National

IFC under fire: US alleges sexual abuse coverup at Bridge schools in Kenya

A view of the headquarters of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Washington, DC, in the United States. (Photo: File/AFP)

By Amina Wako | Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The US says the IFC engaged in a "supplemental confidential" agreement, raising suspicions of an attempt to cover up instances of sexual abuse at the Bridge International Academies in Kenya.

The United States government has accused the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of attempting to conceal reports of child sex abuse at Bridge International Academies in Kenya.

The accusation comes in the wake of investigations into the low-cost private school.

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The US Treasury Department revealed that the IFC engaged in a "supplemental confidential" agreement, raising suspicions of an attempt to cover up instances of sexual abuse, shortly after the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) initiated the probe.

"This is deeply troubling. It raises broader accountability issues," it said in a statement on March 14, 2024.

The allegations indicated that staff members at the IFC neglected to conduct thorough due diligence or sufficient monitoring, despite receiving reports of teacher misconduct at Bridge.

The CAO, acting as the World Bank's internal watchdog for projects undertaken by the IFC and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), began investigations following reports from community members in Nairobi who brought to the ombudsman's attention allegations of child sexual abuse involving two Bridge teachers and 15 students.

A leaked report uncovered a pattern of the IFC's failure to adhere to its protocols and disregard for evidence over several years.

The US Treasury announced on March 14 that the investigative report (the CAO report) confirmed numerous incidents of child sexual abuse between 2013 and 2020 at schools in Kenya run by Bridge, a former IFC client.

As the largest shareholder with veto power over changes within the World Bank, the US holds significant influence over development priorities.

Bridge responded to the allegations, saying it "remains steadfast in its commitment to collaborate with the government and other stakeholders to strengthen safeguarding policies and practices.".

The World Bank held a $13 million stake in Bridge from 2013 to 2022. However, in light of the reports of sexual abuse, the IFC divested from the programme.

"The IFC exited New Globe Schools, the parent company of Bridge International Academies, after making investments, including equity purchases of over $10 million in the company since 2013," sources revealed.

Despite the divestment, the IFC's investment activities in Kenya have remained significant. By the end of 2022, it had invested Sh111.7 billion ($834 million) in 31 Kenyan firms, primarily focusing on local banks.

However, the IFC's investment projects have faced scrutiny for ethical and sustainability issues. Education International (EI), a global federation of teachers' trade unions, has been at the forefront of efforts to halt the IFC's support for Bridge schools.

"It is clear that Bridge is a contentious partner," acknowledged a 2017 report from UK MPs, citing substandard facilities and unsanitary conditions reported by inspectors in Uganda.