President Ruto, Cabinet tackle aftermath of riots, future economic plans

The meeting at State House Nairobi, presided over by President William Ruto, was informed that, while the riots began as a protest against tax measures proposed in the Finance Bill 2024, they were infiltrated, hijacked, and taken over by criminal and opportunistic political forces.

The two groups have terrorised Kenyans in cities, towns, and other urban areas for the past two weeks, resulting in deaths and the destruction of National and County government buildings, infrastructure, vehicles, homes, and businesses.

Due to the threat to Parliament, the Supreme Court, and other infrastructure, the Cabinet was informed that all national security agencies, including the military, had been deployed to prevent a breakdown in law and order.

The Cabinet was also informed that the security agencies have stabilised the situation and will continue to monitor developments.

The members commended security officers, pointing out that they on the whole acted professionally in very difficult circumstances. The Cabinet also noted that security agencies did a good job of protecting the country from anarchists.

The President said the government must now focus on charting a new future for the country, pointing out that significant changes must be made to align with that new future.

On any officers who may have acted outside the confines of the law, the Cabinet said they will be dealt with in accordance with legal procedure and by the institutions mandated to do so.

The Cabinet also called for action against those who have committed heinous crimes of arson, looting and robbery, among others, saying such atrocities must not go unpunished.

On the withdrawn Finance Bill, President Ruto said the National Treasury is reorganising the budget to accommodate the new reality.

This will include substantial cutting down of budgets to "balance between what to be implemented and what can wait", and ensuring that key national programmes are not affected.

"Our plan is good and solid and, in the fullness of time, we shall be vindicated," President Ruto said.

On other agenda, the Cabinet discussed the implementation of the Kenya Urban Improvement Project in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area.

This includes the phased out upgrade of the 163km Nairobi Commuter Rail. The first phase of the upgrade will comprise improving the  58km commuter rail between the Nairobi Central Railway Station and Thika.

The project will also include acquisition of new locomotives and improvement of non-motorised transport infrastructure, and feeder roads along the Nairobi Commuter Rail network.

The Cabinet also approved the following Bills  policies:

Kenya Secondary Education Equity and Quality Improvement Programme

Kenya-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

Co-Hosting of the Second Edition of the African Continental Free Trade Area Youth Symposium on September 5-7, 2024

Public Finance Management (Amendment) Bill 2024

Ratification of Bilateral Air Services Agreements between Kenya and various countries, including Somalia, Morocco, Algeria, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Guinea, the United Kingdom and South Korea