Ford Foundation President Darren Walker has announced decision to step down from his role as president, days after the state accused the foundation of sponsoring anti-government protests in Kenya.
Speaking to New York Times, the President who has been serving as head of Ford Foundation for the past twelve years will be leaving the role at the end of 2025amid speculations in Kenya.
The 64 year old said that his decision was influenced by his desire to venture in other fields and leave the Ford Foundation guard to new blood and ideas, a decision he started to discuss with the board two years ago.
“Philanthropy as a field needs new leaders and a constant refreshing because as a sector we can be self-satisfied and lose the edge to our work. Some people stay in foundation jobs too long because it’s intoxicating every day to be in a position where people are deferential.”
His decision come at a time when speculations surround the Ford Foundation after the President and the government of Kenya accused the foundation of sponsoring anti-government protests that have caused mayhem in the country.
Although the Ford Foundation have denied the allegations, the state has insisted that the foundation has used huge amounts of funds to Non-governmental entities to sponsor anarchy within the country.
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It’s however unclear whether the accusation by the government is what fueled his announcement to step down, but Ford has insisted that all the information about its operations in Kenya was transparently available on its website.