Kenyan police fired teargas at dozens of protesters as demonstrations continued across the country on Thursday (June 27), albeit at a smaller scale than before Kenyan President William Ruto promised to scrap a controversial finance bill.

Nairobi

Kenyan President William Ruto's decision to revoke proposed tax hikes has not entirely quelled public dissent, as protests continue across the country. Police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators and block access to the presidential palace. Despite a decrease in turnout compared to previous mass rallies, individuals like Beryl Nalima in Mombasa remain committed to ensuring their voices are heard. 

Recent clashes resulted in at least 23 deaths and 30 injuries, according to the Kenya Medical Association. Protesters even stormed and set fire to the parliament at one point. Ruto defended his earlier tax proposals, citing the need to address Kenya's debt, but acknowledged the public's rejection of the bill and vowed not to sign it into law.

Ruto now intends to engage in dialogue with Kenyan youth and implement budget cuts in the presidency. Despite his concessions, some protesters demand his resignation and plan to continue demonstrating.



Kenya protests continue after president's tax climbdown

Kenya's President William Ruto may have backed down on proposed tax hikes, but that didn't keep some protesters off the streets on Thursday. Kenyan police fired tear gas at dozens of protesters and blocked off streets leading to the presidential palace, as demonstrations continued in several cities. Turnout was well down from the height of mass rallies over the past week that were sparked by a contentious finance bill. But some, like Beryl Nalima in Mombasa, have vowed to keep going. We are only coming here so that our voice can be heard. Us as Gen Zs, us as Kenyans, we are one. So the police should stop killing us. At least 23 people were killed in clashes on Tuesday, according to the Kenya Medical Association, and 30 were being treated for bullet wounds. In chaotic scenes, parliament was briefly stormed by protesters and set alight. On Wednesday, Ruto defended his push to raise taxes on items such as bread, cooking oil and diapers, saying it was justified by the need to cut Kenya's high debt burden. But he also acknowledged that the public had overwhelmingly rejected the finance bill and said he would not sign it into law. Ruto said he would now start a dialogue with Kenyan youth and work on austerity measures beginning with cuts to the budget of the presidency. That's as he grapples with what is the most serious crisis of his two-year presidency. And while some protesters said they would not demonstrate on Thursday as the finance bill had been scrapped, others have vowed to press on, saying they'll only be satisfied by Ruto's resignation.

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