Kenyan President William Ruto announced on Wednesday that the controversial finance bill, which included contentious tax hikes, will be withdrawn. This decision comes after intense protests led to the deaths of more than 20 people and the ransacking of parliament.
Ruto acknowledged the need to heed the public’s voice, stating, “I concede and therefore I will not sign the 2024 finance bill and it shall subsequently be withdrawn. The people have spoken.”
However, he warned that withdrawing the bill would lead to significant funding shortfalls for crucial development programs aimed at supporting farmers, teachers, and other sectors, as Kenya grapples with its foreign debt.
The announcement followed a dramatic escalation in protests across the country. What began as largely peaceful rallies turned violent on Tuesday after lawmakers passed the finance bill. Police fired live rounds into crowds, and the parliament complex was partly set ablaze by protesters.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported 22 deaths and 300 injuries, pledging to launch an investigation into the violence.
The proposed tax hikes had sparked widespread frustration amid rising living costs. The government argued that the increases were necessary to manage Kenya’s enormous debt of approximately 10 trillion shillings ($78 billion), which amounts to roughly 70 percent of the country’s GDP.
President Ruto’s decision to withdraw the bill highlights the administration’s need to address public dissent while balancing fiscal responsibilities.
