Ruto questions Ford Foundation alleged role in recent protests
President William Ruto has accused the Ford Foundation of sponsoring the recent anti-government protests in Kenya.
Speaking on Monday, the President took to task the American foundation for its alleged role in destabilizing the country, following countrywide protests against the Finance Bill 2024 which has since been dropped.
President William Ruto who put on notice organisations that are sponsoring violence in the country has vowed to call out all those who are bent on rolling back Kenya’s hard-won democracy, while at the same urging the young people to shun those using them for their selfish interests.
He said Kenya is a democratic country that is governed by rule of law, and asked the Ford Foundation what it was out to gain by sponsoring violence, mayhem and chaos.
He asked the Ford Foundation to explain to Kenyans its role in the recent protests that rocked some parts of the country.
Speaking in Nakuru County during an inspection tour of development projects on Monday, President Ruto warned that those sponsoring violence and anarchy in Kenya will not be tolerated.
The President made it clear that Kenyan youth was not available for retrogressive assignments, saying investigations have been launched into the activities of some organisations working in the country.
“The Ford Foundation must explain its role in the recent protests,” he said.
Saying the government was aware of those behind anarchy in Kenya, President Ruto said they should be ashamed for sponsoring the youth to cause chaos and violence to achieve their selfish ends.
“We will call out those bent on rolling back our hard-won democracy. We want to tell them that our young people are not ready for anarchy and chaos. Kenyans want peace,” the President said.
He warned: “We will deal firmly with foundations and organisations fuelling anarchy.”
He said Kenyans elect their leaders every five years democratically and no one should dictate to them on the nature of their leaders because the country is guided by the rule of law,” the President pointed out.
He said organisations whose only interest is to sabotage our democracy should style up or leave the country.
President Ruto cautioned the youth not to be incited to acts of violence individuals who do not wish Kenya well.
“Don’t be misused to engage in chaos. Those who bring money to incite the youth to engage in violence will not go unpunished,” he said.
He added: “As your President, I will make sure that those who want to cause chaos will face the full force of the law.”
President Ruto, at the same time, assured Kenyans that he was ready to consult leaders from diverse political backgrounds ready to work with him in sorting out problems facing the country.
He said the challenges facing the country, including the debt burden incurred during the previous administration and fighting corruption, required collective responsibility from all leaders.
“I am ready, willing and available to consult with leaders who are ready to work with us in exploring ways of addressing the challenges facing our country,” said President Ruto.
On development, President Ruto told the residents of Nakuru that KSh2 billion has been set aside for the last mile electricity connectivity programme in which 30,000 households will benefit.
The President said the government has lifted the caveat placed on settlement schemes in Nakuru County of up to 20,000 acres.
He regretted that a case before the Africa court in Arusha has become a stumbling block to resolving the matter.
He said he had asked for the withdrawal of the case to pave the way for the resolution of issue.
Meanwhile, President Ruto assured coffee, tea, pyrethrum, maize, potato and dairy farmers that the government has transformed the sectors.
He said the construction of 20 modern fresh produce markets in Nakuru County will provide safe and decent trading areas for Mama Mboga pledged in the Kenya Kwanza Plan.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said President Ruto was committed to uniting the country.
He said the move by the President to dismiss the Cabinet to pave way for a broad based-government was part of his efforts to unite the country.
Mr Gachagua thanked the people of Nakuru, a cosmopolitan county, for embracing peace.
“I thank the people of Nakuru for voting for Kenya Kwanza in the last General Election despite some selfish leaders spearheading the politics of tribalism,” the DP said.
During his tour of the county, President Ruto inspected the Nakuru Multi-Purpose Market that will serve more than 2,000 traders in the county. The project will employ over 500 people.
Earlier in Nakuru East Constituency, he launched the construction of the Nakuru Bus Park that will accommodate 5,000 matatus.
President Ruto also laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Keringet fresh produce market in Kuresoi South Constituency and also opened the Njoro Technical Training Institute in Njoro Constituency.
Governor Susan Kihika, MPs and MCAs were present at the functions.
Additional reporting by PCS
