Emmanuel OchayiPresident William Ruto Makes Major Budget Cuts Amid Anti-tax Protests
Kenyan President, William Ruto, has taken significant steps to address the Kenya anti-tax protest by scrapping budgets for the offices of the First and Second Ladies and dissolving 47 state agencies.
The President made this announcement during a broadcast on Friday, apologising to protesters who have been clashing with security agents on the streets for the past three weeks.
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In his address, President Ruto stated, “Budget lines providing for the operations of the offices of the First Lady, the spouses of the Deputy President, and the Prime Cabinet Secretary shall be removed.”
This move is part of a broader effort to cut government expenditure and pacify dissatisfied youths protesting against a controversial finance bill aimed at increasing taxes.
Ruto also announced the suspension of non-essential travel for government officials and workers, the halt of new vehicle purchases, and a reduction of his advisers by half.
“We must take these drastic measures to reduce our expenditure and address the concerns of the people,” Ruto added.
Background of the Protests
The Kenya anti-tax protest erupted in Nairobi three weeks ago in response to a finance bill that sought to increase taxes. The protests have since expanded into broader discontent with President Ruto’s leadership and accusations of police brutality.
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Human rights groups claim that 39 protesters have been killed by security forces, with the most brutal crackdown occurring last Tuesday after the parliament passed the bill.
Protesters Demand More
Despite Ruto withdrawing the finance bill, the protests have not ceased. The demonstrators are now demanding the President’s resignation. ”
We have had enough. We need a leader who listens to the people,” said Mary Wanjiku, one of the protest leaders.
Unrest Spreads Beyond Nairobi
The unrest has spread beyond Nairobi, with demonstrations erupting in major cities like Mombasa and Kisumu.
Local business owner John Odhiambo from Kisumu said, “This is not just about the tax bill anymore. We are tired of the corruption and mismanagement.”
Government Response to the Protests
The Kenyan government has responded to the Kenya anti-tax protest with a mixture of concessions and crackdowns. President Ruto’s apology and budget cuts are seen as attempts to pacify the demonstrators.
However, the heavy-handed approach of security forces has been widely criticised. “We call for an end to the violence against peaceful protesters,” said a spokesperson for Human Rights Watch.
Looking Forward
The Kenya anti-tax protest continues to pose a significant challenge to President Ruto’s administration.
The government’s ability to address the underlying issues of economic hardship and governance will be crucial in resolving the current unrest.
As the protests show no signs of abating, the eyes of the nation and the international community remain on Kenya’s leadership and their next steps in this unfolding crisis.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
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