The Kenyan government has condemned as “shameful” an incident in which a shoe was thrown at President William Ruto during a public rally in Migori County on Sunday.
Widely circulated footage from the event shows the shoe striking the president’s left arm as he addressed a crowd during his three-day development tour of the western region. Although President Ruto appeared unfazed, the act has drawn criticism from government officials and the public alike.
Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura called for the arrest of those responsible, describing the act as a sign of growing disrespect for national institutions. “What would happen if we all decided to throw shoes at each other? What values are we teaching our children?” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter), urging Kenyans to uphold the dignity of the presidency.
Local media reports suggest that three individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident, though police are yet to confirm any details. Some lawmakers have labelled the episode a serious security breach, warning against the growing trend of hostility toward public officials.
Despite the disruption, President Ruto continued with his address and was seen urging his security team not to pursue members of the crowd, maintaining calm amid the commotion. In the official video shared on his social media, the moment of the shoe-throwing was excluded, though a brief disturbance in the crowd was visible.
The rally took place in a region known to be a political stronghold of veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga, who ran against Ruto in the 2022 presidential election. However, tensions have reportedly eased since both leaders signed a political truce in March 2025 aimed at fostering national unity after a period of deadly anti-tax protests.
While many have condemned the incident as disrespectful and dangerous, others argue it reflects the growing frustration among Kenyans over economic hardship and increased taxes under Ruto’s administration.
Nelson Koech, a Member of Parliament from the ruling party, expressed concern over the president’s safety. “You can imagine if that shoe was a bullet… we’ve taken this joke too far,” he said during an interview with Citizen TV.
The incident follows the recent assassination of an opposition MP in Nairobi, which has heightened public concerns about political violence and the safety of national leaders. As Kenya navigates economic and political pressures, officials say safeguarding democratic institutions and leadership remains a top priority.