Outrage and Regret: Larry Madowo Condemns Ruto's Belated Finance Bill Decision

• CNN Africa Correspondent Larry Madowo criticised President Ruto's decision to withdraw the Finance Bill 2024, calling it an admission that the youth were right
• Madowo questioned why Ruto didn't address the issue earlier, noting the delay led to deaths during protests
• He highlighted that Ruto's initial address labelled protesters as criminals, missing the opportunity to engage with the youth
• Madowo suggested that widespread dissatisfaction with Ruto's regime, beyond just the Finance Bill, fueled the protests

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - CNN Africa Correspondent Larry Madowo has told off President William Ruto about his latest decision on the controversial Finance Bill 2024.

CNN Africa Correspondent Larry Madowo said President William Ruto could have withdrawn the Bill before Kenyans were killed in the streets. Photo: Larry Madowo. Source: Instagram

During a report on Wednesday, June 26, the outspoken scribe stated that Ruto's decision to withdraw the Bill was an admission that the country's youth were right.

Madowo questioned why the head of state didn't make the address when he first spoke to the nation on Tuesday, June 25.

"It is a total admission that the young people of Kenya were right that they can not afford more taxes and that they wanted him to reject the Bill in whole not just certain amendments. They wanted this Bill rejected in whole and made their voices heard here in Nairobi and across the nation.

President Ruto could have said this last night in his national address, where he called these same people criminals. He could have said this on Sunday when he promised to engage this young people but he didn't, and because of that, people died; shot by police in fact outside Kenya's Parliament, and it all led to this moment where he is admitting that the young people of Kenya have said can not afford more taxes and he has to withdraw the Finance Bill that was recommended by his government," he said.

Why Ruto withdrew Finance Bill 2024

The media personality further claimed that the head of state had realized that most Kenyans were unhappy with his regime.

Madowo revealed that some of the protesters joined in the demonstrations to show their dissatisfaction, pointing out that the Finance Bill 2024 was just a trigger.

"I think Ruto realises that the anger and the frustration, the disillusionment across the country, is significant, and it goes beyond the Finance Bill. The Finance Bill was a trigger. There are so many people who the cost of living has become unbearable, and they just needed this Finance Bill to finally express themselves. Some of the people I was speaking with in the streets said this is no longer about the Finance Bill, we reject William Ruto," he added.