William Ruto: Kenyans Claim President Wore Bulletproof Vest While Meeting Harambee Stars
- Kenyans on social media are speculating that President William Ruto wore a bulletproof vest during his surprise visit to Harambee Stars
- A noticeable bulge under his jersey caught the attention of netizens, with many convinced it was body armour
- While some cited security protocol, others joked that past security may have influenced his wardrobe choice
Kenyans on social media are convinced that President William Ruto wore a ballistic vest during a recent visit to the national team.
Source: Facebook
On Wednesday, 16 July, the head of state made a surprise visit to Kasarani Stadium, where Harambee Stars players were training.
Ruto urged the team to aim for the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 title, which Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will co-host.
Did Ruto wear bulletproof vest?
During the visit, Ruto pledged his government’s support to ensure the team performs at its peak level.
“You carry the hopes of over 50 million Kenyans, and with that comes great responsibility. We have full confidence in your talent and will be cheering you on with pride.
As the host nation, let’s make this a memorable moment by bringing home the victory,” he said.
Ruto also mentioned that the country is ready to host CHAN.
However, a photo of Ruto addressing the players has raised eyebrows. The president donned a red Harambee Stars jersey, black casual trousers, and Nike trainers.
His initials, WSR, were inscribed on the back. However, there seemed to be a bulge in the jersey, with Kenyans trying to figure out what it was.
Many concluded that it must have been a bulletproof vest.
Source: Facebook
How does a bulletproof vest work?
According to Premier Body Armor, bulletproof vests, sometimes called ballistic or tactical vests, are designed to shield the wearer from various projectiles, including bullets.
These vests use special materials that help absorb and disperse the force of impact, reducing the risk of injury. They come in different protection levels, with some designed to stop handgun rounds and others capable of stopping high-calibre rifle fire.
One commonly used material is Kevlar, a strong yet lightweight synthetic fibre known for its flexibility, making it suitable for prolonged wear.
"Since you threw a shoe at your leader, he's forced to wear a bulletproof vest everywhere," a netizen captioned Ruto’s photo.
Kenyans reacted by saying:
Gîvö Böîz:
“It's protocol.”
Brown Ololunga:
“Safety first.”
Samuel Waweru:
“He knows he's not loved at all.”
Guka Chali:
“You guys are very keen.”
Evans Enzo:
“But the shoe was thrown at his head, not the chest.”
Did Ruto wear a bulletproof vest in Eastleigh?
This is not the first time Kenyans have said Ruto wore a bulletproof vest.
On Monday, March 10, Ruto toured Eastleigh, where he addressed a large crowd.
A video from the event later circulated online, with many Kenyans speculating that he might have been wearing a bulletproof vest.
Security around the president was visibly heightened, with GSU officers and plainclothes security personnel closely guarding his vehicle and monitoring the crowd.
At one point, Ruto rose through the sunroof to speak, urging officers to let people get closer.
He wore a sky-blue shirt and dark trousers, but a noticeable outline beneath the shirt fuelled talk about protective gear.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
