President William Ruto has approved the establishment of Ford Foundation offices in Kenya, a notable move coming months after his administration openly clashed with the organisation during the Gen Z–led protests that rocked the country.
The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday, February 10, where the government approved a series of international agreements allowing major global organisations—including the Ford Foundation, the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), and Novo Nordisk Foundation Kenya A/S—to set up offices in Nairobi.
The Ford Foundation had previously come under sharp criticism from government officials at the height of the Gen Z protests, with accusations that some foreign organisations were funding civic activism aimed at destabilising the state. The approval, however, signals a pragmatic shift by President Ruto’s administration, prioritising Kenya’s long-term diplomatic and development interests over past political tensions.
In the same meeting, the Cabinet approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Africa Centres for Disease Control (Africa CDC), clearing the way for the establishment of the Eastern Africa Regional Coordination Centre in Nairobi. The centre is expected to coordinate regional health and development initiatives across East Africa.
The approvals underline growing international confidence in Kenya as a strategic base for diplomacy, public health, science, and development cooperation. Government officials say hosting these organisations will enhance Kenya’s capacity for scientific research, vaccine development, and cross-border health collaboration.
Kenya already enjoys a long-standing reputation as Africa’s diplomatic capital, hosting the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and more than 150 international and intergovernmental organisations, alongside thousands of NGOs. The latest approvals further entrench Nairobi’s status as a regional multilateral hub.
During the same Cabinet meeting, the government also authorised Kenya to host the International Nuclear Conference 2026 in Mombasa from March 24 to 26, 2026, and resolved to submit a formal bid to host the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group Regional Training Academy. The academy aims to strengthen regional capacity to combat money laundering, terrorism financing, and proliferation financing.
Additionally, the Cabinet maintained its approval for the ratification of the convention establishing an international organisation for mediation, a move that would position Kenya among the founding members of the global mediation agency.
These decisions align with Kenya’s broader strategy to become a premier destination for global conventions and high-level conferences. As part of this push, the government is transforming the Bomas of Kenya through the construction of the Bomas International Convention Centre (BICC), expected to be completed by April 2026.