Kenya: Ruto proposes budget cuts following deadly protests

Dozens of Kenyans have been abducted during protests to reverse tax hikes in Kenya, according to human rights groups.

The protest movement has sparked the most serious crisis of William Ruto's two-year presidency.

Although William Ruto has withdrawn the tax increases, a victory for the movement, the brutal response to the protests has raised fears of a backlash for human rights in Kenya. At least 39 people have been killed in clashes with police and some protesters briefly stormed parliament last week.

Kenya's president on Friday proposed alternative measures to tax hikes to address a $2.7 billion budget deficit.

Ruto announced spending cuts of $1.39 billion and increased borrowing of $1.32 billion.

Caught between the demands of the International Monetary Fund and a population suffering from rising living costs, President Ruto has announced austerity measures, including the dissolution of state-owned enterprises and the reduction of government staff.