Among those who sat behind him were lawmakers who, only the day before, had passed the bill in Parliament, some despite being roundly condemned by their constituents for supporting the legislation.
The announcement was a sudden about-face for Ruto, who in a speech on Tuesday night called protesters “dangerous criminals” and “traitors” and deployed the army to join the police in cracking down on the protests.
Ruto’s government introduced the finance bill last month to raise revenue by imposing additional taxes. The government has said the bill is needed to repay the country’s huge debt, avoid loan defaults and cover the costs of roads, rural electrification and agricultural subsidies.
But the legislation has fueled widespread public discontent, with opponents arguing it would lead to costly increases in the cost of living. Critics of the bill have also highlighted the lavish lifestyle of Ruto and members of his administration, and called on officials to rein in spending.
The young protesters, who observers say largely initiated and led the demonstrations, were also angered by the cavalier way some leaders addressed their concerns.
