NAIROBI, Kenya — What started as a seemingly harmless moment during President William Ruto’s address in Kehancha, Migori County, quickly turned into viral chaos—complete with a flying shoe and a flurry of public outrage.
In a twist that’s equal parts surreal and cinematic, Dennis Itumbi, Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy, is now downplaying the incident, calling it “a light moment that got out of hand.”
His remarks come as new footage and public statements attempt to clear the air about what exactly transpired.
New Footage Offers a Different Perspective
A day after the video clip showing President Ruto instinctively blocking a flying shoe mid-speech took social media by storm, Itumbi released what he claims is a clearer version of events.
In this extended footage, a man in the crowd is seen raising his shoe—apparently mimicking others who were filming the moment on their phones.
Another person’s hand then strikes the shoe, sending it airborne in the President’s direction.
“Having reviewed the Migori footage, the facts are clear,” said Itumbi in a post shared alongside the new video. “What started as a light moment quickly escalated.”
Itumbi even managed to inject some humor into the situation, adding that he’s actively looking for the “shoe-camera guy.” A friend of his, businessman Sam Mburu, has offered the man a real phone as a gift—apparently to encourage him to “channel that creativity into content.”
“Inbox me if you know who he is,” Itumbi urged.
Government and Leaders Condemn the Incident
Despite Itumbi’s attempt to put a light spin on the matter, government officials have not taken it lightly.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura issued a strongly-worded condemnation, stressing that the act disrespected the institution of the presidency.
“We must respect the office of the President. What values are we teaching our children?” Mwaura asked. “This was a shameful act, and those responsible must be brought to justice.”
Echoing Mwaura’s sentiments, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed that an arrest had been made in connection to the incident. Leaders across the political divide also voiced their concern, calling for calm, respect, and national unity.
A Viral Moment with Lasting Impact
While the man behind the flying shoe may have intended it as a joke—or even a DIY stunt—it has sparked a national conversation about decorum, respect, and the power of viral content.
The meme-worthy moment also underscores how fast something seemingly trivial can escalate in today’s digital age.
Whether this becomes a cautionary tale or the unlikely origin story of a newfound content creator, one thing is certain: the so-called “shoe-cam” moment has left an impression—on both the President’s reflexes and the country’s conscience.
The Kehancha incident is more than just a bizarre interruption—it’s a reflection of Kenya’s highly charged political climate and the razor-thin line between protest and performance.
While Itumbi may want to spin it as harmless fun, the government’s strong response sends a clear message: not everything that goes viral is a joke.
As the country waits to see whether the “shoe-cam” guy will come forward and claim his new phone, one thing is certain—this moment will be replayed, retweeted, and reinterpreted for a long time to come.
