Kenya protests: President drops controversial bill that led to deadly protests

Edith Wanjiku, left, weeps after viewing the body of her son, who was allegedly shot by police during Tuesday's protest. Credit: AP

Kenyan President William Ruto has dropped the controversial finance bill that caused more than 20 deaths after protesters stormed the country's parliament.

Addressing his nation, the President said he respected the loud message coming from Kenyans.

“I run a government, but I also lead people, and the people have spoken,” he said.

“Having reflected on the continuing conversation around the finance bill 2024 and listening keenly to the people of Kenya, who have said loudly that they want nothing to do with the finance bill 2024, I concede and therefore I will not sign the 2024 finance bill and it shall subsequently be withdrawn.

"I also propose that equally parliament, judiciary and county governments working with the national treasury also undertake budget cuts and austerity to ensure that we do live within our means, respecting the very loud message that is coming from the people of Kenya.”

Protesters scatter as Kenya police spray a water canon at them. Credit: AP

He added that many of the 214 people "involved in various altercations" were taken to the hospital, 95 of whom were treated and released. One is currently in the ICU and 14 are still in hospital.

The bill led thousands of protesters to rally under the "7 Days of Rage" banner and set alight part of the Kenyan parliament building on Tuesday causing politicians to flee.

Police responded by firing live rounds at protesters, killing at least 22 people, the Kenya National Human Rights Commission said.

Chairperson Roseline Odede of the commission reported that 300 people were injured and 50 people were arrested.

Authorities said that the police fired 700 blanks to disperse protesters east of the capital Nairobi.

Protesters hide behind a banner as police fire tear gas at them. Credit: AP

President Ruto previously described the protests as "treasonous" and vowed to quash the unrest “at whatever cost.”

The military was deployed overnight on Tuesday to support police.

There were no reports of violence on Wednesday, but civil society groups have reported abductions of people involved in recent protests and expect more to come.

Amnesty International Kenya has said it is investigating the whereabouts of up to 12 people who were "abducted in the middle of the night", ahead of planned protests.

Those who are believed to have been taken include bloggers, content creators, human rights defenders, a doctor, and a parliamentary staffer, Amnesty Kenya executive director Irũngũ Houghton told CNN.

What were people protesting about?

  • Finance Bill

The finance bill sparked massive protests as people became increasingly frustrated over concerns the bill would lead to higher taxes while they struggle with the lingering cost of living crisis.

The bill, part of the Kenyan's government efforts to raise an extra $2.7 billion in domestic revenue, was meant to increase or introduce taxes or fees on a range of daily items and services including internet data, fuel, bank transfers and diapers.

Some of these measures were stripped as frustrations grew.

The government said the changes are necessary to pay interest on the country's national debt, reduce the budget deficit and keep the government running. But protesters see the changes as punitive.

  • Youth-led protest

Young Kenyans have used social media to organise peaceful demonstrations to force politicians to end the finance bill.

These protests started on June 18 after the bill was made public and spread to several parts of Kenya.

One of the protesters, Auma Obama, the half-sister of former United States President Barack Obama, was teargassed by police during an interview with ITV News' US partner CNN on Tuesday while protesting against the bill.

“I can’t even see anymore, we’re being teargassed,” Ms Obama said in footage captured by the team on the ground.

Ms Obama, a Kenyan-British activist, was speaking to CNN’s Larry Madowo alongside a group of protesters when the group was teargassed in Nairobi.

  • The president is questioned

President William Ruto, now mocked by some as “Zakayo" named after the biblical tax collector Zacchaeus, has consistently urged Kenyans to pay their fair share of taxes.

Many Kenyans see his stance as aggressive and similar to a dictatorship that is out of sync with the reality of ordinary citizens.

Kenya's President William Ruto. Credit: AP

In 2023, after courts blocked some of his tax proposals, President Ruto threatened to ignore the rulings.

This prompted criticism from the Law Society of Kenya, whose leader accused Ruto of acting above the law.

Pro-democracy activists said Ruto's attacks on the judiciary demonstrated an authoritarian streak.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was deeply saddened by reports of deaths and injuries. “I urge the Kenyan authorities to exercise restraint, and call for all demonstrations to take place peacefully,” he wrote on X.

Protesters carry the body of a man who was shot. Credit: AP

Citizen TV, a local broadcaster, led a discussion titled “A Nation on the Brink” with panellists calling on the government to engage with the public.

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know...