Fresh Protests Loom as Activists Reject Kenya's Finance Bill, Demand Ruto's Exit
Protesters Gear Up Against Ruto's Govt, Demand Rejection of Controversial Finance Bill
Kenyan protesters demand President William Ruto's resignation and rejection of controversial finance bill, despite reversal on tax hikes. Activists gear up for nationwide strikes and protests, citing government's slow response and violent crackdown. Youth-led movement demands economic relief and end to policies hurting the vulnerable.
Kenyan activists are gearing up for a new wave of protests, strikes, and sit-ins, demanding President William Ruto's resignation after nationwide demonstrations forced him to backtrack on proposed tax hikes. Despite Ruto's reversal, activists remain unsatisfied, citing the government's slow response to their concerns and the violent crackdown on protesters.
On June 26, Ruto William refused to sign the controversial finance bill, which had sparked deadly protests across the country, and returned it to parliament for revisions. The government had sought to raise funds to pay off debt, but citizens argued that the bill would exacerbate economic hardship for millions.
The previous day's turmoil saw the government deploy the military, with Ruto labeling the protesters' actions treasonous. At least two more people were killed, and seven others sustained gunshot wounds during smaller demonstrations in several major towns and cities on June 28, as the army was deployed to support the police.
For some protesters, Ruto's eventual reversal came too late. A widely shared pamphlet on June 29 called for seven days of activism, including nationwide strikes and the blocking of major roads on July 2 and July 4. The pamphlet has been circulating on social media, garnering support and momentum for the planned protests.
Activists are determined to keep the pressure on the government, demanding not only the rejection of the finance bill but also Ruto's resignation. The planned protests and strikes are expected to bring the country to a standstill, as citizens continue to push for economic relief and an end to government policies they say are hurting the most vulnerable.
“He has proven himself unfit as a Kenyan and failed his constitutional mandate to protect the Kenyan people,” read the document, with the popular hashtag #RUTOMUSTGO.
“We will not relent until William Ruto unconditionally resigns.”
President William Ruto is now facing the biggest challenge to his two-year presidency as a youth-led protest movement, which began as online criticism of tax hikes, has rapidly grown into mass demonstrations demanding his removal from office. This comes as a stark contrast to his election campaign nearly two years ago, where he promised to prioritize the needs of low-income workers and champion their causes.
President William Ruto's administration is currently grappling with conflicting demands from international lenders, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which are pushing for deficit reduction to secure additional funding, and the pressing needs of a population struggling to make ends meet.
Elected in 2022 on a promise to improve the lives of the poor, President Ruto's government introduced a controversial bill in 2023 aimed at implementing a housing tax and increasing the top personal income tax rate. This move ignited widespread outrage, sparked street protests, and prompted legal challenges, putting the government under intense pressure.
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