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This has come a day after protestors stormed parliament and several people were shot dead. It was the biggest assault on Kenya’s government in decades.
In a significant development, Kenyan President William Ruto said that he would not sign into law a finance bill proposing new taxes. This has come a day after protestors stormed parliament and several people were shot dead. It was the biggest assault on Kenya’s government in decades.
The government wanted to raise funds to pay off debt. However, Kenyans felt the bill caused more economic pain as millions struggled to get by. The chaos that shook the nation led the government to deploy the military, to beef up another layer of security to help the police forces.
Many feel that the conciliatory note of Ruto came late. He should have gone for conciliation right from the beginning taking stakeholders especially the youth into confidence. The president admitted that the bill caused widespread dissatisfaction. He said he has listened and conceded to the demand of the people.
Analysts feel that it was a major setback for Ruto, who came to power vowing to help Kenyans cope with rising costs but has seen much of the country. Some feel that the bloodshed could have been avoided if the tax measures were introduced through proper consultations. Days of violent agitations across the country, resulting in deaths, could have been avoided by taking into confidence youth and other stakeholders in the system. A section of intelligentsia feels that unemployment and poverty are the major reasons for the violence and what is expected of the president to address these two challenging talks, for which there is no easy and immediate solution.
Ruto acknowledged deaths, calling it an unfortunate situation, and offered condolences. He said about 200 people had been wounded. Nairobi has seen protests in the past, but activists and others warned the stakes were more dangerous. Ruto earlier in the week vowed to quash unrest at whatever cost, even as more protests were called at State House.
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Kenya’s High Court recently ordered the military deployment suspended after a challenge by the Kenya Law Society. The High Court ordered police to release all people arrested in the protests. Ruto said those allegedly abducted had been released or produced in court.
