Kenya President Ruto Pulls Back on Controversial Finance Bill 2024
In a significant victory for protesting Kenyans, President William Ruto has declined to sign the controversial 2024 Finance Bill, sending it back to Parliament for further consideration.
The bill, which was passed by Parliament on Tuesday, had been met with widespread opposition from citizens, opposition lawmakers, and civil society. For instance, the betting industry would have faced a 20% excise duty if the President had signed the 2024 Finance Bill into law.
By returning the bill, Ruto has effectively vetoed the legislation, forcing Parliament to decide whether to amend it to address his concerns, abandon it, or attempt to pass it again. This move comes after the President condemned the protests against the bill on Tuesday, which resulted in eight deaths, describing the events as “treasonous” and calling on security forces to restore calm. Ruto Finance Bill 2024
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The decision is seen as a significant concession by Ruto, who had been expected to sign the bill despite opposition from many Kenyans. The bill had been supported by most of the MPs affiliated with his ruling coalition, with 195 MPs voting in favor of it and 104 opposition MPs voting against.
The protests against the bill have been ongoing, with plans for further demonstrations scheduled for Thursday across the country. The bill had proposed taxes on essential commodities such as edible oil and sanitary pads, sparking widespread outrage among Kenyans.
It is unclear when Parliament will reconvene to discuss the bill again, but with the legislature set to be out of session next month, it is likely that any further action will be taken later. The move could be seen as an attempt by Ruto to de-escalate tension ahead of the planned protests and potentially reduce violence.
