NAIROBI, Kenya- President William Ruto has declined to sign the Financial Bill 2024, after deadly protests that claimed tens of lives across the country and left many others injured.
He made the announcement while in the company of legislators who passed the bill amidst public uproar.
“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with this Finance Bill 2024, I concede and therefore I will not sign the 2024 Finance Bill and it shall subsequently be withdrawn,” the President said.
This was the second time he was addressing the country after the skirmishes that saw protestors occupy Parliament.
“In this regard, I direct immediate further austerity measures to reduce expenditure, starting with the Executive Office of the President and extending to the entire executive arm of Government,” he said.
“I direct that operational expenditure in the Presidency be reduced to remove allocations for the confidential
vote, reduce travel budget, hospitality and purchase of motor vehicles, renovations and other expenditures.”
