US envoy criticizes Kenyan president for linking New York-based philanthropy to protests

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - The US ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, has criticized President William Ruto for his remarks linking a US-based global philanthropy to recent protests in the country.

In an interview on Kenya's Citizen TV, Whitman expressed disapproval of the government's actions, describing them as "inappropriate."

“Of course, they fund civil society, and so does USAID, the Wellcome Trust, and the Rockefeller Foundation. So I thought it was very inappropriate for the government to go after the Ford Foundation,” Whitman said.

“That was absolutely wrong. The Ford Foundation has worked in this country for almost 60 years, supporting many civil society organizations,” she added.

President Ruto had previously suggested that the Ford Foundation was involved in funding some of the protests that have rocked Kenya in recent months. His comments raised concerns among various stakeholders, including the diplomatic community.

The protests, sparked by tax increases in the Finance Bill 2024, swept across Kenya in June and July, leading to the deaths of at least 50 people, according to authorities. The Ruto administration has faced intense scrutiny over its handling of these protests, which also caused widespread property damage.

Ruto alleged that foreign organizations, including the Ford Foundation, were funding the unrest. In a Swahili statement, he said: "I want to ask the people at the Ford Foundation: What benefit do they gain from funding chaos?"

“We are going to call them out, and we are going to tell them if they are not interested in democracy in Kenya, if they are going to sponsor violence and anarchy, they either style up or leave,” Ruto added.

Whitman’s remarks come at a time of heightened tension in Kenya, as the government grapples with growing public unrest and criticism over its response to the protests. Her comments represent one of the most direct criticisms from a foreign diplomat regarding the Kenyan government's recent actions.