Kenya's president on Wednesday withdrew planned tax rises, bowing to pressure from protesters who had stormed parliament, launched demonstrations across the country and threatened more action this week.
"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And therefore, I will not sign the 2024 finance bill, and it shall subsequently be withdrawn," he said in a televised address.
Thousands took to the streets of Nairobi and several other cities during two days of protests last week as an online movement gathered momentum.
Protests in Kenya have usually been called by political leaders who can be amenable to negotiated settlements.
Persons:
William Ruto, Ruto, Ruto's, Lawmakers
Organizations:
Wednesday, Kenyan, IMF, The Nation, Kenya Medical, Medical, Protesters, State, World Bank, International Monetary Fund
Locations:
Kenya, Eldoret, Nairobi