NAIROBI, Kenya, June 26 – President William Ruto has responded to the calls of Kenyans by withdrawing the Finance Bill 2024, stating that it will be shelved to allow for dialogue and a collective approach to financing the current budget.
This historic step, the first of its kind since independence, implies that the Sh 3.9 trillion budget will be managed using the current Finance Act, along with external and internal borrowing to address the budget deficit.
The Finance Bill 2024, passed by MPs on Tuesday, has sparked widespread outrage, particularly among Kenya’s youth, who feel disproportionately burdened by the proposed tax increases. Protests have erupted nationwide, with demonstrators calling for the bill’s rejection, arguing it will worsen the economic hardships faced by ordinary Kenyans.
“Listening keenly to the people of Kenya, who have said loudly that they want nothing to do with this Finance Bill 2024, I concede and therefore I will not sign the 2024 Finance Bill, and it shall subsequently be withdrawn,” President Ruto stated.
In his address to the nation, President Ruto promised to engage in dialogue with the young generation on the way forward for the country, acknowledging that the bill’s withdrawal will impact public debt, which his administration aimed to control.
“Because we have gotten rid of the Finance Bill 2024, we must have a conversation on how to manage the affairs of the country and the debt situation together. I will propose an engagement with the young people and listen to our sons and daughters,” he said.
The protests, which began last week, reached a climax on Tuesday when demonstrators stormed Parliament following the bill’s passage. The violent scenes resulted in several deaths and injuries, prompting widespread condemnation and calls for restraint from both local and international leaders including former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition Leader Raila Odinga who called for consultations.
“Without these first steps, nobody should imagine that the current situation is going away any time soon, and nobody must imagine that Kenyans will sit back and watch police butcher their children in defense of policies whose consequences are pervasive,” Odinga said.
In his address to the nation, President Ruto described Tuesday’s chaos as treasonous and vowed a tough response to restore normalcy in the country. He asserted that the events were orchestrated and funded by unnamed individuals aiming to destabilize the country. “We shall provide a full and expeditious response to the treasonous events,” Ruto stated, assuring the nation of the government’s determination to secure the country. He also issued a stern warning: “I hereby put on notice the financiers of violence and anarchy.”
By Wednesday, businesses in Nairobi and other parts of the country were counting their losses, with many shops looted or burnt. In Nairobi, City Hall and the Supreme Court were set on fire before the blazes were extinguished, but many businesses in the Central Business District were not as fortunate, as mobs descended on them.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also expressed concerns about the violence in Kenya and urged restraint. “He is saddened by the reports of deaths and injuries, including those of journalists and medical personnel,” a statement from his office said.
Guterres emphasized the importance of upholding the right to peaceful demonstrations. “The Secretary-General urges the Kenyan authorities to exercise restraint and calls for all demonstrations to remain peaceful,” the statement added.
The unfolding events highlight the significant tension and unrest in Kenya as citizens voice their discontent with the controversial Finance Bill. The call for dialogue and peaceful resolution from international figures underscores the need for a measured approach to address the grievances and restore calm in the country.
Source: capitalfm
