Kenya’s Ruto Rejects Finance Bill, Returns it to Parliament

GOOBJOOG NEWS | NAIROBI: Kenyan president William Ruto Wednesday said he had withdrawn the controversial Finance Bill 2024 and returned it to parliament for amendments amid growing pressure from Kenyans, mostly   young people who say the bill proposed punitive tax measures.

Ruto had on Tuesday promised to crackdown on organizers and financiers of the demonstrations which he termed them as “treasonous” and contravened the country’s constitution.  

In an address to the nation on Wednesday, he said it was clear that Kenyans “want nothing” to do with the bill.

“I concede,” he said, adding that he will not sign the bill into law. Listening keenly to the people of Kenya who have said loudly that they want nothing to do with this Finance Bill 2024, I concede,” Ruto said.

Adding, “And therefore, I will not sign the 2024 Finance Bill, and it shall subsequently be withdrawn. The people have spoken.”

At least 22 people were killed in Tuesday’s protests, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNHRC).