Tough and independent journalist John-Allan Namu and the founder of Africa Uncensored has finally broken his silence about the funding he received from Ford Foundation in 2023.
This comes after President William Ruto accused Ford Foundation of funding specific individuals to sponsor chaos and anarchy in the country as seen in the Gen Z movement that has advocated for change through the protests.
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According to financial reports, John-Allan Namu was one beneficiary of Ford Foundation Funds and he is said to have received $250,000 which translates to Ksh 33 Million through his Africa Uncensored media.
However, the journalist has refuted claims that the funds from Ford Foundation were meant to cause chaos in the country, insisting that the funds were meant to help him carry out his journalism independently.
“This is true. We have never denied or hidden our sources of funding or partnerships. I have always said that the proof of our intentions is the work we do. I’m ready to defend all the work we have put in.”
According to Namu, the sponsorship was meant to help him and his crew to pay for legal fees after being sued for conducting and exposing several high end individuals who want to intimidate them through high cost of legal fees.
“We are also facing nefarious onslaughts in the courts via SLAPP suits i.e legal action filed by an individual or organization primarily to intimidate, silence, or censor critics by burdening them with the cost and effort of a legal defence.”
The support for Namu, however, far outweighed the attacks as most Kenyans expressed their solidarity with him and his journalistic work, many telling him to press on and ignore the sideshows.
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“They have no idea that the same foundation funds the Kenya Judiciary, Directorate of Public Prosecution, education and even health sectors. So all those departments have been working to destabilise Ruto Govt?”