Kenyan President William Ruto narrowly avoided a shoe thrown at him while delivering a speech on the rising cost of living — an issue that has fueled widespread public frustration.
The incident occurred on Sunday during a rally in Migori County, western Kenya. Viral videos on social media show Ruto deflecting the flying shoe with his arm. He was unharmed and continued his address without interruption.
“We have said we are reducing the price of fertilizer, true or false?” Ruto said moments after the shoe struck him, as a small cloud of dust rose around him.
The act of protest underscores the growing discontent across the country, even as Ruto has rolled back controversial tax hikes and invited opposition leaders into his cabinet in a bid to ease tensions.
According to The Star newspaper, Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed that three people had been arrested in connection with the incident.
The protest echoes a similar moment in 2008 when then-U.S. President George W. Bush had a shoe thrown at him by an Iraqi journalist — a symbolic act of defiance in the Middle East.
