Shoe Thrown At Kenyan President Ruto While Addressing Crowd
Tension flared in Kenya on Sunday as President William Ruto narrowly escaped injury after a shoe was hurled at him during a public address in Migori County.
The incident, which has since gone viral across Kenyan social media, occurred as Mr Ruto was delivering a speech in Swahili to a restless crowd.
Eyewitnesses at the scene reported that the shoe, aimed directly at the President’s head, missed him by mere inches before security operatives moved in swiftly.
Although the assailant remains officially unidentified, local media reports indicate that arrests have been made in connection with the act, which is now being treated as a serious breach of security.
The attempted assault comes on the heels of deepening public dissatisfaction with Mr Ruto’s leadership, especially following the controversial Finance Bill that proposed tax increases.
The bill had sparked deadly protests across the country in 2024, during which several demonstrators were reportedly gunned down by police forces.
Public confidence in the Ruto administration has continued to dwindle, with many accusing the President of drifting from the populist ideals that brought him to power.
The assassination of a key opposition figure, Charles Were, last week in a traffic-related shooting, has further heightened tensions nationwide.
Interestingly, the Migori incident came just days after Mr Ruto criticised Kenyans for what he described as an unhealthy obsession with bad news.
While speaking at a breakfast meeting with students of PCEA Booth Girls’ High School in Nairobi, he remarked: “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.”
Analysts say the President’s remarks have done little to calm the national mood, and the shoe-throwing episode may well be a reflection of growing frustration among ordinary citizens.
In what appeared to be a conciliatory move following last year’s protests, Mr Ruto dismissed his entire cabinet and scrapped funding to the offices of the First and Second Ladies. But critics argue that these gestures have failed to address the core economic grievances of the populace.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
