Despite the announcement of the withdrawal of the finance law contested by demonstrations for several days, Kenyans are preparing to take to the streets this Thursday for a white march. Early this Thursday, residents of the capital reported an impressive security system with the presence of soldiers deployed by the president and the flight over the capital Nairobi by helicopters. “My neighborhood is relatively quiet this morning, there isn’t too much noise. Apart from those of the helicopters which pass, testifies a resident. We are worried because after Parliament on Tuesday, demonstrators are now threatening to occupy the presidency. »
Kenyan President William Ruto announced on Wednesday June 26 the withdrawal of the draft budget which provided for an increase in taxes. “Having listened carefully to the people of Kenya, who have said loud and clear that they want nothing to do with this 2024 Finance Bill, I bow down and will not sign the 2024 Finance Bill into law, which will therefore be withdrawn »William Ruto said in a speech the day after a day of protests against the bill that left 22 people dead, according to the official human rights watchdog (KNHRC).
“Following the passage of the bill, the country witnessed widespread expression of dissatisfaction with the bill as passed, which unfortunately resulted in loss of life and destruction Goods “added the Kenyan head of state.
Call for calm and dialogue from Catholic bishops
The unprecedented protest movement led by youth, which swept the country in less than two weeks and took power by surprise, emerged shortly after the presentation to Parliament on June 13 of the 2024-2025 budget, notably providing for a VAT of 16% on bread and an annual tax of 2.5% on private vehicles.
If previous days of mobilization demanding the withdrawal of these new taxes took place calmly, Tuesday’s demonstration near the complex housing the National Assembly and the Senate, some buildings of which were set on fire and ransacked, turned into a disaster. of blood.
A call for calm and restraint was launched on Tuesday June 25 by the bishops of Kenya, at the end of this day of chaos. “As we seek justice for a fair tax system, let us do so by peaceful means, both by citizens and by government,” they recommended in a statement released at the end of the day.
The episcopate thus said “saddened” by the fact that legal demonstrations degenerated into violent conflict, causing, according to several sources, at least thirteen deaths and around thirty injured. “We urge the police not to shoot at protesters. Being a police officer does not give you the right to take the lives of innocent people, hammered the Catholic bishops of Kenya, calling « also young people to remain peaceful.”
“A Conversation as a Nation”
Considering that “that some of (their) important suggestions » relating to the finance bill « n’have not been taken into account, the episcopate had thus called “lawmakers to be guided by their conscience in considering this bill and in the interest of Kenyans.”
In his speech on Wednesday, the Kenyan president called on demonstrators to dialogue to find a solution to the country’s debt which reached a historic level of 10.1 trillion shillings (64.1 billion euros) last year. , representing 62.43% of GDP.
“Since we got rid of the 2024 Finance Bill, there is a need to have a conversation as a nation going forward. (…) How can we manage our debt situation together? (…) I will propose an engagement with the young people of our nation, our sons and our daughters”he said.
