Kenyan President, William Ruto, has withdrawn and rejected the controversial Finance Bill 2024, following widespread protests and violence across the country on Tuesday, June 25.
Protesters stormed the National Assembly, setting a section of the parliament building on fire, and clashing with police.
The protests, led by youth, were sparked by the passing of the Finance Bill 2024, which introduced unpopular tax proposals.
Demonstrators demanded that MPs reject the bill, citing concerns over the impact of new taxes on the economy and ordinary citizens.
Despite the government’s attempts to justify the new taxes as necessary to fund spending programmes and reduce the debt burden, the protests continued to gain momentum.
Businesses were shut, transport was paralysed, and police engaged in running battles with demonstrators, using rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowds.
In a surprise move, President Ruto on Wednesday June 26 announced the withdrawal and rejection of the Finance Bill 2024 in response to the widespread unrest.
In a televised address, he indicated that “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 And therefore, I will not sign the 2024 finance bill, and it shall subsequently be withdrawn.”