President William Ruto’s rally in Migori County took a startling turn on Sunday when a shoe was thrown at him mid-speech, momentarily halting proceedings and shocking onlookers.
The incident occurred in Kehancha, Kuria West, where the President was wrapping up his address at a public event following an interdenominational church service in Suna East. Just as he was preparing to hand over the microphone to other leaders, a shoe flew through the air—aimed squarely at him.
Caught off guard, Mr Ruto instinctively raised his hands in defence. Security agents rushed in, combing the crowd and swiftly seizing a man believed to be behind the attack. The suspect was initially subdued before the President, in a gesture that surprised even his aides, intervened and asked his security team to release the man.
“This is a democracy,” Mr Ruto said, calming tensions. “People have a right to express themselves. But we must also be civil in how we do it.”
The man, whose identity was not immediately released, had mingled unnoticed in a crowd that had earlier cheered the President’s promises on lowering the cost of living and investing in affordable housing projects.
Sunday’s visit to Migori was part of a broader government tour in the Nyanza region. Mr Ruto was accompanied by Governor Ochilo Ayacko and several local officials. The housing project he launched in Kehancha is among the flagship initiatives under the government’s affordable housing agenda.
While the President appeared composed afterward, the incident laid bare growing frustrations among sections of the public.
Political allies and local leaders condemned the act. Bevine Bhoke, a UDA women’s leader from the Kuria community, called it “a shameful display of disrespect.”
“We might not all agree politically, but hurling a shoe at the Head of State is completely unacceptable,” she said. “We must debate, not assault.”
The attacker’s motive remains unclear, though online discussions and reactions from residents suggest it could be rooted in discontent over economic hardships or unmet local expectations. The region has experienced rising political tensions in recent months, with mixed reactions to national government programmes.
Despite the disruption, the President continued with his itinerary, projecting confidence and reiterating his administration’s commitment to tackling inflation, improving infrastructure, and fostering inclusivity.
“Let’s fix the economy together. Let’s build this country together,” he told the crowd, receiving applause—albeit more restrained than before.
The Migori incident has revived debate about how the government gauges and addresses dissent, especially in areas historically viewed as opposition strongholds. It also raises questions about crowd control, political accountability, and the line between protest and disrespect.
So far, there has been no official statement from the police or the presidency regarding whether charges will be brought against the man.
In a country where political passions often run high, Sunday’s shoe-throwing moment is unlikely to be forgotten soon. But whether it serves as a wake-up call or a flashpoint remains to be seen.
