Scene from one of the street protests of the last few days -- image via X
After days of mass protests involving hundreds of thousands of Kenyans that were met with extreme repression and police violence, on June 26 the government of President William Ruto was forced to backdown and withdraw the widely loathed, reactionary Finance Bill with its tax hikes on ordinary people.
As the Progressive International noted the bill was pushed "through at the behest of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and the US State Department, the Bill would impose severe austerity measures and crippling taxes on Kenya’s working people, who are already strained by Kenya’s legacy of colonial underdevelopment."
But even with the withdrawal of the bill "the protesters are not backing down. They demand dignified jobs and quality public services; they demand the reclaiming of stolen land and an end to the privatization of public institutions and enterprises; and they demand that foreign institutions — from NATO to the IMF — cease interfering in Kenya’s sovereignty."
The Communist Party of Kenya also says that this is "too little, too late" and that Ruto still must resign.
In the wake of intense demonstrations against the Finance Bill 2024 and the consistent, resolute demand for the resignation of President William Ruto, the President has made a belated and insincere about-face, declaring that he shall not consent to the bill and ostensibly acceding to the people's demands. This disingenuous capitulation comes only after Ruto ordered the brutal murder of more than 10 confirmed protesters and unleashed death squads to massacre more innocent lives in Githurai.
We must not allow Ruto to escape accountability for the innocent blood he has shed in the streets. These demonstrations have clear and simple demands that we insist the President comply with. During the post-election protests, Ruto was responsible for the murder of many innocent souls. It is imperative that the police bosses, all of Ruto’s henchmen, and Ruto himself be held legally accountable for these crimes.
We also demand restorative justice for the survivors of the avoidable massacres orchestrated by the corrupt Ruto regime.
Let’s tell Ruto we are aware that the President is legally unable to withdraw a bill that has already matured for assent. His options are limited to returning it to Parliament with a memorandum for the inclusion of his proposed amendments, which, if rejected by a two-thirds majority, would become law.
Why dupe Kenyans into imagining he can withdraw it in totality? This is a legal conundrum, a deceitful ploy to buy time and distract Kenyans from their urgent demands.
Moreover, this morning Parliament went on recess until June, so how will the bill that has been referred to a Parliament on recess be amended?
We, today, put forth the following ten collective demands to sum up the temporary pause of protests:
1. A total cessation of taxation on basic commodities such as food, healthcare, and education, and the complete rejection of the Finance Bill 2024. We totally reject window dressing paltry amendments that may happen with the bought crowd in parliament
2. An immediate end to the interference with our national sovereignty by foreign institutions such as the World Bank, IMF, NATO, and their financiers.
3. The provision of decent jobs, sustainable livelihoods, and the implementation of Article 43 within six months.
4. Quality housing and compensation for all those illegally evicted.
5. Free and quality education for all.
6. Free and quality healthcare for all.
7. An immediate end to state violence in the form of abductions, excessive use of force by police during demonstrations, and extrajudicial killings.
8. The return of all stolen public land and a clear plan for food sovereignty.
9. Fair compensation for all workers providing essential services to the country.
10. An immediate end to the privatization of public institutions and state-owned enterprises.
President Ruto, your time is up! The people of Kenya reject your bloodstained hands and your corrupt administration.
No IMF ! No World Bank!
Signed,
The Central Organizing Committee of the Communist Party of Kenya