The National Assembly is examining proposed legal protections for the Ford Foundation and the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), with lawmakers seeking assurances that the arrangements would not affect the enforcement of local laws and the work of oversight agencies.

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The Committee on Delegated Legislation considered the draft Privileges and Immunities orders on October 8 during a meeting with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and officials from the organisations.

Members of Parliament questioned the proposed privileges for the Ford Foundation, with members insisting that any protections granted must have clear limits and must not interfere with the country's sovereignty, accountability systems, or the application of the law.

The proposed order comes after Cabinet-approved plans for the Ford Foundation to establish a Nairobi office in February.

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Similarly, Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga questioned why AFC should receive special treatment when other foreign financial institutions, including Nigerian banks, already operate in Kenya.

Gichugu MP Robert Gichimu asked whether the proposed privileges were similar to those granted to AFC in other countries, while Likuyani MP Innocent Mugabe sought clarification on whether the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) would retain the power to intervene in corruption cases involving the corporation.

Officials told the committee that AFC would operate under Kenyan law through a framework similar to the one governing diplomatic missions.

AFC Director Fola Fagbule urged Parliament to support the proposal, arguing that the corporation’s Nairobi presence could generate significant economic opportunities, particularly through infrastructure financing and investment.

The proposed order follows a Host Country Agreement signed between Kenya and AFC in April, paving the way for the corporation to establish its first regional office outside Lagos in Nairobi.

AFC has committed more than Ksh168.92 billion ($1.3billion) to Kenyan energy, transport and industrial projects since 2017 and plans to mobilise over Ksh259.68billion ($2 billion) across the region within three to five years.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke