William Ruto, the Deputy President of Kenya, has made a bold move by recommending that all clauses of a controversial finance bill be deleted. He expressed his intention to engage in dialogue with Kenyan youth and implement austerity measures, starting with budget cuts to the presidency, to address the fiscal deficit. Although he called the recent loss of life due to protests unfortunate, he did not provide details about the dialogue with the youth.
The bill, which sparked nationwide protests, has faced criticism from citizens facing economic hardship and pressure from international lenders like the IMF. Despite Ruto’s concession, the situation remains tense as the country grapples with competing demands.
The protests, initially driven by concerns about proposed taxes on essential goods, evolved into a movement demanding the complete removal of the finance bill. The demonstrations spread across the country, leading to casualties and injuries.
While the protests were largely driven by young, tech-savvy Kenyans without official leadership, some opposition figures celebrated Ruto’s backtrack on the bill. The situation remains volatile as the country navigates economic challenges and political tensions.