July 19, 2024 – Nairobi, Kenya
The Kenyan government has identified 16 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) allegedly connected to last month’s widespread protests. These protests significantly disrupted various regions, leading to heightened tensions and civil unrest.
In a recent letter addressed to Ford Foundation President Darren Walker, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei expressed concerns over the involvement of some Ford Foundation-funded organizations in these anti-government demonstrations. Sing’oei highlighted the rapid and substantial funding these NGOs received, raising questions about their financial activities.
According to the letter, several organizations received a total of US$ 5.78 million (approximately KSh 752 million) between April 2023 and May 2024. Notably, US$ 1.49 million (approximately KSh 194 million) was disbursed in the last month alone, in what Sing’oei described as “unexplained expedited funding.”
The NGOs named in the letter include:
- Africa Uncensored Limited (Project Mulika): US$ 250,000
- Women’s Link Worldwide: US$ 750,000
- Centre for Resource Mobilization and Development: US$ 20,000
- Transform Empowerment for Action Initiative: US$ 220,000
- Kenya Human Rights Commission: US$ 600,000
- Open Institute Trust: US$ 100,000
- Africa Centre for Open Governance: US$ 200,000
- Transparency International: US$ 300,000
- The Institute for Social Accountability (TISA): US$ 200,000
- National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders (K): US$ 257,000
- Shining Hope for Communities Inc.: US$ 2,050,000
- Coalition for Grassroots Human Rights Defenders Kenya: US$ 250,000
- Community Aid International: US$ 100,000
- Mzalendo Trust: US$ 335,000
- Usikimye (Femicide): US$ 30,000
- Citizens Advancement Initiative: US$ 150,000
Sing’oei’s letter underscores the government’s concern over the substantial sums spent by these NGOs in a short period, suggesting a potential link to the orchestration and support of the recent protests. The letter calls for an investigation into the funding sources and expenditures of these organizations to ensure transparency and accountability.
The Ford Foundation and the named NGOs have yet to respond publicly to these allegations. The situation remains tense as the government continues to scrutinize the activities of civil society organizations amid the country’s ongoing political and social challenges.
