Faith Nyasuguta
History appeared to repeat itself on Sunday in Kenya, where President William Ruto was struck by a flying shoe during a public address, a moment that quickly drew comparisons to the infamous 2008 shoe-throwing incident involving former U.S. President George W. Bush.
Ruto was speaking in Migori County during a three-day working tour focused on the government’s efforts to lower the cost of living. At the time of the incident, he had just asked the crowd, “We have said we are reducing the price of fertilizer, true or false?” when a shoe was suddenly hurled at him. It hit him, stirred up dust, and temporarily disrupted the event.
Though visibly surprised, the president appeared unharmed and remained composed. His security rushed to the stage, momentarily halting the meeting, despite Ruto’s instructions to stay calm. According to Kenya’s Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen, three individuals were arrested following the incident.
The shoe-throwing was quickly shared across social media, and many commentators drew immediate parallels to the time Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi threw his shoes at President George W. Bush during a press conference in Baghdad. In Arab culture and others, throwing a shoe is considered a deep sign of disrespect. In both Ruto’s and Bush’s cases, the footwear symbolized more than frustration,it became an emblem of revolt.
For President Bush, it was a reaction to American military presence and foreign policy in Iraq. For Ruto, it reflects growing anger from Kenyan citizens facing economic hardship, high unemployment, and rising costs of basic goods. The symbolism of the act wasn’t lost on Kenyans, many of whom see it as a raw, public expression of discontent.
The dramatic moment comes just months after Kenya witnessed some of its deadliest protests in years. Between June and July 2024, demonstrations erupted across the country in opposition to a controversial tax bill. The legislation sought to increase levies on essentials, imported items, and products contributing to environmental waste—measures that enraged citizens, particularly young people already struggling under economic strain.
What began as peaceful protests soon turned deadly. At least 40 people were reportedly killed in Nairobi alone, sparking widespread outrage. Under mounting pressure, Ruto withdrew the tax proposal. But for many, the move came too late.
In a bid to restore public confidence, the president took drastic steps: dissolving his entire cabinet, suspending non-essential government travel, scrapping budgets for the offices of the first and second ladies, and vowing to overhaul state spending.
Still, tensions remain high. The shoe incident highlights a deeper political dissatisfaction, and while Ruto has made efforts to reform, many Kenyans remain unconvinced.
For now, the shoe may be back on the shelf, but the message it carried is still echoing loudly across the nation.
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