Kenyan President William Ruto has announced he will withdraw a finance bill containing controversial tax hikes after deadly protests that saw parliament set ablaze on Tuesday.
In a speech to the nation, he said it was clear that Kenyans “want nothing” to do with the bill.
“I admit it,” he said, adding that he would not sign the bill.
At least 22 people were killed during Tuesday’s protests, according to the state-funded Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNHRC).
Mr Ruto said he would now begin a dialogue with young people, who were at the forefront of the biggest protests to hit the country since his election in 2022.
The bill was passed by parliament on Tuesday, despite nationwide protests against it.
Protesters broke into Parliament, vandalizing the interior and setting fire to parts of the complex. The ceremonial mace, symbolizing the authority of the legislative branch, was stolen.
Mr Ruto initially responded defiantly.
He ordered the deployment of the army, saying “violence and anarchy” would not be tolerated.
But he gave it up on Wednesday, following an extraordinary display of popular power.
“Ruto gives in to pressure from Generation Z and withdraws the finance bill,” headlined Kenyan television Citizen TV.
In his second address to the nation in less than 24 hours, Mr Ruto set out very clearly why he believed the tax increases were necessary.
The proposed legislation was part of efforts to reduce the country’s massive debt burden of more than $80 billion (£63 billion), servicing which costs the country more than half of its annual tax revenue.
Mr Ruto added that his government had made progress and was on track to “assert its sovereignty” by repaying its debts.
He said the arrangements would have benefited farmers, students and teachers, but admitted the public was not behind him.
“I also lead people,” he said, “and the people have spoken. »
It is unclear how his fall will affect plans to resume protests, which were largely organized through social media, on Thursday.
Discussions on social media suggest this would continue.
The stated goal of the protests was to force the president not to sign the bill.
But protesters began demanding his resignation, with the slogan “Ruto must go”.
Mr Ruto was elected president in 2022, narrowly beating his main rival Raila Odinga.
He won 50.5% of the vote, compared to 48.8% for Mr Odinga.
Mr Ruto won after portraying himself as a “hustler” who challenged the bid by two dynasties – the Odingas and the Kenyattas – to cling to power.
He promised a “bottom-up” approach to the economy to tackle high youth unemployment and improve the lives of the less well-off.
