North Eastern Leaders Condemn Migori Shoe-Throwing Incident Targeting Ruto: "We Demand Respect"
- North Eastern leaders have decried the shoe-throwing incident involving President William Ruto in Migori, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent
- The leaders, led by Hafid Mohamed, said such acts threaten national unity and demanded that ODM condemn what they termed a barbaric provocation
- Legal experts argue the act is punishable under Kenyan law and could be seen as a direct affront to the dignity of the presidency
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TUKO.co.ke journalist Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya
A moment of political theatre in Migori has sparked national outrage after a man hurled a shoe at President William Ruto during a rally on Sunday, May 4.
Source: UGC
Leaders from North Eastern Kenya have bitterly condemned the incident, saying it threatens to erode the hard-earned calm in Kenya’s political landscape.
Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, Hafid Mohamed, the North Eastern chairman for persons with disabilities, led a group of leaders from Garissa and Wajir counties in condemning the act.
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They warned that if such actions are not addressed decisively, they could embolden similar provocations and plunge the country into instability.
“Such behaviour should not be tolerated in Kenya, especially at a time when the country is undergoing political stability,” said Hafid, reading from a joint statement.
Hafid noted with concern that the incident occurred in a region considered a stronghold of the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
He argued that this raises questions about political tolerance and respect.
“As United Democratic Alliance (UDA) supporters, we demand respect of the highest order for our party leader, and we are also looking forward to the ODM party leadership condemning the primitive and barbaric act,” he added.
He further called for a thorough overhaul of the presidential security team, questioning how such a breach of protocol could occur so close to the head of state.
What did legal experts say about shoe being hurled at Ruto in Migori?
The legal community has not remained silent. Lawyer Abdi Raheem, also speaking to TUKO.co.ke, noted that the act may constitute an offence under Section 94 of the Penal Code (Cap. 63, Laws of Kenya), which deals with offensive behaviour likely to cause a breach of peace.
“The office of the president, as outlined in Article 131 of the Constitution, symbolises the unity of the nation and carries with it the dignity of state authority. Acts that seek to demean or attack this office are not only disrespectful to the individual but to the sovereignty of the Republic of Kenya as a whole,” Raheem stated.
Source: Facebook
Who threw shoe at Ruto in Migori?
Police in Kuria West confirmed the arrest of three individuals in connection with the incident.
Authorities suspected political motivations behind the act, linking the suspects to rival factions allied with competing local MPs. An officer, who spoke to TUKO.co.ke on condition of anonymity, said that a key suspect believed to have orchestrated the incident was still being pursued.
Although some suspects were apprehended after the incident, TUKO.co.ke reported that Ruto ordered their release while investigations continued.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
