A dramatic moment at President William Ruto’s rally in Kehancha, Migori County, on Sunday evening stunned the nation as a flying shoe hurled from the crowd narrowly missed the Head of State mid-speech.

The president deflected the object with his hand, pausing briefly before resuming his address. Three people have since been arrested in connection to the incident.

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura strongly condemned the act, describing it as “shameful” and urging immediate prosecution of the perpetrators.

“We must respect the institution of the Presidency,” Mwaura emphasized in a statement on Monday, May 5. “Those behind this shameful act must be apprehended. What values are we teaching our children? Let us be patriotic and maintain peace.”

Viral video clips from various angles captured the startling scene as security momentarily scrambled. While the president continued his tour with a rally on Monday morning, noticeable security reinforcements were evident—though he did not talk about the shoe incident, albeit publicly.

The incident has ignited public concern over presidential security lapses and prompted political discussions across the spectrum. Although three individuals have been detained, police sources say the main suspect behind the act remains at large.

Investigators from the Migori police and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are pursuing leads, with initial findings suggesting that the attack was not spontaneous but “premeditated and planned days before the president’s arrival.”

The identities of the suspects and details of their roles remain undisclosed. Meanwhile, President Ruto presses on with his three-day county tour amid heightened security and growing public scrutiny.

This bold breach of protocol and security underscores tensions on the political ground and raises questions about the safety measures protecting Kenya’s highest office.