Kenyan President William Ruto said Wednesday that a bill containing contentious tax hikes would "be withdrawn,” dramatically reversing course after more than 20 people died and parliament was ransacked by protesters opposed to the legislation.
But he warned that the withdrawal of the finance bill would mean a significant shortfall in funding for development programs designed to help farmers and schoolteachers, among others, as the East African nation struggles to lower its foreign debt burden.
"I concede and therefore I will not sign the 2024 finance bill and it shall subsequently be withdrawn," Ruto told a media briefing, adding: "The people have spoken."
(AFP)
