Kenyan President William Ruto Concedes to Protestors, Withdrawing Controversial Finance Bill
After deadly protests that left at least 22 people dead, President William Ruto has not signed the country’s proposed finance bill — a move many say should have been made sooner.
Kenyan President William Ruto delivers remarks during a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden in the Oval Office at the White House on May 23, 2024 in Washington, DC.
“The people have spoken,” Kenyan President William Ruto said in his address on Wednesday morning when he told the Kenyan public he’d be withdrawing the controversial tax bill that triggered widespread protests across dozens of counties in the East African country. Ruto made the decision known during a televised address, with dozens of government officials and parliament members seated behind him during his speech.
The president cited the protests as the main factor, stating that the country’s citizens were clearly not in support of the bill. “Listening keenly to the people of Kenya who have said loudly that they want nothing to do with this Finance Bill 2024, I concede,” he said. “And therefore, I will not sign the 2024 Finance Bill, and it shall subsequently be withdrawn.”
His tone sharply contrasts last night’s address, where he condemned yesterday’s protests and branded the demonstrations as treasonous. This was despite the police firing live rounds and teargas at protesters across the country, killing over 22 people, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and injuring several others. In retaliation, some protesters breached the parliament premises and set parts of it on fire, leaving MPs scrambling out after they had voted to adopt the finance bill.
“It is not in order, or even conceivable, that criminals pretending to be peaceful protesters can reign terror against the people, their elected representatives, and the institutions established under our Constitution and expect to go scot-free,” Ruto said last night, claiming that no more than six people were killed during the protests and that there has never been any extrajudicial killings by the police during his time as Kenya’s president.
While the announced withdrawal of the bill, along with declarations that cost of governance will be reduced to make up for budget deficits, many Kenyans are dissatisfied with Ruto’s response for various reasons, including the belief that the bill could’ve been withdrawn weeks ago at the first sight of general disapproval.
Some Kenyans are unconvinced by Ruto’s demeanor from earlier today, claiming that last night’s address was a better show of his authoritarian tendencies. “The Ruto who spoke yesterday night is the REAL one. This one of today is one who had no options,” X user @MisterAlbie wrote in a post.
Others cite his mismanagement of the country’s economy, as well as the rampant corruption and seemingly outsize spending by government officials under his administration. “WE ARE NOT BUYING THIS. IF WE NEED TO FIGHT CORRUPTION, RUTO MUST GO,” X user @Kimuzi_ wrote in a post. “HE IS THE FACE OF CORRUPTION.”
Ruto’s approval ratings amongst Kenyan citizens has been low, despite his courting with western allies. Now, it seems there’s a unanimous consensus of no confidence amongst the public and, beyond the announced withdrawal of the finance bill, many are clamoring for Ruto’s exit from office.
“Ruto voters had better not be fooled by this move,” X user @EstherKazungu says. “He is still a liar and a murderer.”
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