The protests in Kenya have yielded results as Kenya’s President, William Ruto has promised to withdraw a finance bill containing controversial tax hikes. The deadly protests saw part of the Parliament complex set ablaze on Tuesday.
Addressing the nation, he said it was clear that Kenyans “want nothing” to do with the bill.
“I concede,” he said, adding that he would not sign the bill into law.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNHRC) reports that at least 22 people were killed in Tuesday’s protests.
President Ruto said he has now opted to dialogue with the youths who championed the biggest protests the country has witnessed since his coming to power in 2022.
The Parliament went ahead to pass the bill on Tuesday, despite nationwide demonstrations against it.
Protesters broke into parliament, vandalized the interior and set parts of the complex on fire. The ceremonial mace, which is a symbol of the authority of the legislature, was stolen.
Ruto initially responded with defiance, ordering the military to be deployed, saying “violence and anarchy” would not be tolerated.
But he backed down on Wednesday, following an extraordinary demonstration of people power.
The headline on Kenyan Citizen TV read: “Ruto bows to Gen Z pressure, withdraws Finance Bill.”
Addressing the nation for a second time in less than 24 hours, the President laid out a very clear rationale for why he thought the tax increases were necessary.
The proposed legislation was part of efforts to cut the country’s massive debt burden of more than $80bn (£63bn), which costs the country more than half of its annual tax revenues to service.
Mr Ruto added that his government had made progress and was on course to “assert sovereignty” by repaying its debts.
He said the provisions would have been of benefit to farmers, students and teachers, but he admitted the people were not behind him.
“I also lead people,” he said, “and the people have spoken.”
It is uncertain if the planned protests scheduled to continue on Thursday via social media will still hold after the President’s decision to step down the unpopular finance bill.
Chatter on social media suggested that it would still go ahead.
The initial purpose of the demonstrations was to force the president not to sign the bill.
But the protesters have begun demanding that he steps down, with the slogan “Ruto must go.”
President William Ruto rose to the presidency after defeating his main rival Raila Odinga by a narrow margin in the 2022 election.
Source: BBC News
