Kenyan President William Ruto announced on Wednesday that he will not sign into law a finance bill proposing new taxes, following a tumultuous day in which protestors stormed parliament and several people were killed. This marks the most significant challenge to Kenya’s government in decades.
The proposed bill aimed to raise funds to pay off national debt, but it was met with widespread opposition from Kenyans who argued it would exacerbate their economic struggles. The protests on Tuesday led to the deployment of military forces, and Ruto condemned the demonstrators’ actions as “treasonous.”
President Ruto has since acknowledged the “widespread dissatisfaction” caused by the bill and stated that he has listened to the people and decided to withdraw the legislation. This represents a major setback for Ruto, who assumed office with promises to alleviate the financial burdens on Kenyans but now faces substantial opposition, particularly from the youth.
“It is necessary for us to have a conversation as a nation on how to manage the affairs of the country together,” Ruto remarked.
The aftermath of the protests left Nairobi under a lingering cloud of tear gas, with military presence still noticeable. The demonstrators’ storming of parliament was a bold act of defiance that Ruto described as an “existential” threat. According to a human rights group, at least 22 people were killed, and there were accusations of police involvement in some of the deaths.
Ruto called the deaths an “unfortunate situation” and extended his condolences, noting that around 200 people had been injured.
While Nairobi has experienced protests before, activists warn that the current situation is particularly perilous. On Tuesday, Ruto pledged to quell the unrest “at whatever cost,” even as more protests were planned for State House on Thursday.
“We are dealing with a new phenomenon and a group of people that is not predictable. If it were the usual demonstrations, I’d say it would fizzle out with time, but we don’t know whether these people will fear the army,” said Herman Manyora, an analyst and professor at the University of Nairobi.
Manyora criticized the president for missing an opportunity to adopt a more conciliatory tone in his national address on Tuesday night.
In response to a challenge by the Kenya Law Society, Kenya’s High Court on Wednesday ordered the suspension of the military deployment.
Though Wednesday saw no new reports of violence, there was a palpable sense of fear. Civil society groups have reported abductions of individuals involved in the protests and expect more incidents to follow. The High Court ordered police to release all those arrested during the protests. Ruto stated that those allegedly abducted had either been released or processed in court.
Many young Kenyans who had supported Ruto in the 2022 elections, hopeful for economic relief, now find themselves opposing the very reforms intended to address the nation’s financial issues. On Tuesday, part of the parliament building was set on fire, and clashes erupted in several communities beyond the capital.
The Kenya National Human Rights Commission reported that at least 22 people were killed, with commission chairperson Roseline Odede noting that 300 others were injured and 50 people were arrested.
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