Kenyan President Ruto Withdraws Controversial Finance Bill Following Deadly Protests

In response to deadly protests in Kenya, President William Ruto has announced the withdrawal of a contentious finance bill that proposed increased taxes, after a day of violent demonstrations in Nairobi and other cities resulted in the death of at least 22 people. The protests saw participants breaking into Parliament, vandalizing its interior, and setting parts of the complex on fire. Despite the bill’s withdrawal, concerns remain about the government’s use of excessive force during the protests, and the death toll is expected to rise. Human rights organizations and citizens alike have criticized the government’s actions and highlighted the suffering caused by the situation. This incident underscores ongoing tensions and the demand for governmental accountability and reform in Kenya.

• President William Ruto decided not to sign the controversial finance bill into law following violent protests that led to the death of at least 22 people.
• Protesters in Nairobi and other cities expressed their anger over the proposed tax increases by vandalizing and setting fire to parts of the Parliament building.
• The Kenyan Human Rights Commission anticipates the death toll from the protests may increase further.
• Despite the withdrawal of the finance bill, many employees and citizens support the continuation of protests, citing ongoing suffering and economic strain.
• Human rights organizations have condemned the excessive force used by police during the protests and criticized attempts to deflect blame for the violence.
• Activists in Kenya are expected to continue demonstrations, signaling persistent unrest and calls for change.
• The government’s response to the protests and its handling of the finance bill crisis have been met with widespread criticism, highlighting the broader issues of governance and public trust in Kenya.

France 24 is an international television network and news website owned by the French state.

Official website: https://www.france24.com/en/

Original video here.

This summary has been generated by AI.