Following violent protests that rocked Kenya, President William Ruto on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, declared that he would not sign a controversial finance bill that had triggered the deadly protests in the country in which at least six people were confirmed dead.
President Ruto in a television address, said that having reflected on the continuing conversation regarding the content of the Finance bill 2024, and listening keenly to the people of Kenya who have said loudly that they want nothing to do with the Finance Bill 2024, he has conceded.
He said; “Therefore, I will not sign the 2024 finance bill. The people have spoken.
“I send my condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones in this very unfortunate manner.
“There is need for us as a nation to pick up from here and go into the future,” Ruto pleaded.
He assured that he will hold an engagement with the young people in Kenya to listen to their ideas and proposals.
Kenya experienced widespread expression of dissatisfaction with the Finance Bill following its passage by the parliament which resulted in the destruction of property and desecration of some major institutions that included the Senate building.
The Kenyan Government, last week scrapped some tax increases, including a proposed 16% value-added tax on bread along with taxes on motor vehicles, vegetable oil and mobile money transfers.
In spite of the concessions, the people mainly made up of youths rejected the government’s offers and went ahead with protests that later turned bloodied when security forces fired teargas and live ammunition at the protesters.
