MBABANE:Kenyan President William Ruto has announced the withdrawal of the controversial Finance Bill that seeks to increase taxes amid deadly protests in the East African country, CNN reported on Wednesday.
The protests that resulted to the death of at least twenty-three(23), people came in the midst of escalating costs of basic commodities in Kenya,President Ruto’s Government was seeking to increase taxes amid the poverty situation.
“Having reflected on the continuing conversation regarding the content of the Finance Bill 2024, and listening keenly to the people of Kenya who have said loudly that they want nothing to do with this Finance Bill 2024, I concede, and therefore I will not sign the 2024 Finance Bill,” President Ruto said during a television address Wednesday as quoted by CNN.
On another note,human rights defender Velaphi Mamba told this Swaziland News on Wednesday that, eSwatini might face similar protests amid the escalating costs of basic commodities.
“The Government of Kenya was seeking to increase tax on basic commodities and these protests might erupt even eSwatini as a majority of emaSwati are poor and broke while the costs of living remain high”, he said.
Source: CNN-Kenyan President William Ruto withdraws controversial Finance Bill seeking to increase taxes amid deadly protests