Nairobi-Kenya
Kenyan President William Ruto announced Wednesday that he will not sign a controversial finance bill yielding to mass protests across the country.
The declaration comes too late after the protest reportedly left at least 23 people dead and dozens injured.
“Having reflected on the continuing conversation regarding the content of the Finance Bill 2024, and listening keenly to the people of Kenya who have said loudly that they want nothing to do with this Finance Bill 2024, I concede, and therefore I will not sign the 2024 finance bill,” Ruto said during a televised address.
“Following the passage of the bill, the country experienced widespread expression of dissatisfaction with the bill as passed, regrettably resulting in the loss of life, the destruction of property and desecration of constitutional institutions.”
Kenya, a nation often praised for its stability, had seen escalating protests over the bill, which the government introduced to rein in public debt.
Last week, the government scrapped some tax increases, including a proposed 16% value-added tax on bread along with taxes on motor vehicles, vegetable oil and mobile money transfers.
But the concessions were not enough to quell protests amid the rising cost of living.
Tuesday they turned deadly when security forces fired teargas and live ammunition at protesters.
Dramatic scenes in the nation’s capital Nairobi saw government buildings set on fire and a ceremonial mace stolen from the parliament in the melee.
Kenyan lawmakers were evacuated from the parliament as police went up against protesters.
In Kenya, a country known for its stability, protests escalated over a government bill aimed at reducing public debt.
Last week, the government cancelled some tax increases, like a proposed 16% tax on bread and taxes on vehicles, cooking oil, and mobile money transfers. However, these changes didn’t calm the protests as living costs continued to rise.
Things turned deadly on Tuesday when security forces used tear gas and live bullets against protesters in Nairobi.
The capital saw dramatic scenes with government buildings set on fire and chaos at Parliament, where a ceremonial mace was stolen. Lawmakers had to be evacuated amid clashes with police.
According to Kenya’s Police Reforms Working Group, at least 23 people died in the violence. The group accused police of targeting young, unarmed protesters, even after the protest had officially ended.
They alleged multiple shootings, including one person reportedly shot over 40 times in Nairobi’s Githurai area during late-night hours.
President Ruto, in contrast, acknowledged six deaths in his speech and extended condolences to the affected families.
He emphasized the nation’s need to move forward and announced plans to engage with the young protesters to hear their perspectives and suggestions.
Source, CNN
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