Kenya's President says he won't sign finance bill that led to widespread protests

Kenyan President William Ruto said Wednesday he won't sign into law a finance bill proposing new taxes, a day after protesters stormed parliament and several people were shot de. It was biggest assault on Kenya's government in deces.

government wanted to raise funds to pay off debt, but Kenyans said bill caused more economic pain as millions struggle to get by. chaos on Tuesday led government to deploy military, and Ruto called protesters' actions “treasonous.” president now says bill caused “widespre dissatisfaction” and he has listened to people and “conceded.” It's a major setback for Ruto, who came to power vowing to help Kenyans cope with rising costs but has seen much of country unite in opposition to his latest attempt at reforms.

"It is necessary for us to have a conversation as a nation on how to do we manage affairs of country toger,” president said.

Kenyans faced lingering smell of tear gas and military in streets a day after latest protests saw thousands storm parliament, an act of defiance that Ruto called an “existential” threat. At least 22 people were killed, a human rights group said.

Ruto acknowledged deaths, calling it an "unfortunate situation,” and offered condolences.

capital, Nairobi, has seen protests in past, but activists and ors warned stakes are more dangerous. Ruto on Tuesday vowed to quash unrest “at whatever cost," even as more protests were called at State House on Thursday. Soldiers patrolled alongside police, who were accused of shooting several people de on Tuesday.

Kenyans united beyond tribal and or divisions in a youth-led effort to keep finance bill from becoming law. It would have raised taxes and fees on a range of daily items and services, from egg imports to bank transfers. government wanted revenue to pay off debt in East Africa's economic hub.

re were no reports of violence Wednesday, but re was fear. Civil society groups have reported abductions of people involved in recent protests and expect more to come.

“We are dealing with a new phenomenon and a group of people that is not predictable. If it would have been normal demonstrations, I'd say it will fizzle out with time, but we don't know wher se people will fear army,” said Herman Manyora, an analyst and professor at University of Nairobi.

He said Kenya's president missed an opportunity in his national dress Tuesday night to calm tensions and opt a more conciliatory approach.

“We expected him to appreciate gravity of issue and empathize with young people,” Manyora said. “Inste, people saw an angry president who is reing a riot act to nation.” Many young people who helped vote Ruto into power with cheers for his promises of economic relief now object to pain of reforms. Part of parliament building burned Tuesday, and clashes occurred in several communities beyond capital.

At least 22 people were killed, Kenya National Human Rights Commission said. Commission chairperson Roseline Odede told journalists that 300 ors were injured and 50 people were arrested.

mor of a teenager who was killed, Edith Wanjiku, told journalists at a morgue that police who shot her son should be arrested and charged with murder because her 19-year-old son h been unarmed.

“He h just completed school and was peacefully protesting,” she said.

Parliament, city hall and supreme court were cordoned off Wednesday with tape reing “Crime Scene Do Not Enter.” Authorities said police fired over 700 blanks to disperse protesters in Nairobi suburb of Githurai overnight. Videos of gunfire were shared online.

“My plea to president is to listen to us and understand that this financial bill y want to pass is not as important as people's lives,” said one Nairobi businessman, Gideon Hamisi. "Many young people lost ir lives yesterday. I am a young man, and I feel deeply pained by what transpired.” Opposition leer Raila Odinga condemned killing of protesters and “brute force” of authorities and called for dialogue, asserting that Kenya's constitution h been suspended.

“Kenya cannot afford to kill its children just because children are asking for food, jobs and a listening ear,” Odinga said in a statement.

In Nairobi, a regional hub for expatriates and home to a United Nations complex, inequality among Kenyans has sharpened along with long-held frustrations over state corruption. booming young population is also frustrated by lavish lifestyles of politicians including president. Some who h passionately supported Ruto, who won presidency by portraying himself as a “hustler” of humble background, feel betrayed.

youth, commonly referred to as Gen Zs, mobilized protests and h sought to keep lawmakers from approving finance bill. Ruto h h two weeks to sign bill into law.

events are a sharp turn for Ruto, who has been embraced by United States as a welcome partner in Africa while frustration grows elsewhere on continent with U.S. and some or Western powers.

In May, Ruto went to Washington in first state visit by an African leer in 16 years. On Tuesday, as protests exploded, U.S designated Kenya as its first major non-NATO ally in sub-Saharan Africa, a largely symbolic act but one highlighting ir strong security partnership. Also Tuesday, hundreds of Kenyan police deployed to le a multinational force against gangs in Haiti, an initiative that brought thanks from US President Joe Biden.

Now Kenya's president and his government — along with protesters — face pleas for calm and pressure from partners including U.S., which joined a dozen or nations in a statement Tuesday expressing “deep concern” over violence and abductions.

“Let's reason toger," Daily Nation's front page said.