Kenyan President withdraws controversial finance bill after violent protests

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

The government has bowed down after several days of protests in Kenya. Kenyan President William Ruto has said that he will withdraw the controversial finance bill, which had provisions for tax hike.

This decision has been taken by President William Ruto after violent protests spread in Kenya.

Kenyan President William Ruto said that he will withdraw the finance bill which contains these provisions.

Under these provisions, 16 percent sales tax was to be imposed on bread and 25 percent duty on cooking oil.

Vehicles were to be taxed at 2.5 percent of their price. There was also a plan to increase tax on financial transactions. This would have made the life of ordinary Kenyans very difficult.

Addressing the people of Kenya, William Ruto said that it has become clear that the people of Kenya did not want anything from this bill. Saying that he would not sign the bill into law, William Ruto said, "I admit defeat."

There was a controversy in Kenya over the government's new finance bill and protests took place for several days, but as soon as it was passed in Parliament, the protests took a violent turn.

22 people were confirmed dead in the violent protests on Tuesday, 25 June 2024. Kenya's National Human Rights Commission has said that so far 22 people have died in violent protests against this bill.

President William Ruto has said that he will now talk to the youth of the country, who led the biggest demonstration since the year 2022.

Despite protests across the country, Kenya's Parliament passed the controversial finance bill.

After the bill was passed, the protests took a violent turn and the protesters also entered the Parliament, where they committed arson. People protesting against the provisions also burnt a part of the Kenyan Parliament.

Initially, President Ruto was also seen dealing with these protests strictly. Even the army was deployed to stop the protesters, however, seeing the massive protest of the people, the President softened and announced the withdrawal of the bill.

The bill introduced by the government was aimed at reducing the debt of 80 billion dollars on the country, which affects Kenya's annual tax.

Ruto said that the new provisions could have proved beneficial for farmers, students and teachers but he admitted that people were not standing with him. He said, "I lead the people and they have said their point."

There is a discussion on social media in Kenya that the current protests are going to continue. Earlier, the purpose of these protests was that the President should not sign the controversial finance bill but now it is being demanded that he should resign.

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