Following the protests against the tax increase bill in Kenya, in which 22 people lost their lives, Kenyan President William Ruto took a step back. In his address to the nation today, Ruto stated that they paid off the Eurobond debt of $2 billion that Kenya received in 2014 and said, “We paid the last installment of $500 million last week. “Today, Kenya’s debt burden is much less, it is more sustainable, and we are on track to rescue our country from debt distress and defend our sovereignty,” he said.
“I LEAD THE PEOPLE”
Referring to the protests, Ruto said, “We saw that the people insisted that we should make more concessions. “I am running a government, but I am also leading a people and the people have spoken,” he said.
“I WILL NOT SIGN THE BILL”
Adding that he was grateful to all members of the National Assembly who voted for the bill on Tuesday, Kenyan President Ruto said that the protests held across the country after the bill was passed changed things. Ruto stated that he took into consideration the public’s reaction to the bill and said, “I will not sign the bill.” Ruto also added that parliament, the judiciary and state governments have also recommended budget cuts and austerity, respecting the people’s message.
Answering the questions of members of the press, Ruto said, “214 Kenyan citizens were involved in the incidents and most of them were hospitalized, 95 of them were discharged upon completion of their treatment. “I think one person is still in intensive care and 14 people are still in the hospital,” he said.
Source: UAV
