Kenya's President Ruto Withdraws Finance Bill Amidst Protests and Tragedy.

Following tragic protests that resulted in the parliament being set on fire on Tuesday, June 25, Kenya's President William Ruto has declared that he will withdraw a finance measure that included contentious tax increases.

He declared in a speech to the country that Kenyans "want nothing" to do with the measure: "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"And therefore, I will not sign the 2024 Finance Bill, and it shall subsequently be withdrawn. The people have spoken.” 

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, which is supported by the state, reports that at least 22 individuals lost their lives during Tuesday's protests (KNHRC).

Mr. Ruto declared that he will now start having conversations with the youth, who led the largest demonstrations to occur in the nation since his election in 2022.

Tuesday's parliamentary vote on the bill was held in spite of widespread opposition.

Demonstrators stormed the parliament, looting the interior and setting fire to portions of the building. The ceremonial mace—a representation of the legislature's power—was taken.

In an initial act of disobedience, Mr. Ruto ordered the military to be sent in, declaring that "violence and anarchy" would not be allowed.

However, he changed his mind on Wednesday as the public's outrage over the demonstrators' deaths intensified.

The head of the International Society for Human Rights, Wanjeri Nderu, told the BBC that the protest felt "like we were at war" and that police had been using live bullets even before a breach of parliament.

In addition, Catholic bishops called for protesters to maintain their peaceful protests and "earnestly appealed to the police not to shoot at the protesters," denouncing the acts of the security forces.

Having received information that soldiers were engaging protesters, in parliament, the Law Society of Kenya appealed to foreign criminal investigators to assist families in their pursuit of justice.

The news of fatalities and injuries, including those of journalists and medical staff, linked to rallies and street demonstrations in Kenya "deeply saddened" UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

He further advised "exercise restraint" on the part of the Kenyan government and demanded that any protests remain nonviolent.