Following yesterday’s chaotic scenes at Kenya’s parliament, where protesters overpowered police and gained entry into parliamentary buildings, forcing police to fire live bullets, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.
The nationwide protests, led by youths known as GenZ, expressed discontent with the contentious Finance Bill 2024, passed by MPs and sent to the president for assent.
Reports indicate that 23 people were killed in Nairobi, including a doctor who was shot while providing first aid to an injured protester. Another 30 people were killed in Githurai later in the evening, following the deployment of the Kenya Defense Forces.
The number of fatalities in other parts of the country is yet to be confirmed.The violent handling of protesters has sparked widespread condemnation, including from several embassies and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta emphasized that leaders should listen to their voters, not themselves. Raila Odinga, former Presidential Candidate and Azimio La Umoja Principal, advised President Ruto to drop the finance bill and explore alternative financing options.
In response to the mounting pressure and violent scenes, President William Ruto has made the difficult decision to drop the contentious Finance Bill, requesting MPs to withdraw the bill and explore alternative financing options for Kenya’s KES 3.92 trillion budget for 2024/25.
The finance bill proposed taxes on diapers, pads, motor vehicles, money transactions, and VAT on bread, aiming to raise KES 200 billion.
“On behalf of these members and on behalf of all Kenyans, i send my condolences to families of those who lost their loved ones in this very unfortunate manner. 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this bill Finance bill 2024, i concede and therefore i will not sign the 2024 finance bill and it shall subsequently be withdrawn and i have agreed with these members that that becomes our collective position”- said Ruto
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