Summary:

• President William Ruto has declined to sign the Finance Bill, 2024 into law following significant protests in Kenya. On June 25, demonstrators breached Parliament premises for the first time in the country’s history. Ruto’s decision to return the Bill to Parliament is seen as an effort to ease rising tensions. In a June 26 address, he announced cuts to the operating budgets of the Presidency, the Executive, the Judiciary, Parliament, and County governments.

President William Ruto, responding to widespread protests, has declined to sign the Finance Bill, 2024 into law.

This decision comes in the wake of historic protests on June 25, during which demonstrators breached Parliament premises for the first time in Kenya’s history.

By sending the Bill back to Parliament, President Ruto aims to de-escalate the rising tensions following the countrywide demonstrations on Tuesday.

After being passed by MPs, the Finance Bill was submitted to the President for signing into law. Speaking from State House Nairobi on June 26, the President announced a directive to cut the operating budget of the Presidency and the entire Executive. Additionally, he recommended budget cuts for the Judiciary, Parliament, and County governments.