[ad_1]
Kenyan President William Ruto has announced he will not sign the controversial finance bill that has sparked deadly protests across the country and left at least six people dead.
“After reflecting on the ongoing conversation about the content of the Finance Bill 2024 and listening carefully to the people of Kenya who have said loudly that they want nothing to do with this Finance Bill 2024, I recognize and therefore will not sign the Finance Bill 2024 .” Ruto said during a televised address on Wednesday.
“Following the passage of the bill, the country experienced widespread discontent with the bill passed, which unfortunately resulted in loss of life, destruction of property and desecration of constitutional institutions.”
Last week, the government scrapped some tax increases, including a proposed 16 percent value-added tax on bread, along with taxes on motor vehicles, vegetable oil and mobile money transfers.
But the concessions were not enough to quell protests amid the rising cost of living.
On Tuesday, they turned deadly when security forces fired tear gas and live ammunition at the protesters.
“I send my condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones in this very unfortunate way,” Ruto added.
“There is a need for us as a nation to take from here and go into the future,” Ruto said, adding that he would hold an engagement with Kenya’s youth to listen to their ideas and suggestions.
[ad_2]
