes just two months after Ruto publicly blamed the Ford Foundation for sparking protests in Nairobi and other major cities.
The protests, which began on June 18, saw thousands of Kenyans take to the streets in response to rising living costs and controversial government policies.
Demonstrators clashed with police, resulting in multiple casualties and arrests, exacerbating political tensions across the country.
Ruto previously referred to the protesters as “anonymous, faceless, formless, and foreign-sponsored,” directly implicating the Ford Foundation in his claims.
In a fiery speech on July 22, the President threatened to take action against so-called external forces, stating that he would “deal” with those undermining Kenya’s stability.
“I want to call out those who are behind the anarchy in Kenya, those who are behind sponsoring chaos in the Republic of Kenya,” he declared, pointing fingers at the Ford Foundation.
“Shame on them, because they are sponsoring violence against our democratic nation.”
However, only two days later, Ruto made an unexpected move by ordering the release of all protesters detained since the demonstrations began.
The abrupt shift raised eyebrows, with political analysts wondering if diplomatic pressures influenced his decision.
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The President had previously vowed to take a hard line against protestors, only to soften his stance within days, leaving many wondering what prompted the abrupt shift.
Ruto’s previous accusations against the Ford Foundation were met with concern, as he claimed that the organization played a role in financing the unrest that swept Kenya.
His blunt question – “Is that money they are giving out to fund violence, how is it going to benefit them?” – pointed out the depth of his suspicion towards the foundation.
However, no concrete evidence was presented to back up these claims, and the foundation did not respond directly to the allegations.
DOUBLE-SPEAK: Ruto Meets Ford Foundation With Praise Of Their Work In Kenya
