Kenya’s President William Ruto has said he will not sign the contentious Finance Bill which triggered deadly riots across the country on Tuesday, leaving at least 13 people dead.
“Consequently, having reflected on the continuing conversation around the content of the Finance Bill 2024 and listening keenly to the people of Kenya who have said loudly that they want nothing to do with this Finance bill 2024, I concede,” said Ruto in a televised national address on Wednesday.
“And therefore, I will not be signing the 2024 Finance bill and it shall subsequently be withdrawn,” he further said, adding, “And I have agreed with his members that it becomes our collective position.”
The concession is a big win for Kenyans, especially Generation Z which actively participated in the protests against the Bill which would have imposed severe taxes on them.
Ruto denied reports that security forces had carried out extrajudicial killings, insisting that only 6 people were killed in Tuesday’s violence. However, the Kenya Medical Association yesterday put the death toll at 13.
Ruto had earlier threatened to “thwart any attempts by dangerous criminals to undermine the security and stability of our country”, stoking more public anger.
However, the Kenyan leader today struck a conciliatory and empathetic tone, describing the protesters as “our sons and daughters” whose views should be “listened to.”
“Following the passage of the bill, the country witnessed widespread expression of dissatisfaction with a bill as passed, regrettably resulting in the loss of life, destruction of property and disintegration of constitutional institutions,” said Ruto.
“On my own behalf and on behalf of these members, and many other Kenyans, I send my condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones in this very unfortunate manner,” he added.
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Ruto said he would continue to engage the young people and “listen to their proposals; their ideas, their concerns and what they think we should do better as we go forward.”
He added: “I am also recommending a multi-sectoral, bipartisan multi-stakeholder engagement from civil society, religious organizations, and professional bodies for us as a nation to speak to the future of our country.”
The President further directed for “immediate further austerity measures to reduce expenditure starting with the office of the president – the entire presidency and extending to the entire executive arm of government, travel, hospitality, purchase of motor vehicles, renovations and other expenditures.”
He also proposed that equally parliament, the judiciary, and county governments, working with the National Treasury also undertake budget cuts and austerity to “ensure that we do live within our means, respecting the very loud message that is coming from the people of Kenya.”
Ruto also vowed to tackle corruption.
“Let me also confirm that as we deal with austerity, the loud message on dealing firmly, decisively and expeditiously with corruption is a matter that we have discussed and we have agreed that it will take the front burner as we go into the future.”
Kenya’s former President Uhuru Kenyatta and ex Prime Minister Raila Odinga had warned Ruto against failure to listen to the cries of the people of Kenya over the controversial Finance Bill and killing of protesters.
“The starting point to ending this impasse and cruel bloodletting is for the government to immediately and unconditionally withdraw the Finance Bill and make way for a fresh start and dialogue.”
Ruto last week said the Finance Bill had been amended to remove the proposed 16 per cent VAT on bread, transportation of sugar, financial services, foreign exchange transactions as well as the 2.5 per cent Motor Vehicle Tax.
Additionally, there will be no increase in mobile money transfer fees, and Excise Duty on vegetable oil has also been removed, said Ruto.
Source: Chimpreports