Kenyan President William Ruto announced today that he will not sign into law a tax increase a day after riots in which protesters stormed the parliament building and left at least 22 people dead.
The government wanted to use new taxes to raise funds to pay off the country's debts, but Kenyans said that would cause even greater economic hardship, as millions are still struggling to survive.
Because of the riots on Tuesday, the government called in the army for help, and Ruto called the protesters' actions treacherous. Soldiers patrolled alongside police, who are accused of killing several people on Tuesday.
The president now says that the bill caused "general dissatisfaction" and that he listened to the citizens and "agreed".
It is a major setback for Ruto, who came to power promising to help Kenyans deal with rising costs.
Kenyans united across tribal and other divisions and under the leadership of the youth to prevent the passage of the law. The law would increase taxes and fees on a range of everyday items and services, from egg imports to bank transfers. Part of the parliament building burned on Tuesday, and clashes also took place in several places outside the capital.
There was no violence today, but there was fear. Civil society organizations have reported kidnappings of people involved in recent protests and expect more to come.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga condemned the killing of protesters and the brute force of the authorities and called for dialogue.
In Nairobi, inequality among Kenyans has worsened and frustrations over corruption have grown. The young population is outraged by the lavish lifestyle of politicians, including the president. Some who were passionate supporters of Ruto feel betrayed.
Young people, commonly referred to as Generation Z, are the main driving force behind the protests, and they sought to prevent lawmakers from approving the law.
Now the Kenyan president and his government, along with the protesters, are facing pleas for peace and pressure from partners including the US, which has joined the appeal of a dozen other countries in expressing deep concern about the violence and kidnappings.
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