The apparent concessions came after violent protests in the capital Nairobi left at least 22 people dead and scores injured.
advertisementKenya’s President William Ruto said Wednesday he will not sign a controversial finance bill proposing new taxes, a day after protests turned deadly in the country.
In the largest attack against the Kenyan government in decades, the incident left several people shot dead and buildings set on fire.
The government defended the bill, which includes multiple tax hikes, saying it needs to raise money to pay off debt. Ordinary Kenyans say the bill will cause economic hardship as millions struggle to make ends meet.
Tuesday’s chaos prompted the government to deploy the military and Ruto called the protesters’ actions “treason.”
The president has now seemingly conceded, saying the bill has caused “widespread discontent” and that he listened to it and “conceded.”
It is a major setback for Ruto, who came to power pledging to help Kenyans cope with rising costs. Instead, he saw much of the country, led mainly by young people, unite to oppose his latest attempt at reform.
“We need to have a conversation together as a nation about how to navigate national affairs,” he said.
What was the aftermath like after Tuesday’s violent protests?
Kenyans faced tear gas and the smell of troops in the streets on Wednesday, a day after thousands stormed parliament in recent protests. It was an act of defiance that Ruto called an “existential” threat.
A human rights group said at least 22 people were killed and police officers were charged in some of the shootings.
Ruto acknowledged the deaths and expressed condolences, calling the situation “unfortunate.” He confirmed that about 200 people were injured.
There have been protests in the capital, Nairobi, in the past, but activists and others warn the stakes are higher this time.
On Tuesday, Ruto vowed to quell unrest “at all costs”. He made those comments before further protests were announced to be held on Thursday.
According to some experts, this protest has a different feel.
“We are dealing with a new phenomenon and an unpredictable group of people. If it were a normal protest, I would say it would go away over time, but we don’t know whether these people will be afraid of the military or not.” Herman Majora, an analyst and professor at the University of Nairobi, told reporters.
He added that the president missed an opportunity to adopt a more conciliatory approach in his State of the Union address Tuesday night.
Why did the protesters take to the streets of Nairobi?
Kenyans have united across tribal and other divisions to prevent the Finance Bill from becoming law. Taxes and fees would have increased on a variety of everyday items and services, from egg imports to bank transfers.
There were no reports of violence on Wednesday, but there was fear in the city. Civil society groups reported that people involved in recent protests have been kidnapped, and they expect more to follow.
The High Court ordered police to release all those arrested in the protests. Ruto said those kidnapped had already been released or dealt with in court.
advertisementMany young people who helped propel Ruto to power in 2022 on promises of economic relief now oppose his wide-ranging reform plans.
Kenya’s National Human Rights Commission said Tuesday that 300 people were injured and a further 50 were arrested.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga called for dialogue, saying Kenya’s constitution was suspended. “Kenya cannot afford to kill children just because they ask for food, jobs and to be listened to,” he said in his statement.
In Nairobi, a regional hub for expats and home to the United Nations complex, inequality among Kenyans has deepened, along with long-standing complaints about state corruption.
The rapidly growing youth population is also frustrated with the luxurious lifestyles of politicians, including the president. Some who fervently supported Ruto, who came to power by presenting himself as a lowly crook, now feel betrayed.
advertisementYoung people (also known as Gen Z) have led protests and sought to stop lawmakers from approving the finance bill on Tuesday.
Ruto had two weeks left to sign the bill and was away in Naroibi as protests intensified.
Opposition senator Edwin Sifuna wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that his concessions were criticized as “self-preservation” by a leader worried about his reputation.
The incident marks a sharp turnaround for Ruto, who has been embraced by the United States as a welcome partner in Africa, amid growing frustration with the United States and other Western powers and elsewhere on the continent.
Now Kenya’s government is appealing for calm from its partners, including the United States, which joined a dozen other countries in a statement Tuesday expressing “deep concern” over the violence and apparent kidnappings with protesters.
advertisement“How did you get here?” Kenya’s Vice President Rigathi Gachagua publicly wondered how the government had become so unpopular in just two years in comments broadcast nationally on Wednesday following the change of presidents. “We were loved by the Kenyan people,” he added.
