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NAIROBI, KENYA —Kenyan President William Ruto said Wednesday that he will not sign a controversial tax-hike bill into law, a day after protesters clashed with police in Nairobi and other cities, leaving at least 22 people dead.
In an address to the nation, Ruto said that after reflecting on the content of the bill and listening to the protesters, "I concede and therefore I will not sign the 2024 Finance Bill." He said the bill will be withdrawn.
Ruto spoke from the State House in the presence of lawmakers and thanked those who voted yes for the bill, which he defended. He presented his condolences to the families who lost loved ones during the protests.
Protests over the proposed tax increases turned violent in Nairobi Tuesday as demonstrators clashed outside parliament with police, who fired live ammunition after attempts to disperse the crowds with tear gas and rubber bullets failed.
Lawmakers approved the tax hikes on a 195-to-106 vote, then fled parliament as protesters evaded police and stormed the complex.
Late Tuesday evening, Ruto condemned protesters' storming of the parliament as treasonous and a threat to national security.
On Wednesday, the streets of Nairobi were calm and businesses were back to normal. Protesters had said they planned to camp out in front of the State House on Thursday but it was not clear if they would proceed now that the president has withdrawn the finance bill.