The Kenyan government has flagged 16 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for their alleged involvement in a series of anti-government protests that have disrupted the country in the past month.

In a formal communication addressed to Darren Walker, the President of the Ford Foundation, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei expressed serious concerns regarding the financial activities of these organizations.

He highlighted that these NGOs, funded by the Ford Foundation, have reportedly received a staggering $5.78 million between April 2023 and May 2024, with a notable $1.49 million disbursed in just the last month.

“It is noteworthy that several of your Grantees below mentioned received a total of US$ 5.78 Million (approximately Kenya Shillings 752 Million) between April 2023 and May 2024 with unexplained expedited funding amounting to US$ 1.49 M (approximately Kenya shillings 194 million) over the last month alone” read the statement partly.

Sing’oei emphasized the troubling nature of these financial transactions, stating that the funds appear to have been used in ways that lack transparency.

He remarked, “Funds disbursed to non-state recipients are substantial and must be prudently used to serve legitimate purposes or risk abuse to aid nefarious ends.”

The protests initially began as a response to the government’s proposed revenue-raising measures outlined in the Finance Bill, which is essential for implementing the national budget. However, as the demonstrations progressed, their focus shifted, evolving into broader calls for the overthrow of the democratically elected government.

Sing’oei noted that despite the government’s willingness to address some of the protesters’ concerns, the situation escalated into what he described as attempts to undermine the country’s constitutional order.

“These protests began as efforts aimed at resisting the government’s revenue-raising proposals contained in the Finance Bill, an annual legislation mandated to implement the national budget,” Sing’oei said.

“Despite various concessions by the Government, the demands of the protestors have morphed and escalated into attempts at toppling the country’s democratically elected and constitutionally sanctioned government under the guise of the right to demonstrate and assemble

In light of these developments, the Kenyan government is demanding that the Ford Foundation provide detailed information regarding its grantees. Specifically, they are requesting a comprehensive account of the organizations funded over the past year, including the programs approved in recent months, their budgets, and the amounts allocated for each project.

“Provide full details of your Grantees over the last year, the programmes approved (particularly over the last three months), budgets for each project, the amounts so far disbursed and what is pipelined for disbursement” the letter noted.

Additionally, they seek reports from these NGOs detailing their activities, associated costs, and the beneficiaries of their programs.

Furthermore, the Kenyan authorities are urging the Ford Foundation to clarify its adherence to its Non-Lobbying Policy, or to confirm if this policy is not applicable to its operations in Kenya.

The government also expects the foundation to outline any potential sanctions for violations of either Kenyan law or its internal policies.