Kenyan President William Ruto announced on Wednesday that he would withdraw a controversial bill proposing significant tax hikes. This decision comes after violent protests led to the deaths of more than 20 people and the ransacking of parliament.
Ruto acknowledged the public outcry, stating, “I concede and therefore I will not sign the 2024 finance bill and it shall subsequently be withdrawn. The people have spoken.” Despite the withdrawal, he warned that this would result in a substantial funding shortfall for development programs aimed at helping farmers and schoolteachers, as Kenya struggles to manage its foreign debt.
The protests against the tax hikes began peacefully last week but escalated dramatically on Tuesday when parliament passed the legislation. Police responded to the unrest by firing live rounds at demonstrators, leading to the partial burning and ransacking of the parliament complex.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported 22 deaths and 300 injuries, and announced an investigation into the violence. The protests were fueled by frustration over the rising cost of living, which was exacerbated by the proposed tax hikes in the 2024 finance bill.
Ruto’s administration argued that the tax increases were necessary to service Kenya’s massive debt, which stands at approximately 10 trillion shillings ($78 billion), or about 70 percent of the nation’s GDP. However, the intense opposition and subsequent violence forced the government to reconsider its position.