Kenyan President William Ruto refused to sign a finance bill proposing new taxes after violent protests erupted at parliament, resulting in fatalities.

Kenyan President William Ruto announced on Wednesday that he would not endorse a finance bill introducing new taxes, following violent protests at parliament where several people were fatally shot. This marked the most significant challenge to Kenya's government in decades.

The bill aimed to generate revenue to manage debt, but was met with widespread opposition from Kenyans already grappling with economic hardships. Tuesday's unrest prompted the deployment of military forces, with Ruto condemning the protests as "treasonous."

Acknowledging public discontent, Ruto stated that he had listened to the people and decided not to proceed with the bill. This setback comes despite Ruto's initial promises to alleviate economic burdens, highlighting growing unity against his reform efforts.

"We need a national dialogue on managing our country's affairs together," Ruto emphasized.

Nairobi continued to bear the aftermath of tear gas and military presence after protesters stormed parliament. Ruto labeled the incident as an "existential threat," with reports confirming at least 22 fatalities during the protests.

Expressing regret over the deaths, Ruto offered condolences amidst ongoing tensions. Activists warned of escalating risks, citing reports of abductions linked to recent demonstrations.

"We are facing an unpredictable situation. These are not ordinary protests; we cannot predict how this will unfold," observed Herman Manyora, a Nairobi-based analyst.

Critics argued that Ruto missed an opportunity in his address to calm tensions and demonstrate empathy towards the youth leading the protests.

"The president's response only fueled anger instead of addressing the root issues," Manyora added.

The protests united diverse segments of Kenyan society against the proposed tax hikes, highlighting broader discontent beyond ethnic divisions. Despite the relative calm on Wednesday, anxiety lingered as civil society groups reported incidents of intimidation and expected further unrest.

"My appeal to the president is to prioritize lives over the finance bill," pleaded Nairobi businessman Gideon Hamisi. "Too many young lives were lost."

Opposition leader Raila Odinga condemned the use of force against protesters and called for dialogue, stressing the need to respect constitutional rights amidst the crisis.

The events mark a dramatic turn for Ruto, previously seen as a key ally by the U.S. and other Western powers, amid rising frustrations over governance and inequality in Kenya.