The President while speaking to the press at State House, announced the change of heart and gave options on how Kenya could raise funds in the coming financial years.
Ruto added that his administration had heard the cry of the citizens who were urging him to drop the bill and reduce the cost of living.
“Having reflected keenly on the conversation surrounding the bill and listening to the people of Kenya who have said they want nothing to do with the bill. I concede and therefore I will not sign the bill. It will be subsequently withdrawn and that becomes our position,” he stated.
He proposed that since Kenya has gotten rid of the bill, the country should have a conversation going forward on how to manage the affairs of the country together.The Head of State explained that the bill was aimed at increasing the country’s revenue adding that Kenya was burdened by debt.
He added that the revenue raised through the bill would be used to subsidize fertiliser, pay Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) teachers, finance the last mile connectivity project, operationalise the Universal Health Coverage plan, and pay coffee and sugar cane farmers among other government projects.Ruto added that going forward, his administration would incorporate young Kenyans to draft ways to raise revenue.
This move comes amid ongoing protests against the finance bill, with Kenyans calling for its complete withdrawal by the government. The protests staged by young Kenyans garnered international attention with some international leaders calling upon the government to listen.
Additionally, these protests which began last week have resulted in the loss of several Kenyans, destruction of property and multiple injuries.
Kenyans had opposed the controversial bill adding that it would result in an increase in the cost of basic commodities and asked the government to seek alternative channels to collect taxes.Furthermore, Kenyans complained that the government was poorly managing the billions of taxes collected and it was therefore unreasonable to overtax the majority of Kenyans who are struggling to make ends meet.
On the deaths and injuries, the President sent condolence messages to all those who lost their lives.
“I send my condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this very unfortunate manner. Six people to be exact lost their lives yesterday, that should not have happened, There will be a framework to ensure those six are accounted for,” he stated.
