The incident, now viral on Kenyan social media, unfolded while Ruto was speaking in Swahili. Eyewitnesses said the shoe was aimed directly at the President’s head but missed by inches before security personnel intervened
By Titilope Adako
Tension gripped Migori County on Sunday as a shoe was thrown at President William Ruto while he was addressing a restless crowd, narrowly missing him and sparking a security scare.
The incident, now viral on Kenyan social media, unfolded while Ruto was speaking in Swahili. Eyewitnesses said the shoe was aimed directly at the President’s head but missed by inches before security personnel intervened.
Although the identity of the attacker remains unclear, local reports confirm arrests have been made, and the act is being treated as a serious security breach.
This attempted assault comes amid growing dissatisfaction with President Ruto’s administration, particularly over the controversial Finance Bill that proposed tax hikes. The bill triggered deadly protests in 2024, with reports of police shooting several demonstrators.
Public confidence in Ruto has steadily declined, with many accusing him of abandoning the populist promises that helped him win office. Tensions were further inflamed by the recent assassination of opposition figure Charles Were in a traffic-related shooting.
Ironically, the Migori incident happened just days after Ruto criticised Kenyans for what he described as a fixation on negative news. Speaking at a student breakfast event in Nairobi, he said, “Kenyan people don’t believe in good news. People are used to bad news. It is very difficult for people to appreciate success. But somehow people celebrate failure.”
Political analysts say his remarks have done little to soothe national anger, and the shoe-throwing may reflect mounting frustration from ordinary citizens.
In an attempt to rebuild public trust after last year’s unrest, Ruto had dismissed his entire cabinet and cut funding to the offices of the First and Second Ladies. But critics argue these moves have not tackled the deeper economic issues facing Kenyans.
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