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William Ruto withdraws Kenya finance bill after deadly protests
Kenyan President William Ruto has said he will withdraw a finance bill containing controversial tax increases, following deadly protests that led to Parliament being set on fire on Tuesday.
In an address to the nation, he said it was clear that Kenyans “want nothing” to do with the bill.
“I admit it,” he said, adding that he would not sign the bill into law.
At least 22 people were killed in Tuesday’s protests, according to the state-funded Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNHRC).
Ruto said he would now engage with young people, who have been at the forefront of the biggest protests to hit the country since he was elected in 2022.
On Thursday morning, police were deployed across the capital and around State House, with many Kenyans on social media promising to organize a march to the president’s official residence.
But some prominent people linked to the protests have warned against this due to the risk of further violence.
The original objective of the demonstrations was to force the president not to sign the project.
But some protesters have now started demanding that he resign, with the slogan “Ruto must go”.
The bill was approved by parliament on Tuesday, despite national demonstrations against it.
Protesters stormed parliament, vandalizing the interior and setting parts of the complex on fire. The ceremonial mace, symbolizing the authority of the legislature, was stolen.
Mr Ruto initially responded with defiance.
He ordered the deployment of the military, saying “violence and anarchy” would not be tolerated.
But he resigned on Wednesday after an extraordinary show of people power.
“Ruto bows to Gen Z pressure, withdraws Finance Bill,” read a headline on Kenya’s Citizen TV.
In his second address to the nation in less than 24 hours, Mr Ruto gave a very clear reason as to why he believed tax increases were necessary.
The proposed legislation was part of efforts to reduce the country’s huge debt burden of more than $80 billion (£63 billion), which costs the country more than half of its annual tax revenue to service.
Ruto added that his government had made progress and was on track to “assert sovereignty” by paying off its debts.
He said the provisions would have benefited farmers, students and teachers, but admitted that the people did not support him.
“I also lead people,” he said, “and the people have spoken.”
But his withdrawal did not change people’s plans to resume protests on Thursday.
Ruto ascended to the presidency after defeating his main rival, Raila Odinga, by a narrow margin in the 2022 elections.
He obtained 50.5% of the votes, against 48.8% for Odinga.
Ruto won after presenting himself as a “drug lord” who challenged an attempt by two dynasties – the Odingas and the Kenyattas – to hold on to power.
He promised a “bottom-up” approach to the economy to tackle high youth unemployment and improve the lives of the disadvantaged.