Kenya’s President William Ruto was struck by a shoe hurled from a crowd during a speech in Kehancha, a town in the opposition-leaning county of Migori, as he commenced a development tour of the Western region on Sunday, May 4.
In a brief video clip circulating on social media, the footwear is seen making contact with the president’s left arm mid-address before his security detail swiftly intervened. Although no formal statement had been issued by State House at the time of publication, the footage has already ignited public debate over growing political tensions in the country.
The incident, while seemingly isolated, underscores the palpable discontent that continues to trail the Ruto administration. Since assuming office in September 2022, President Ruto has faced mounting public pressure over escalating taxes and a rising cost of living, issues that have been especially sensitive in areas perceived to be opposition strongholds. Migori County, historically aligned with Raila Odinga—Ruto’s chief political rival turned cooperative partner—remains a symbol of the friction between the government and sections of the citizenry sceptical of its economic policies.
Despite the disruption, President Ruto pressed on with his three-day itinerary in the region, framing his visit as a commitment to inclusive development across Kenya’s political divide. However, Sunday’s dramatic episode is likely to reignite national discourse on the country’s fragile political détente and the deep-seated grievances among segments of the population. As the administration attempts to consolidate its legacy, the shoe-throwing incident stands as a vivid metaphor for the hurdles yet to be overcome in bridging Kenya’s political and socio-economic divides.