Migori: New Video Surfaces Showing Shoe Thrown at William Ruto Was Accidental
- President William Ruto's rally in Kehancha was briefly disrupted when a shoe was flung towards him during his speech about fertiliser subsidies
- Police arrested three suspects linked to the incident, which authorities suspect was politically motivated and premeditated
- Ruto called for the release of those initially arrested, while Migori UDA officials condemned the act, warning it could hinder the region’s development goals
- A new video has revealed how the incident occurred, with a man holding up a shoe before someone struck it, sending it flying in the president's direction
Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.
Migori – The development tour of President William Ruto in Kehancha town, Kuria West, was briefly disrupted after an individual unknowingly threw a shoe at him.
Source: Facebook
The incident occurred during the launch of the 298-unit Kehancha Affordable Housing Project on Sunday, May 4.
The shoe was flung towards the podium as Ruto spoke about reducing fertiliser costs, momentarily interrupting the speech.
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"We focus on development, and because I have so many leaders, I want to tell the people of Kuria that you are important farmers in this country. We said we reduce the cost of....wait," said the president as his speech was interrupted.
Despite the unsettling event, Ruto regained composure and continued with his address, urging police officers to release the suspect.
"We said we reduce the cost of fertilisers. Did we say that? wait... leave those citizens alone," Ruto stated.
What happened before shoe was thrown at Ruto?
Meanwhile, according to the new video, as the crowd recorded the speech on their phones, one individual raised his shoe—seemingly out of excitement.
Moments later, someone struck the shoe, possibly to clear the view, causing it to fly accidentally towards the president, narrowly missing his head.
Despite the president’s intervention, police in Kuria West later confirmed the arrest of three individuals linked to what they termed “reckless and regrettable behaviour.”
Preliminary investigations suggest the act was politically motivated and potentially premeditated.
A police source, speaking anonymously to TUKO.co.ke, claimed the suspects were affiliated with two rival MPs from the region.
Migori county UDA chairman, Byron Ogiga, strongly condemned the incident, warning that such actions could undermine development efforts and threaten the Kuria community’s push for county status.
The event triggered a wave of public reaction, with many Kenyans raising concerns over the effectiveness of the president’s security detail.
Source: Facebook
Itumbi launches search for owner of shoe-camera
Meanwhile, in a surprising twist, Dennis Itumbi, a digital strategist and close ally of Ruto, has offered a new perspective on the viral shoe-throwing incident involving the head of state.
Itumbi, after reviewing footage from the event in Migori, clarified that what initially appeared as a serious situation was in fact a lighthearted moment.
He explained that as the crowd raised their phones to record the president, one individual, without a phone, lifted his shoe in jest, pretending it was a camera.
Itumbi has since launched a search for the person, offering a real phone to the man so he can create content with an actual camera.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
