Following the deadly protest by youths in Kenya, President William Ruto has provided an explanation for his decision to withdraw the controversial Finance Act bill, which included tax increases.
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The withdrawal came after reports indicated that 22 people had lost their lives during the protests.
Ruto made the disclosure on Wednesday, shedding light on the reasons behind this significant decision.
He said, “I concede and therefore I will not sign the 2024 finance bill and it shall subsequently be withdrawn”.
The president added, “The people have spoken.”
Meanwhile, Ruto warned that the bill’s withdrawal will result in a significant shortfall in funding for development programs.
Recall that last week, Youths frustrated by economic hardship took to the streets protesting against tax hikes as proposed in Kenyan’s Finance Act put forward by the Parliament.
Consequently, the largely peaceful rallies turned violent on Tuesday when lawmakers passed the legislation and police fired live rounds into crowds that ransacked the partly ablaze parliament complex.
The state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said the protest had recorded 22 deaths and 300 injured victims.
