President William Ruto speaks at a key roundtable with journalists at State House today, focusing on the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024 and the recent protests against it. He stresses the need to follow the rule of law and promises that any police officers who use excessive force will be accountable.
The Presidents Opinion
“The rule of law must be on hold,” President Ruto says. “The police did their best in tough situations, but any officer who went too far will face consequences.”
He also expressed sympathy for the families of those affected by the violence and emphasized his commitment to justice. “We will not tolerate any excesses from the police or anyone else. Those responsible for unlawful actions will be accountable,” he states.
The discussion also touches on the economic impact of dropping the Finance Bill. The bill was designed to increase government revenue, but it faced strong opposition due to fears of higher living costs and taxes.
Dangers of dropping the Finance Bill
“Dropping the Finance Bill has serious consequences for our economy, but we must find a way to move forward that considers the needs and voices of our people,” President Ruto said. He says he believe in settling scores using police.
Economists have warned that this move could lead to a significant revenue shortfall, affecting key government programs like the fertilizer subsidy, Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and funding for Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers. The government needs to find new ways to fund these important services. Ruto’s Opinion
President Ruto acknowledged the economic setback, saying, “The economic impact of this decision is undeniable. We have essentially set the country back by two years,” highlighting the urgent need to address these challenges.
Reflecting on his efforts since taking office, he said, “I have worked hard to pull Kenya out of debt. This setback is significant, but it is not insurmountable. We must come together to find a path forward.”
He also discussed the current financial crisis, noting, “The country is in a very tough financial crisis. We are going to borrow close to a trillion shillings to manage our economic needs and stabilize our finances.”
Despite these challenges, President Ruto pointed out the success of his administration’s affordable housing programs. “We now have affordable housing programs that are providing much-needed relief to many Kenyans. This is a positive step towards improving the quality of life for our citizens,” he claimes.
President Ruto called for a collective effort to plan a new course for Kenya’s financial and economic policies. Immediate steps are taken to reduce government spending, starting with:
Executive Office of the President.
- No CAS will be appointed untill the economy is stablises
- All unconstitutional offices will not be on the budget
- The government is going to make major cuts
President Ruto claims that he is ready and open to engage in discussions with Gen-Zs at their comfort spaces including X-Platform. He also says the government failed to explain to the young generation what the Finance Bill entails.