This Has Been Kenya’s Largest Protests Since 2022 Election Culminate in Parliament Building Burning
Kenya’s President William Ruto announced the withdrawal of a controversial finance bill that proposed tax hikes after violent protests culminated in the burning of the parliament building. In a national address, he acknowledged the public’s rejection of the bill, stating, “I concede,” and pledged not to sign it into law. The protests, the largest since his election in 2022, resulted in at least 22 deaths, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNHRC).
President Ruto expressed his intent to engage in dialogue with the young protesters who led the demonstrations. On Thursday, police were deployed across Nairobi, particularly around State House, amidst social media calls for a march to the president’s residence. However, some protest leaders warned against this due to the potential for more violence. Initially aimed at preventing the bill’s enactment, the protests have evolved, with some now demanding Ruto’s resignation under the slogan “Ruto must go.”
Despite nationwide demonstrations, parliament passed the bill on Tuesday. Protesters responded by storming the parliament, vandalizing its interior, and setting parts of the complex on fire, including stealing the ceremonial mace. In his initial reaction, Ruto ordered military deployment, stating that “violence and anarchy” would not be tolerated. However, he later rescinded the bill following the public outcry.
“Ruto bows to Gen Z pressure, withdraws Finance Bill,” reported Kenya’s Citizen TV. In his second address within 24 hours, Ruto detailed the rationale behind the tax increases, explaining they were part of efforts to address Kenya’s $80 billion debt burden, which consumes more than half of the country’s annual tax revenues. He claimed the bill would have benefited farmers, students, and teachers but acknowledged, “I also lead people, and the people have spoken.”
Despite Ruto’s concession, plans for further protests continued. Ruto, who narrowly won the 2022 election with 50.5% of the vote against Raila Odinga’s 48.8%, campaigned as a “hustler” challenging the political dominance of the Odinga and Kenyatta families. He promised a “bottom-up” economic approach to tackle high youth unemployment and improve living standards for the less privileged.