Cherargei revives allegations of foreign entities funding protests

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei during a past event/FILE

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has reignited debate about alleged funding of activism in Kenya by foreign entities.

Cherargei claimed that the recent “illegal” protests witnessed in Nairobi were sponsored by activists who enjoy financial support from foreign countries.

He urged the government to use its foreign intelligence networks to establish the source and destination of the funds, which he alleged were being wired into the country to finance some activities in the country including protests.

“That is the only way we are going to save this country. Some of us are aware that there is money from foreign entities through non-governmental organisations,” he said.

The Senator at the same time urged the Public Benefits Organisations Regulatory Authority (PBORA) to crack the whip on some of the NGOs and activists who he claimed are known to be funded by foreign entities.

The NGOs, he alleged, are keen on destabilising the country.

“They should be delisted! Because it is only in Kenya where such things are happening,” he stated, drawing comparisons with countries like the US.

“You cannot go there and do what you are doing. We have to do what we have to, to protect lives and property,” he said.

On July 14, 2024, President William Ruto stirred a storm when he claimed that some NGOs were being funded by foreign organisations and issued a stern warning to the entities for allegedly “sponsoring violence in Kenya.”

Speaking in Nakuru county during an inspection tour of development projects on Monday, June 16, 2025, Ruto said those sponsoring violence and anarchy in Kenya would not be tolerated.  

"We will deal firmly with any foundations and organisations fuelling anarchy,” Ruto said.

"Organisations whose only interest is to sabotage our democracy should style up or leave the country."

He said Kenya is a democratic country that is governed by the rule of law.

The President asked international NGOs to explain to Kenyans their role in the recent protests that rocked some parts of the country and what they stood to gain by 'sponsoring violence, mayhem and chaos'.

Ruto said the organisations should be ashamed and made it clear that Kenyan youth were not available for retrogressive assignments.

The President said investigations have been launched into the activities of some of the organisations working in the Kenya to establish the true nature of their activities.

"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," Ruto said.

His remarks followed the protests in June 2024 over the Finance Bill spearheaded by Gen Z.