President Ruto Bows to Pressure after Deadly Protest in Kenya

In the aftermath of Kenya's protests which saw the parliament set ablaze, President William Ruto says he will withdraw the finance bill containing controversial tax hikes.

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

"I concede," he said, adding that he would not sign the bill into law.

According to the state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNHRC), at least 22 people were killed during protests.

Mr Ruto said he would now enter into dialogue with the young people, who were at the forefront of the biggest protests to hit the country since he was elected in 2022.

The bill was passed by parliament on Tuesday, despite nationwide demonstrations against it.

Protesters broke into parliament, vandalising the interior and setting parts of the complex on fire. 

The ceremonial mace, symbolising the authority of the legislature, was stolen.

Mr Ruto initially responded with defiance.

He ordered the military to be deployed, saying "violence and anarchy" would not be tolerated.

But he climbed down on Wednesday, following an extraordinary demonstration of people power.

While addressing the nation within 24 hours, Mr Ruto laid out a very clear rationale for why he thought the tax increases were necessary.

He noted that the proposed legislation was part of efforts to cut the country’s massive debt burden of more than $80bn (£63bn), which costs the country more than half of its annual tax revenues to service.

Mr Ruto added that his government had made progress and was on course to “assert sovereignty” by repaying its debts.

He said the provisions would have benefitted farmers, students and teachers, but he admitted the people were not behind him.

“I also lead people,” he said, “and the people have spoken.”

It is unclear clear how his climbdown will affect plans to resume the protests, which have largely been organised via social media, on Thursday.

The initial aim of the demonstrations was to pressure the president not to sign the bill. However, the protesters are now calling for his resignation with the slogan "Ruto must go." President Ruto narrowly defeated his main opponent, Raila Odinga, in the 2022 election, securing 50.5% of the vote compared to Odinga's 48.8%. 

Ruto's victory was framed as a challenge to the longstanding dominance of the Odinga and Kenyatta dynasties. He campaigned on a "bottom-up" economic approach to address youth unemployment and improve conditions for the underprivileged.

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