‘The people have spoken’: Why did Kenya’s Ruto reject tax bill he pushed?

While there's still tension in Kenya following the violent protests over the tax bill, some analysts say there's little President Ruto can do to appease a new generation who accuse him of being a member of Kenya's old political guard.
Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford reports.
Reginald Kadzutu, an associate lecturer at Oxford Brookes University and a financial economist, spoke to Al Jazeera about Ruto’s options.
He said the president’s options are “narrowing by the day”, with the protests damaging an image he has attempted to curate for himself over the years with frequent trips and photo ops.
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#Kenya #Nairobi #RejectEntireFinanceBill2024 #RejectFinanceBill2024 #WilliamRuto #RutoMustResign #RevolutionKE #GenZ #TotalShutdownKE #RutoMustGo #FreeShad #KenyaTaxHikes #KenyaProtests #KenyaUnrest

[@Sparxx74]

THAT REPORTER WAS ABSOLUTELY ACCURATE .....RUTO IS A PATHOLOGICAL LIAR

[@Hannestv4607]

True love = the love of God! *God himself went to the cross for you out of love for you as a human being* Philippians 2:5-8

[@African_Views]

Ruto is a threat to Kenya and Africa

[@thereisonlyone6357]

Worst Ethiopia prime minister is a threat to the Ethiopian people and Africa. Over 1 million people in Northern Ethiopia has died because of him.

[@irenemumbi6560]

True

[@adamjin777]

When he is not flying he is lying

[@adanadin1851]

And some time he do both

[@MusehanaH]

@adamjin777, cute comment 😄

[@mutongoria]

The demonstrations kept him Kenya. He will leave and visit again.

[@jamalboomworld]

haha that ryhmes.

[@SB-rw7oq]

LOL Right? ​@@adanadin1851

[@lassmenthryce8546]

We stand with Kenya love from Zimbabwe 🇿🇼

[@hopes9451]

You need to start fixing your country too, stop standing with others on the side of the road for a minute; go fix Zimbabwe.

[@jeffmwemagk]

Thank you. We Kenyans wish Zimbabwe all the best. Arise!

[@suspiciousafternoon]

just today a young kid in Rongai was killed another in Nakuru has 7 gun shot wounds. it's not just about the tax bill. He's a narcissist and a pathological liar

[@user-sc8ek9qj5o]

Ruto is a colonial sell out period

[@PhilaTsavo]

He has even allowed the same NATO being kicked out of West Africa to open bases in Kenya.

[@mbithamarifa3376]

The reporter just called him Ruto mashamba 😂😂😂

[@styleemusic]

Kudos to Al Jazeera for spreading the real truth about him.

[@LuzEmiliaSanchez-cz5si]

Justice for Kenya and for all oppressed peoples whose human rights are violated

[@nabilfeisal3848]

No one reports him better than Aljazeera.

[@majestymaurice3239]

East Africa stands with our brother Kenya 😢 We pray that the people get justice. 🇺🇬

[@dr.stellajefferies3049]

Get him out immediately

[@patrickmurunga4820]

ICC should call him

[@kerenkanzemwarabu]

A 15 year old was shot 8 times !!!! 8 times. There are over 250 deaths in Githurai, a location in Kenya. Most of which the police were doing an open fire shooting. They shoot anyone and anything that lives. There was a grocery lady who was hurriedly closing her shop to go home to safety, she wasn't even protesting and her and her son were shot dead. On Tuesday, people's brains were scattered all over parliament road. The gen z movement is a peaceful one, the only weapons we have are placards and a bottle of water but they shoot and kill. What I've pointed out is just a few injustices this monster has done. The list of innocent blood shed is so long yet all we initially wanted was for him to drop the finance bill. Now, we want him gone. God help Kenya ✊🏽

[@fultoneth9869]

Go away William Ruto . Kenyans deserve better than a global corporate puppet .

[@jonnyh9388]

And your solution is who? The kenyattas presumably?

[@rebelprime]

​@@jonnyh9388what a brainless statement. Have they paid you?

[@negmaosman2395]

​@@jonnyh9388 peleka makasiriko na hukoooo kwenu, that zakayo must go, it's easy. It's either you change or perish, that's the nature. Tunajua zakayo na kiburi chake he can't change,so he'll definitely perish

[@wycliffepoet5201]

​@@jonnyh9388you are stupid and myopic

[@jamesmuigai495]

Ruto is a murderous narcissist

[@moeawale4891]

About time the hardworking and decent Kenyans to uproot huyu the rotten Ruto.

[@HolidaysWithHumour]

Renowned President Moi who ruled Kenya 🇰🇪 for 25 years never unleashed the military 🪖🪖🎖️🎖️ on civilians. This is unprecedented and largely unwarranted.

[@soanna473]

32 years...

[@joshuaombaka3116]

Hahahahaaaaaa. Al Jazeera, you have decided to kick the man even when he is on the floor

[@unruly_ronin]

Good work from Al-Jazeera

[@Africaisthefuture-zh8bo]

They did well on this one in particular😂😂

[@cetricmwachi419]

Nice one 😂

[@susanmworia4404]

As they should 😂😂😂

[@freelanceinstallation.]

Our local media gave us blackout on the githurai and rongai killing , thanks AL jazeera for airing

[@kenyan_latestnews]

Kenya🇰🇪 has a psychopath for a president💔

[@adanali3652]

We don't him, Ruto must go

[@a_sairi]

Ruto has unconstitutionally employed CAS mainly made up of his illiterate, incompetent and unqualified friends..this position is unconstitutional and cost taxpayers billions of money..funds which can be channeled to better infrastructure or promote free education for our needy students

[@mandech_football]

Ruto is evil

[@WILD_CARD_III]

Finally, the truth comes out!!!!😂😂😂 Ruto Must Go!!

[@Tavernaccomodation]

Most accurate report of Ruto

[@sussybellah4392]

😢😢My country is burning, death, fear. I cry for 🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪

[@kelvinking4022]

He has no power to reject. The bill has to go back to parliament which he suspended. He wants the 14 days to elapse for the financial bill to become law.

[@samiraahmed7034]

Also, there won't be a guarantee that if he calls for emergency sitting that the amendments will be made because at that stage they can just send it back to him as is and if declines again it will still become law, feels as though he waited this long knowing all this .he allowed people to die to save his plans

[@abukaribrahim4484]

He can't pass that bill or it will be self-destructive decision

[@SSk5k]

He must resign

[@faithokumu3959]

Ruto must goooo!!!!! Why are they even killing us!!!

[@JesseeGakuo]

Very accurate.. he lies with impunity and is thirsty for blood

[@user-md3dg4cm8o]

I like how you air your news.Remind the world that today was just like the other days.Demonstration were held across the country. Ruto must go

[@Finnishpeasant]

Kenyan people I have met, have been hard workers. I hope they can be righteous when it comes to politics.

[@collinsmwangi2079]

Thankyou.We are just standing up against corrupt leaders.

[@Finnishpeasant]

@@collinsmwangi2079 good luck

[@fridachonga]

Thank you Aljazeera for speaking the truth

[@silverstarartstudios]

the show of fear he displayed today is remarkable

[@georgeaps8412]

When he's not flying he's lying.

[@mrmwa5061]

Thanx aljazeera, you nailed it,

[@mwangikamundia4553]

I am Kenyan. This report is mostly understated!

[@deenash2546]

Expose him worldwide

[@WanderingEngineer_]

Please bring more stories from his past into the limelight.

[@9843ish]

Glad the world knows who we dealing with here. Thank you Al Jazeera

[@kevinoduor4033]

Can he be arrested as early as tomorrow?

[@funnymome377]

Even now if possible....😢

[@MrBorona]

Great description of Ruto by the reporter

[@sijisiji8100]

The Kenya financial problems are generally an example of many African countries. Debt on one hand, and policies to hike taxes to pay off the debt, which eventually will bring many people into poverty and starvation.

[@jonnyh9388]

Shouldn’t have sold their soul to the Chinese

[@sijisiji8100]

@@jonnyh9388 @ThibautDjemo some countries used or are using the loan to built infrastructure such as railway and roads - in the case of Nairobi to Mombasa, however the economic growth of many African countries is very low as well as per capital income, thereby making it very difficult for Africa to pay off such loans. I think what we should have asked ourselves as leaders and policy makers is: are these projects very necessary, and if so how can the loan be repaid such that it will not become burdensome to the people. Interestingly, Kenya compared to other sub Sharan countries are doing better as regards the use of loans. Again, it's high time for Africa to develop their own industries since we have most of the natural resources, so that we don't need to depend much on borrowing.

[@maxmunjanja5403]

​@sijisiji8100 i think its better to raise $500 million per budget year to finance infrastructure than trying to raise $2billion to service an infrastructure debt. And by the way those taxes are inflation in their own way.

[@kevinwere5653]

Enhe​@@jonnyh9388should we have sold to the west with their conditions?

[@Mad_Intalect]

@@sijisiji8100 'White elephant' projects...SGR is atypical example of that.

[@reubenkamau7070]

Spot on🇰🇪🇰🇪

[@1899kes]

Guy's makes the devil shiver

[@denniswambugu6996]

He is a murderer!

[@patriciaa4451]

Huyu Ruto ni mtu ako na roho mbaya. Tangu wahuni wake wachome watu kwa kanisa, 2007, I don't f with him.

[@johnnytheone8698]

Kwani kitambo you used to f with him?

[@winnieoduor359]

Aljazeera doing the lords work ❤keep exposing him

[@patrickmurunga4820]

Unfit for presidency should desolve parliament

[@FelixKorir-zm7dp]

May God curse ruto💔💔💔💔

[@user-fj8mf6fi1f]

It is dangerous to be America's enemy but to be America's friend is fatal.

[@mfululizowak9899]

How?! During Kibaki's time we were still friends with America and we did amazing. How does America benefit from his wife getting a budget of $6million? How does America benefit from the $1million budget for his deputy's mansion renovation? How does America benefit from the $250 million budget for locust invasion which happened only twice before? He is corrupt and sinister. He is the problem. We were great with Kibaki and Uhuru and even then we were great allies with America so what are you on about?...

[@PrinceYoshan-kf5ur]

Having Ruto removed is the only option we Africans can't tolerate puppets 😢😢

[@mfululizowak9899]

Whose puppet?! He is just greedy. He is the problem no one has forced him to do what he is doing..

[@Mad_Intalect]

@@mfululizowak9899 You are both correct...he is exceptionally greedy AND a Western/US lapdog.

[@oyooouma8999]

The fear is gone,.and we shall be there no matter what

[@titustii8151]

Kenya is in crisis due to tax thirst government 😢

[@nortonmalware4745]

Ruto Must Go now!!!

[@SOMTRUCK480]

Kenya’s 🇰🇪 protests and violence arise from unemployment, poverty and inequality. African leaders they underdevelopment to their country

[@YourHome-kt1ct]

to try to hold power over the people

[@sjje2843]

The West does not value human rights and democracy. They value the optics of appearing like they value that. Why therefore did they back Ruto in the first place, whilst knowing his background for inciting violence. Why invite him for a state visit if they weren’t benefiting from his policies that do not benefit the Kenyan people, but benefits them.

[@Curious-hl4bu]

People of the world, any time Ruto flies to your countries and stands on your podiums to speak to you, be assured of this one fact...HE IS LYING TO YOU. We as Kenyans know him more than you. He lies more than he breathes.

[@j.wairimugachara719]

Point of correction for Reginald Kadzutu he is referring to a video of the president Ruto saying the police inspector general is incompetent, the video he is referring to is from 2022 and not during this period we are speaking about. Albeit his point is clear that President Ruto has lost the trust of people, we need to control misinformation and fact check what we share on forums like these

[@HujaleDaBoss]

Mr President Ruto, extended his village protests to Nairobi. In order to imagine he is the man for Gen Z. ( Fixed the title for you)

[@Itschanzu]

Finya Kabisa! We can't even tell if his name is actually William Ruto...A pathological Liar is what he is.

[@arnoldantonio1127]

This spread is even better than what is done by the Kenyan reporters we have. You said it as it is!! He is a liar!!

[@mfululizowak9899]

Cause they can't be intimidated and threatened...

[@BernadetteWanjiru]

They are using real bullets too

[@user-ig3hf4iz7j]

But Aljazeera should go deeper to learn why the protest became violent there's more to cover..

[@petersmith695]

Dangerous killing dictator

[@tonneyosundwa9358]

The inspector general Ruto complained about was from the previous regime, shortly before he assumed reigns of power.

[@ringringring1718]

You can imagine the evil things he's done and had covered up. 😮 This guy is sick.

[@DoubleMKe]

He must go....WE DON'T WANT HIM

[@hopekins974]

Ruto has blood on his hands Ruto is a killer Ruto is killing innocent souls 😢

[@user-yx4mj1by2k]

His icc case should be revisited😂😂😂the file is still open 😂😂😂

[@ggmoose5432]

This country is on the verge of burning if he won't resign

[@francisnjuguna2520]

The earliest possible he resign willingly, the better for Kenya 🇰🇪 as a country and it's people, as moi era seems to have comeback unfortunately those years are gone not forgetting question of international criminal court history and his behaviour has remained questionable globally through the shooting of children who were seeking justice ⚖ of truth how their parents taxes is being spent, vas history of corruption.

[@hassanmahat280]

You nailed it. Thank you Al jazeera

[@irenemumbi6560]

Thank you for reporting this man ..Ruto must go

[@TechTechmartin]

West puppet

[@jonnyh9388]

Always someone else’s fault. Africa needs to take ownership of its problems

[@JackChit-pv3dj]

But it is. Like it or not it’s the God honest truth. Why is the IMF proposing bills for kenya? Why is it demanding transparency for businesses dealings with china? Does your bank tell you how and what you can do in your house after you get a car financed?

[@The-Heart-Will-Testify]

​​@@jonnyh9388 you guys always find ways to justify crimes. No wonder Israel rules over u

[@Africaisthefuture-zh8bo]

THANK YOU CALLING HIM A PATHOLOGICAL LIAR❤❤❤ THIS IS TRUE!

[@alchemistweed8936]

Ruto Must Go

[@sebastianwambua1687]

Thank you al aljazeera

[@errolbaptiste]

Kicked out RUTO immediately for committing corruption with racketeering.

[@ryanmaytara9441]

Congratulations Al Jazeera for your accurate reporting

[@Everythinglife3]

Kenyan and I approve everything

[@LawofGod]

That is it ! Expose the beast ! I do not understand how Kenyans put him in the office ! You got what you chose.

[@shatrahanishahmasinde8487]

Correction we didn't choose him He rigged his way in

[@Vhlathanosh]

@@drugoviic but his past was not a rosy one. He's been a crook from the day he stepped into politics.

[@mfululizowak9899]

​​@@Vhlathanosh I'm Kenyan and THIS is true... He deceived them with religious talk and they forgot everything he had done and was doing. 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️ As if the Bible doesn't say we know people by their fruits.

[@mfululizowak9899]

​​@@shatrahanishahmasinde8487 he did not rig. I voted for Wajackoya and can never vote for Ruto cause of his '07 post election massacre but I won't lie. He actually had the numbers and won with a margin of 200,000. His tribe is the largest in Kenya, followed by Kikuyus and Merus and these top tribes supported him heavily. I am half Kikuyu and Meru and now they've been reminded of who they voted for...

[@fabinasetati8736]

Long Live Kenya. In Our Hearts - Much Love...

[@AmrenOmer]

Truly one thing I wanna say my people don’t destroy the country

[@krandtech2431]

The narrator is very factual. Truth after truth. Am Kenyan and am tired with the serial liar 🤥. Ruto must go.

[@sheilamwaura6691]

Thankyou so much Aljazeera for reporting 100% accurate truth. We the young people have rejected Ruto. We will never forget

[@KENYANNEWSTODAY-bh4yk]

Thank you Al Jazeera news 👏👏👏👏👏

[@collinsmwai3548]

That man ruto sent police to kill our brothers in Githurai Kenya. Over 300 youths below 30 years were killed and police men went away with the bodies. Please help us get justice

[@Penaldotv]

I was thinking of this so many people are missing in githurai

[@njaumatin]

If Farook Kibet is watching this 👋

[@rhodankirote783]

He is always lying!

[@janmutea]

This is a practical example of what Karl Marx asserted in his theory of ideology whereby the proletariats bypass the institutionalized hegemony by the bourgeoisie

[@jonnyh9388]

Yawn

[@fridahjackson9954]

Ruto doesn't fit to be a president. He doesn't fit to finish his term either. Ruto must go

[@medi989]

Master of deception A killer don't be fooled for even a second

[@petronasken7504]

WE WANT HIM OUTTTT!

[@doreenmorris6556]

Did Prof Kadzutu say that Rutu's partners in the West value democracy and human rights above all else? Ahhhh, he's a finance economist! That explains that then.

[@jonnyh9388]

So your plan is to isolate Kenya from the west? And what? Throw your lot in with China? 😂

[@madridistakenya]

On point

[@marvelous8276]

Kids have been killed. My heart is broken. The only question is why?💔💔💔

[@allanmoses265]

Well put