President Ruto refuses to sign tax bill, seeks changes

Kenya's President William Ruto has refused to sign the newly controversial finance bill.
Deadly protests erupted after lawmakers approved tax increases aimed at generating $2.7 billion
Police opened fire on crowds gathered around parliament, leading to violent clashes across the country

State House sources told Kenya's Star newspaper that the Bill will be sent back to Parliament before they break for recess today. Ruto has also proposed a raft of amendments to the Bill which the MPs will have to consider.

On Tuesday, police opened fire on crowds gathered around parliament, who later breached the parliament buildings just minutes after lawmakers had approved tax increases aimed at generating an additional $2.7 billion.

Kenyan protesters vowed on Wednesday to continue their demonstrations against new tax hikes, a day after violent clashes outside parliament and across the country left at least 23 people dead and many more wounded.

Some of the tax proposals originally introduced in the bill included a 16% VAT on bread, an excise duty on vegetable oil, VAT on the transportation of sugar, a 2.5% motor vehicle tax, and an eco levy on locally manufactured products.

However, these proposals have since been dropped following widespread discontent from citizens.