MWE Correspondent
President William Ruto’s weekend tour of Kenya’s western region took an unexpected turn on Sunday afternoon when a shoe was thrown at him while he was addressing a rally in Kuria West.
The incident occurred as the President was speaking to a large crowd gathered to hear about new government projects. In the middle of his speech, a shoe suddenly came flying from the crowd. The President instinctively raised his hand and managed to block it before it could hit him directly.
Security personnel quickly moved in, and although the situation was momentarily tense, President Ruto carried on with the event.
Earlier in the day, the Head of State had visited Suna East, where he attended an interdenominational prayer service. He then proceeded to Suna West to launch the construction of the Piny Oyie Technical Training Institute and to commission new sub-county administrative offices. These events went on peacefully, with residents turning out in large numbers to welcome him and listen to his address.
But in Kuria West, the crowd proved more difficult to manage. As excitement grew, many people surged forward, trying to get closer to the podium. It was during this commotion that the shoe was thrown. Though the event was being broadcast live, the video feed briefly cut out during the incident, replaced by music in the background.
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Following the rally, President Ruto posted on his official social media platforms, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to equitable development. “The government is implementing a transformative development agenda that will ensure that no part of our country is marginalised or left behind,” he wrote, alongside photos from the day’s events. He also announced the groundbreaking of the 298-unit Kehancha Affordable Housing Project.
Local leaders, including Migori Woman Representative Fatuma Mohamed, sought to downplay the incident, suggesting it was a reflection of the public’s eagerness to see the President up close.
“These people love you. They just wanted to be closest to you,” she told the crowd.
When contacted for comment, security officials in Migori declined to provide details, stating they were not aware of the specific individual behind the incident. No arrests had been made by the time of reporting.
Despite the disturbance, President Ruto continued with his planned itinerary in Migori County, maintaining a calm demeanor throughout. His visit focused on showcasing development efforts and reinforcing the government’s pledge to deliver services to all parts of the country.
