Kenya's Ruto proposes spending cuts after nationwide protests

President William Ruto addressing journalists at State House, Nairobi. BONFACE BOGITA / NATION

President William Ruto addressing journalists at State House, Nairobi. 

Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group

Kenyan President William Ruto on Friday proposed spending cuts and additional borrowing in roughly equal measure to fill a nearly $2.7 billion budget hole caused by his withdrawal of planned tax hikes in the face of nationwide protests.

Ruto scrapped the finance bill containing the tax increases in response to mass, youth-led demonstrations that have created the biggest crisis of his two-year-old presidency.