President William Ruto was nearly struck by a flying shoe while addressing a public rally in Migori County on Sunday, a dramatic moment that briefly halted his speech and heightened concerns over presidential security.
The shoe, thrown from within the crowd, was seen hurtling towards the President’s head before he instinctively blocked it with his forearm. Amateur footage circulating widely on social media shows the object sailing past his security team and landing just inches from his face. The incident took place as Ruto spoke about the rising cost of living—an issue that has ignited frustration across the country.
No injuries were reported. The individual responsible for the throw was quickly apprehended by security officers. Authorities have yet to publicly confirm the suspect’s identity or possible motive.
The President had been addressing hundreds of residents from a modest, elevated platform in Migori’s Kehancha area. His security detail, drawn largely from the General Service Unit (GSU), stood at ground level, attempting to hold back an eager and sometimes restless crowd.
Witnesses at the scene described an atmosphere that grew tense as the speech progressed. “People were agitated. Some were shouting about food prices, others just wanted to get closer to him,” said Paul Odhiambo, a vendor near the venue.
Ruto, who resumed speaking shortly after the incident, continued with his planned events. He later commissioned the 298-unit Kehancha Affordable Housing Project in Kuria West and attended an interdenominational service at Kadika Primary School. He also opened the new Suna West Sub County administrative offices.
The Migori tour is part of a broader push by the President to shore up support in regions where his administration faces growing scepticism. While the shoe incident did not result in harm, it has stirred memories of a similar episode in 2008, when then-U.S. President George W. Bush famously dodged two shoes thrown at him during a press conference in Iraq.
Security analysts are calling for a reassessment of crowd control at presidential events. “It’s a wake-up call. Regardless of how familiar a region feels, protocol must not slip,” said Beatrice Kamau, a Nairobi-based political analyst.
So far, State House has not issued an official statement on the incident. The Presidential Communication Service shared photos earlier in the day showing President Ruto surrounded by cheering supporters.
Despite the brief chaos, Ruto appeared unfazed. As one government aide noted, “He brushed it off and kept going—he knows the stakes are high and so is the pressure.”
With cost-of-living protests quietly gaining traction in parts of the country, moments like this reflect a simmering tension just beneath the surface. Whether Sunday’s drama was an isolated act or a symptom of a broader unrest remains to be seen.
