President William Ruto narrowly escaped being struck by a shoe hurled at him while addressing a large, animated crowd in Kehancha, Migori County, during his ongoing three-day working tour.
In a now-viral video circulating widely on social media, the Head of State is seen instinctively blocking the airborne shoe with his arm — just inches from his head — before pausing his speech momentarily.
Security detail from the General Service Unit (GSU) quickly stepped in, forming a tighter barrier around the raised podium.
The president had been discussing measures to reduce the cost of living when the incident occurred. Eyewitnesses noted that the crowd had grown increasingly restless, with some pushing closer to the dais, overwhelming the perimeter security placed on ground level.
Prior to the attack, concerns over the president’s safety had surfaced, as footage showed minimal distance between the podium and the crowd. The environment was visibly tense, with murmurs and movement from the crowd throughout Ruto’s address.
Despite the scare, President Ruto continued with his engagements, launching the 298-unit Kehancha Affordable Housing Project in Kuria West, attending an interdenominational service at Kadika Primary School, and inaugurating the Suna West Sub County Office in Piny Oyie.
The incident has drawn comparisons to a similar moment in 2008, when former U.S. President George W. Bush narrowly dodged a shoe thrown by an Iraqi journalist — a gesture widely interpreted as a sign of political dissent.
No arrests had been officially announced by press time, though investigations are ongoing. Security around the president has since been tightened.
