Kenya: ‘The people have spoken’ – Ruto withdraws controversial tax bill after deadly protest

The President of Kenya, William Ruto has explained why he withdrew the controversial Finance Act bill containing tax hikes after 22 persons have been reported dead in a deadly protest by youths.

Ruto disclosed this on Wednesday,

He said, “I concede and therefore I will not sign the 2024 finance bill and it shall subsequently be withdrawn”.

The president added, “The people have spoken.”

Meanwhile, Ruto warned that the withdrawal of the bill will result in a significant shortfall in funding for development programs.

Recall that last week, Youths frustrated by economic hardship took to the streets protesting against tax hikes as proposed in Kenyan’s Finance Act put forward by the Parliament.

Consequently, the largely peaceful rallies turned violent on Tuesday when lawmakers passed the legislation and police fired live rounds into crowds that ransacked the partly ablaze parliament complex.

The state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said the protest had recorded 22 deaths and 300 injured victims.