Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’oei has lauded President William Ruto’s meeting with the Ford Foundation.

Ruto, who is in the US, met with the foundation’s president, Darren Walker, on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, in New York, and the Head of State also stated why the meetup was important.

The PS said the meeting only underscores Kenya’s commitment to democracy at a time when good governance is facing challenges across the globe.

“President Ruto held consultations with the President of the Ford Foundation, Darren Walker, and his team. The meeting underscored Kenya’s commitment to democratic governance, rule of law, and respect for human rights.

“Noting democratic backsliding in many parts of the world, the meeting agreed on the imperative to safeguard democracy, particularly in Africa, from the vicissitudes of disinformation and manipulation of the digital space for non-democratic ends,” Sing’oei said on X on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

According to the PS, the foundation’s chief applauded Kenya’s president for his strong support for democracy.

“Ford Foundation’s President applauded President Ruto’s for being a strong voice at the international stage on matters touching on reforming global economic governance institutions, climate change, and technology regulation and committed Ford’s willingness to support the Government of Kenya in meeting the demands of these engagements,” his statement added.

On his part, Ruto, according to the PS, thanked the Ford Foundation for the role it has played in the country over decades now.

“President Ruto thanked the Foundation for investing in Kenya’s development over the last 60 years and agreed on the need to upgrade the institution’s host country agreement and provide a robust framework for realization of mutual objectives,” the statement concluded.

Change of heart?

At the height of the Gen Zs’ demonstration against his government, Ruto singled out the ornaginsation as one of the foreign agents that was funding the protests.

“I want to call out those who are behind the anarchy in Kenya, those who are behind sponsoring chaos in the Republic of Kenya.

“Shame on them, because they are sponsoring violence against our democratic nation. I want to ask the Ford Foundation, If that money they are giving out to fund violence, how is it going to benefit them?” Ruto complained then.

However, the meeting in New York could signal Ruto’s change of heart months after pointing an accusing finger against the American organisation.