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In a major win for the Kenyan youth who have been protesting against the administration of William Ruto, the president finally announced he will not sign the controversial finance bill that sparked widespread protests over rising costs. Speaking in a televised address on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, Ruto said, “I concede and therefore I will not sign the 2024 finance bill, and it shall subsequently be withdrawn. The people have spoken.”
Ruto promised to start a dialogue with Kenyan youth and implement austerity measures, including budget cuts to the presidency, to address the country’s financial issues. This decision followed violent protests where dozens were reported killed, and many others wounded as police clashed with demonstrators.
The protests began online and quickly grew into mass rallies demanding political change, marking the most serious crisis of Ruto’s two-year presidency. Even after the withdrawal of the finance bill, activists called for new protests, urging demonstrators to return to the streets peacefully to honor those killed. “You cannot kill all of us. Tomorrow we march peacefully again as we wear white, for all our fallen people,” posted Hanifa Adan, a prominent youth protest organizer, on X.
Initially peaceful, the protests escalated on Tuesday when Parliament passed the bill, leading to clashes with police using tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets. Reports of live rounds being fired led protesters to storm Parliament, which was set ablaze. Ruto then deployed the military.
There is confusion over the death toll, with unconfirmed reports quoting the Kenya Medical Association stating at least 23 people were killed, and 30 more were treated for bullet wounds. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported 22 deaths and announced plans to launch an inquiry. Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi treated 160 people for injuries, including bullet wounds. Social media claims also reported multiple deaths in Githurai, with police stating they fired over 700 blank rounds overnight to disperse protesters.
Looting and fires were reported in Nairobi and other counties, including Eldoret, a stronghold of Ruto. Ruto, who took office in 2022 pledging to reduce living costs, had argued the tax increases were necessary to reduce reliance on foreign debt, which is about 70% of the GDP.
National Dialogue on Youth Concerns
In response to the unrest, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei announced on Saturday that the government would start a national dialogue to address youth concerns. Koskei invited national-level youth organizations, civil society, religious groups, professional bodies, business communities, academia, student leaders, and other stakeholders to nominate representatives for the National Steering Committee of the National Multi-Sectoral Forum (NMSF).
The committee, consisting of 100 members, will provide a framework for nationwide dialogue on issues such as jobs, tax policy, national debt, representation, accountability, and anti-corruption measures. “Each umbrella body is requested to nominate two representatives of either gender for consideration to the NSC,” Koskei stated.
However, engaging the leaderless and opinionated youth who spearheaded the anti-Finance Bill protests poses a challenge. Unlike organized groups, these young people coordinate through online platforms like Twitter (now X). On Thursday, they gathered on Twitter Space and dismissed the president’s calls for engagement. “Which engagement is he talking about? We are not interested. Let him be reminded that we are fearless,” said one speaker.
National Cohesion and Integration Commission commissioner Danvas Makori advised President Ruto to engage with the youth on their platforms. Thirdway Alliance Party’s Ekuru Aukot criticized the president’s calls for talks as a hoax, urging action on issues such as corruption, over-taxation, extrajudicial killings, and government wastage. “Our government has become a puppet of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank,” Aukot added.
Ruto Promises to Curb Government Extravagance
President William Ruto has pledged to address the lavish lifestyles of some state officials, especially Cabinet Secretaries and Members of Parliament. During a media interview at State House on Sunday, the President assured Kenyans of imminent changes aimed at reducing government spending and eliminating unconstitutional offices.
“I promise you, watch this space. Going forward, you will see changes because we must do something about opulence and extravagance. We are going to take measures that will put us in the right place,” Ruto said.
He emphasized that offices such as those of the Chief Administrative Secretaries (CASs) and the First Lady will be abolished starting Monday to cut down on expenses. “Offices such as that of the First Lady have existed before, but from tomorrow we are going to do away with that and other offices so that we can check our spending. On CASs, the court declared themselves on that and we have respected that. We are not going to appoint any CAS until our economy can sustain that,” he added.
President Ruto was addressing concerns about government officials flaunting wealth, wearing flashy clothes, and carrying large sums of money to harambees (fundraisers). He revealed discussions with UDA MPs about ending harambees, particularly in churches.
“We are actually going to do away with harambees because when a junior state officer donates Ksh20 million in a harambee, there is something fundamentally wrong. That is wrong,” Ruto asserted.
The President’s remarks come amid criticism of MPs like Kapseret’s Oscar Sudi, who has been seen distributing millions of shillings at church fundraisers.
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