Police in Kuria West, Migori County, have arrested three individuals in connection with the dramatic incident in which a shoe was hurled at President William Ruto during his public address in Kehancha on Sunday.
The shocking incident, captured in a five-second viral video, occurred as President Ruto spoke about lowering the cost of agricultural inputs.
The video shows the President flinching as a shoe struck him on the head, momentarily interrupting his speech.
“Tupunguze gharama ya…” Ruto began, before the projectile made contact, cutting him short. The crowd gasped as security officers quickly swarmed the podium and paused the proceedings for several minutes.
A security officer who spoke on condition of anonymity said preliminary investigations point to a politically motivated and possibly premeditated attack, planned in anticipation of the President’s visit.
“The suspects are in custody and more arrests are likely. We’re also narrowing in on a key suspect who appears central to the act,” the officer said, suggesting that the investigation could unearth a larger conspiracy.
The President, who was in Migori for a development tour that included launching a 298-unit affordable housing project, resumed his speech after a brief interruption.
Political reactions were swift. Some Members of Parliament condemned the attack as reckless and dangerous, warning against rising hostility in political discourse.
“This was not just a protest — it was an attack on the presidency,” said one MP allied to Kenya Kwanza.
Meanwhile, the President’s tour continued as scheduled, but with visibly heightened security.
