MOSCOW, June 26 Kenyan President William Ruto on Wednesday officially initiated the process of withdrawing the controversial finance bill, which provided for an increase in a number of taxes and caused mass protests throughout the country, the head of state submitted a corresponding memorandum to parliament, Citizen Digital reports.
Ruto has previously stated verbally that he will not sign the bill. The publication notes that the public has doubts whether the president has the constitutional authority to do this.
Protests in Kenya
The finance bill, which involves raising taxes in Kenya, caused massive protests among the population.
The finance bill, which involves raising taxes in Kenya, has caused massive protests from the population.
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Thousands of people took to the streets.
Thousands of people took to the streets.
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The police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse them.
The police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse them.
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Pictured: Kenyan security forces during a protest.
In the photo: Kenyan security forces during a protest.
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Parliamentarians allowed the bill to the third reading and will go on a two-week break from June 28.
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Parliamentarians allowed the bill to the third reading and will go on a two-week break from June 28.
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195 members of parliament voted for the adoption of the bill, 106 voted against.
195 members of parliament voted for the adoption of the bill, 106 voted against.
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Parliament is due to adopt the final version of the draft budget on June 30.
Parliament is due to adopt the final version of the draft budget on June 30.
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Local medical and community organizations have published a general report.
Local medical and public organizations published a general report.
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During the protests in different regions of the country, more than a hundred people were detained, and several hundred demonstrators were also injured.
During the protests in different regions of the country, more than a hundred people were detained, and several hundred demonstrators were also injured.
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In the photo: Kenyan police use water cannons to disperse the crowd.
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In the photo: Kenyan police use water cannons to disperse the crowd.
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During the unrest, arson was committed at the Nairobi City Council building.
During the unrest, arson was committed at the Nairobi City Council building.
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In the photo: protesters carry the body of a man shot dead during the riots.
Pictured: Protesters carry the body of a man shot dead during unrest.
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The Kenyan Red Cross reported attacks on ambulances from side of the protesters.
The Kenyan Red Cross reported attacks on ambulances by protesters.
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A finance bill that would increase taxes in Kenya has sparked massive public protests.
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Thousands of people took to the streets.
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The police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse them.
3 of 13Pictured: Kenyan security forces during a protest.
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Parliamentarians allowed the bill to the third reading and will go on a two-week break on June 28.
5 out of 13
195 members of parliament voted for the bill, 106 voted against.
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Parliament is due to adopt the final version of the draft budget on June 30.
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Local medical and community organizations have published a general report.
8 out of 13
During the protests in different regions of the country, more than a hundred people were detained, and several hundred demonstrators were also injured.
9 out of 13
In the photo: Kenyan police use water cannons to disperse the crowd.
10 of 13
During the unrest, arson was committed at the Nairobi City Council building.
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Pictured: Protesters carry the body of a man shot dead during unrest.
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The Kenyan Red Cross reported attacks on ambulances by protesters.
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“President William Ruto has presented a memorandum… formally initiating the process of withdrawing the controversial Finance Bill,” the publication writes.
For the bill to be completely withdrawn, Ruto’s memorandum, proposing a complete rejection of the document in its final form, must be approved by two-thirds of Parliament.
The death toll from Tuesday's protests against tax hikes in Kenya was reported to have risen to 23, with another 30 people in hospital.
A new wave of protests in Kenya over government plans to tax increases on a number of goods and services began in mid-June. Later, Agence France-Presse reported that amendments were made to the draft budget, according to which the introduction of a 16 percent value added tax on the purchase of bread, the transportation of sugar, the use of mobile and financial services, transactions with foreign currency, as well as the introduction of a tax of 2.5 % on motor vehicles and excise tax on vegetable oil. Ruto said the government was ready to start a dialogue with the protesters. Police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters.