After protests, Kenya asks for public's help with finance law

STORY: Kenya's finance minister has said the government will seek suggestions from the public on new legislation to tackle the country's struggling finances.

:: Nairobi, Kenya

:: June 25, 2024

That's after demonstrators forced the government to withdraw its previous finance law.

In June, President William Ruto discarded tax hikes worth more than $2.7 billion amid protests that killed more than 50 people.

But that move has left the heavily indebted government with a bigger budget deficit for this financial year, mounting pending bills and a delay in funding from the International Monetary Fund.

On Monday (September 9), Finance Minister John Mbadi told a budget preparation meeting that "we are barely managing".

He was appointed from the opposition last month as Ruto sought to stabilize his government.

Mbadi initially proposed reviving some tax hikes from the abandoned finance bill - but rowed back after a public outcry and the threat of more protests.

He's now said he would be issuing a circular, inviting the public to submit proposals on some legislative reforms to "improve our current economic situation".

Kenyans will have until September 20 to submit their views.