President of Kenya, William Ruto, has announced the withdrawal of a controversial tax bill, following violent protests that left over 20 people dead and parliament ransacked.
“I concede, and therefore I will not sign the 2024 finance bill, and it shall subsequently be withdrawn. The people have spoken,” Ruto said in a press briefing.
Ruto’s decision came as a response to the backlash against the tax hikes, which were met with protests across the country.
The demonstrations turned deadly on Tuesday when police fired live rounds into crowds that stormed the parliament complex, leaving 22 people dead and 300 injured, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.
Despite withdrawing the bill, Ruto warned of a significant shortfall in funding for development programmes aimed at supporting farmers, schoolteachers, and other groups.
The East African nation is struggling to reduce its foreign debt burden, which stands at approximately 70% of its GDP.
The tax hikes were intended to service Kenya’s debt of 10 trillion shillings ($78 billion).
