By Judy Maina
NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto was struck by a flying shoe during a public rally on Sunday in western Kenya, an incident that has triggered public outcry, official condemnation, and at least three arrests, according to local media.
In widely circulated video clips, a shoe can be seen hitting the president’s raised arm as he addressed a crowd in Migori County, part of a multi-day tour to launch development projects. Mr. Ruto did not appear injured and continued speaking shortly after the incident.
“This is shameful,” said government spokesman Isaac Mwaura, who condemned the act in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “What values are we teaching our children? What would happen if we all decided to throw shoes at each other?”
While police have not officially confirmed the arrests, several Kenyan news outlets reported that three individuals had been detained in connection with the incident.
Some lawmakers have called the episode a serious security lapse, urging a review of presidential safety measures during public events. Others, including close Ruto ally Dennis Itumbi, downplayed the act, describing it as a moment that “got out of hand.”
In a post on Facebook, Mr. Itumbi shared an alternate-angle video that he said depicted one person lifting a shoe “in jest” to mimic a camera, before it was slapped away by another attendee and accidentally propelled toward the president.
The official video of the rally shared by President Ruto’s office does not include footage of the incident. It briefly cuts out during a moment of visible crowd commotion, then resumes with other speakers taking the stage.
Reaction among Kenyans has been mixed. While many condemned the act as disrespectful to the presidency, others interpreted it as a symbolic gesture of economic frustration amid rising costs of living and mounting public debt.
The shoe-throwing incident comes amid growing national concern over the safety of public figures. Just last week, an opposition member of parliament was shot dead in Nairobi by gunmen on a motorcycle, in what authorities suspect was a targeted killing.
President Ruto, who rose to power in 2022 on a populist platform, has faced increasing scrutiny in recent months over economic austerity measures and allegations of corruption among top officials.
The Migori visit was part of a broader campaign to shore up support in regions where opposition sentiment remains strong.
