KENYA PROTESTS PAY OFF AFTER DEADLY UNREST: President Ruto Backtracks on Tax Increases

RUTO BACKTRACKS ON TAX HIKES: Too Little, Too Late?

Nairobi, Kenya – In a stunning reversal, President William Ruto has withdrawn planned tax hikes that sparked widespread protests and deadly unrest across the country. Eaglessightnews has gathered.

The move comes after a week of intense pressure from a youth-led movement that demanded a political overhaul and rejection of the tax increases.

At least 23 people were killed and scores wounded in clashes between police and protesters, medics said. The violence escalated on Wednesday, with protesters storming parliament and launching demonstrations nationwide.

In a televised address, Ruto conceded to public pressure, saying: “Listening keenly to the people of Kenya, who have said loudly that they want nothing to do with this finance bill 2024, I concede. And therefore, I will not sign the 2024 finance bill, and it shall subsequently be withdrawn.”

However, protesters remained defiant, vowing to continue demonstrating and calling for Ruto’s resignation. Boniface Mwangi, a prominent social justice activist involved in the protests, said: “The arrogance is gone, but the lies are still there. Yesterday they unleashed goons and police to kill peaceful protesters. That will not stop us.” He called for a “1-million-people march” to continue the pressure on the government.

Vice President Rigathi Gachagua appealed to protesters to call off the demonstrations, blaming the intelligence services for poor advice that led to the unrest. “There would have been no mayhem, but they slept on the job,” Gachagua said, calling on the head of the National Intelligence Service to resign.¹

The protesters’ demands have expanded beyond rejecting the tax hikes to include calls for Ruto’s resignation and a broader political overhaul. The movement has gained momentum, with many Kenyans expressing frustration with the government’s handling of the economy and corruption.

The withdrawal of the tax hikes is seen as a major victory for the protest movement, but it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to quell the unrest and address the underlying grievances of the Kenyan people.