Kenya’s Parliament Passes Controversial Finance Bill Amid Protests

Kenya’s national assembly has passed the contentious finance bill, a move that has sparked widespread outrage and persistent protests.

According to verified reports on Tuesday, lawmakers voted 195 to 106 in favor of the bill, with no abstentions recorded.

The passage of the bill comes after President William Ruto urged parliament to approve it last week, amidst mounting public dissent. 

The bill, although adopted with amendments, still retains some of the more controversial tax measures. 

Notably, lawmakers agreed to increase the rate of the railway development levy to 2.5 percent of customs value and 3.5 percent for the import declaration fee. 

However, taxes on bread, financial services, and motor vehicles were removed from the final version of the bill.

The bill now awaits President Ruto’s assent to become law. Despite expressing a willingness to engage in dialogue with the protesting youths, President Ruto has taken a firm stance following the escalation of demonstrations on Tuesday. 

He condemned the protests, stating that the discussions around the bill had been “hijacked by dangerous people,” and emphasised that the state would take comprehensive measures to address the situation.

The demonstrations have seen a dramatic and violent turn, with several deaths reported as police used live ammunition and tear gas to disperse the crowds in Nairobi. 

Eyewitnesses and reports indicate that Kenyan police also resorted to beating and arresting paramedics who were attempting to provide medical aid to injured protesters.

This latest development has intensified the debate around the finance bill and its implications for the country, highlighting the deep divisions and unrest among the Kenyan populace.