Wed, June 27, 2024.

Kenyan President “William Ruto” announced on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, that he will not sign a financial law proposing to impose new taxes, after a day of violent protests that led to the deaths of several people. He added that it is necessary to start a national dialogue on how to manage the country’s affairs together.

The government wanted to raise fund to pay off debts, but Kenyans claimed the bill exacerbated the already difficult economic situation for millions of people. These protests prompted the government last Tuesday to deploy the army across the country, making it the biggest attack on the Kenyan government in decades.

The Kenyan president has seen much of the country united, led by youth, in opposition to his latest attempt at reforms and declared that the bill had caused “widespread discontent” and he conceded.

Kenyans faced the smell of tear gas and the army in the streets after a day of latest protests that saw thousands storm Parliament, Which Ruto described it as an “existential threat”.

 The Kenya National Human Rights Commission reported that at least 22 people were killed, 300 others were injured, and 50 people were arrested.

The Kenya's High Court on Wednesday ordered the suspension of the military deployment after an appeal from the Law Society of Kenya, and the Kenyan president acknowledged the deaths, calling it an "unfortunate situation" while offering his condolences.

It is noteworthy that the protests led by Kenyan youth began on social networks on Tuesday, June 18, in the capital, Nairobi, and then spread throughout the country.