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Kenyan president withdraws finance bill that sparked deadly protests | World News
Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Kenya’s capital Nairobi on Tuesday to oppose the bill, which they say would put even more pressure on ordinary citizens trying to cope with the high cost of living.
By Claire Gilbody Dickerson, News Reporter
Wednesday, June 26, 2024, 4:34 p.m., United Kingdom
Kenyan President William Ruto has withdrawn a bill that sparked deadly protests in Nairobi, saying he was respecting Kenyans’ “laudable” opposition.
After 22 people were allegedly killed in violent protests on Tuesday which also saw part Kenya burnt parliament building, Ruto said he would no longer introduce unpopular new financial laws that would have increased taxes on Kenyans.
Protesters said the bill would have put even more pressure on ordinary citizens and businesses trying to cope with the high cost of living.
The government claimed it wanted to raise funds to pay off debts.
See more information:
Protesters in Kenya are shot dead as tax law passes
Police tear gas protesters in Nairobi amid anti-tax demonstration
Image: President William Ruto withdrew a bill that sparked deadly protests. Photo: AP People destroyed parliament
“Listening carefully to the people of Kenya who have said loudly that they want nothing to do with this 2024 finance law,
I admit.
“And therefore, I will not sign the 2024 finance bill and it will subsequently be withdrawn,” Ruto said in a televised speech.
Image: Thousands protested in the capital Nairobi. Photo: Reuters
Thousands of people stormed parliament on Tuesday, making it the biggest attack on Kenya’s government in decades.
The chaos prompted the Kenyan government to deploy the military, while Ruto called the protesters’ actions “treacherous”.
At least 22 people were killed, the Kenya National Human Rights Commission said. The commission’s president, Roseline Odede, added that 50 people were arrested.
Mr Ruto acknowledged the deaths during his speech on Wednesday, calling them a “regrettable situation”, and offered condolences.
Image: The new law would increase taxes for people. Photo: Reuters
Ruto said many of the 214 people “involved in various conflicts” during the protests were taken to hospital, 95 of whom were treated and released.
Soldiers patrolled alongside police, who were accused of shooting several people dead.
Authorities said police fired more than 700 blanks to disperse protesters in the Nairobi suburb of Githurai overnight.
Videos of the shooting were shared online.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga condemned the killing of protesters and the authorities’ “brute force” and called for dialogue, saying Kenya’s constitution had been suspended.
“Kenya cannot afford to kill its children just because the children ask for food, jobs and a listening ear,” Odinga said in a statement.
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In Nairobi, a regional hub for expatriates and home to a United Nations complex, inequality among Kenyans has risen, along with long-standing frustrations over state corruption.
A growing young population is also frustrated with the lavish lifestyles of politicians, including the president.
Some of those who passionately supported Ruto, who won the presidency by presenting himself as a “drug lord” with humble origins, feel betrayed.