The new tax measures were expected to be implemented by the end of September.
Mr Blinken, in his conversation with Mr Ruto, said the statement “underscored the importance of freedoms of assembly and expression as enshrined in Kenyan’s constitution.”
On Friday, President William Ruto took a decisive step, scrapping the budget for the offices of Kenya’s first and second ladies after nationwide protests.
This echoes Mr Ruto’s earlier position. He first labelled the protest’s treasonous acts and applauded the police for quelling the protests.
The pay rise for Mr Ruto’s cabinet members and lawmakers, which, according to local media, took effect on July 1, coincided with anti-finance bill protests in Kenya.
The protest against the finance bill proposing a tax hike started on June 18 and has morphed into calls for Mr Ruto’s resignation despite the bill’s withdrawal.
Irate Kenyan demonstrators are not done kicking against the country’s Finance Bill as they launched the #OccupyStateHouse protest.
“These shootings, killings and abductions constitute crimes against humanity.’’
A 24-year-old protester was shot dead in Nairobi during the ongoing tax protest.
Amnesty International said that 12 abductions took place over the last five day.
