NAIROBI: Kenyan President William Ruto announced on Wednesday the withdrawal of a controversial finance bill containing tax hikes that sparked widespread violent protests across the country, resulting in the deaths of over 20 people and leaving hundreds injured.
The demonstrations, initially peaceful, erupted into violence on Tuesday as police clashed with protesters outside parliament in Nairobi. The escalation led to the complex being ransacked and partly set ablaze, marking one of Kenya’s deadliest days of protest in recent history.
“I concede and therefore I will not sign the 2024 finance bill and it shall subsequently be withdrawn,” President Ruto stated during a press briefing. “The people have spoken.”
The protests, largely led by Gen-Z demonstrators, were triggered by the passage of the 2024 finance bill by politicians on Tuesday, despite mounting public opposition. The bill, aimed at increasing taxes under Ruto’s administration, exacerbated the cost-of-living crisis in Kenya, already burdened by high inflation.
In response to the protests, Ruto initially described some demonstrators as “criminals” in a late-night address on Tuesday. However, facing continued pressure and escalating unrest, he reversed his stance, emphasizing a need for dialogue with the country’s youth.
“I will be proposing an engagement with the young people of our nation, our sons and daughters, for us to listen to them,” Ruto affirmed.
The decision to withdraw the bill comes after widespread condemnation of the use of live ammunition by police during the protests. Roseline Odede, chairwoman of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, confirmed 22 deaths and over 300 injuries nationwide, describing it as the highest toll from a single-day protest in Kenya’s recent history.
Rights groups have also accused authorities of abducting protesters, while the Kenya Medical Association condemned the unprecedented violence against unarmed civilians.
Following Ruto’s announcement, protesters, who had planned additional rallies, expressed skepticism over the president’s intentions, demanding accountability for the lives lost.
Prominent protester Hanifa Adan dismissed Ruto’s withdrawal as “PR,” stressing that while the bill was withdrawn, the lives lost could not be restored.
International observers, including the United States, have called on Kenya to respect the right to peaceful protest amid growing concerns over human rights violations.
The withdrawal of the finance bill poses significant challenges for Kenya’s fiscal policy, with the treasury warning of a substantial budget shortfall. The bill was intended to address Kenya’s soaring debt, which stands at approximately 70 percent of GDP, prompting fiscal reforms urged by international financial institutions like the IMF.
Ruto’s administration is under pressure from the IMF, which has urged the country to implement fiscal reforms in order to access funding.
