NAIROBI, Kenya — A shoe flew, security scrambled, and President William Ruto’s Sunday speech in Migori County took an unexpected turn — quite literally.
As he addressed a packed crowd in Kehancha, Kuria West, someone from the audience lobbed a shoe at the Head of State, catching both him and his security detail off guard in a moment that is now under intense investigation.
The five-second viral video clip tells a sharp story: Ruto, mid-speech, ducks and blocks the projectile as it grazes him.
His security team immediately rushed in, pushing back the crowd that had gathered dangerously close to the small elevated podium.
For a few tense minutes, the rally was thrown into chaos as detectives moved swiftly to secure the scene and identify the culprit.
The president, staying composed, urged calm while momentarily pausing his address — which had ironically been focused on lowering the cost of living.
Police have confirmed the detention of three individuals in connection with the incident, and Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen has since hinted that this might not have been a random act of protest.
According to him, authorities are considering whether the shoe-throwing was an isolated outburst or a premeditated attempt to breach presidential security.
Investigators say early findings point to political motivation and possible planning ahead of the President’s arrival.
The suspect who threw the shoe remains under scrutiny, with more potential accomplices reportedly being pursued.
Security analysts have flagged several red flags from the day. The president’s platform was precariously close to the crowd, and prior to the attack, security teams had already been struggling to hold back an increasingly restless audience.
That proximity, combined with a visible lack of space between the Head of State and the crowd, likely contributed to the breach. Still, the fact that a shoe — and not something more dangerous — was thrown might signal symbolism over harm.
Nonetheless, this marks a significant lapse in VIP security during public events.
President Ruto was in Migori for a three-day tour that included launching development projects and engaging locals on key issues.
But this particular stop will likely be remembered more for a single shoe than for any speech or ribbon-cutting.
