By Ebi Kesiena
President William Ruto has announced the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024, responding to widespread public opposition.
During an X-Space engagement with Kenyans on Friday, Ruto emphasized that the bill had been plagued by “falsehood and propaganda,” specifically denying any clauses related to increasing land rates and rents.
“Having reflected on the continuing conversation regarding the content of the Finance Bill 2024, and 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.
“Let me tell you, there is no single sentence in the Finance Bill that speaks to land rents and land issues,” he said.
Ruto also refuted claims that the bill included tax measures detrimental to cancer patients. “In fact, in this Finance Bill, we had allocated Sh2 million to support people with cancer, diabetes, and hypertension under our Universal Health Programme,” he explained.
He explained that the bill contained provisions aimed at job creation, including reducing imports of items like diapers and furniture that could be manufactured locally, emphasizing the potential for employment and support for Kenyan industries.
“We had said there is no need to import pampers, furniture from all manner of places when there are enough factories in Kenya to manufacture these products,” Ruto said.
Admitting to possible communication shortcomings, Ruto acknowledged that better public engagement might have mitigated the backlash. “I admit that maybe we didn’t do as much communication as we should have, and that is a regret I have admitted. But I am here to listen,” he said.
Heritage Times HT recalls that on June 26, Ruto announced his decision not to sign the contentious Finance Bill 2024, which had incited mass protests across the country, resulting in at least 23 reported deaths.
