Ruto Scraps Tax Bill After Gen Z Protests

Ruto Scraps Tax Bill After Gen Z Protests

Kenya’s President William Ruto announced his intention to retract a finance bill that included contentious tax increases following violent protests that resulted in the parliament building being set on fire on Tuesday.

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Addressing the nation, he acknowledged that Kenyans had unequivocally expressed their opposition to the bill. “I concede,” he said, noting he would not sign the bill into law.

According to the state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNHRC), at least 22 people were killed in Tuesday’s protests. Mr. Ruto expressed his intention to engage in dialogue with the youth, who played a central role in the country’s largest protests since his election in 2022.

Ruto Scraps Tax Bill After Gen Z Protests

“After carefully listening to the people of Kenya, who have strongly voiced their rejection of the Finance Bill 2024, I concede. In light of this, I will decline to sign the 2024 Finance Bill, leading to its subsequent withdrawal,” he declared in his televised speech, emphasizing the voice of the people.

Tensions had escalated dramatically on Tuesday when police fired upon demonstrators who breached parliament. The protests, initially led by youth groups, began peacefully last week but grew in intensity as thousands mobilized against the government’s proposed tax hikes.

The unprecedented events saw parts of parliament set ablaze and left many injured, shocking the nation and prompting President William Ruto’s administration to deploy military forces. Despite the turmoil, parliament passed the controversial bill containing the tax increases on Tuesday afternoon, pending Ruto’s signature for it to become law.