Beyond the shoe: What the Ruto incident reveals about public discontent

The shoe-throwing incident against President William Ruto in Kuria West, Migori County a week ago was widely covered around the world like a similar incident that happened to former US president George W Bush in December 2008.

Just like Ruto did, Bush also quickly ducked the shoe aimed at his head by journalist Mutandhar al-Zaidi, while a second one hit the US flag placed next to him during a press conference he was holding in Baghdad with then Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

The journalist was protesting the killing of Iraq people by US armed forces when they invaded the country to remove Sadam Hussein and his government from power. The motive behind the shoe thrown at President Ruto, however, remains unclear.

It was reported that Ruto was speaking from small mounted dais surrounded by the large crowd, when the incident happened. His security had formed a barrier around him as he spoke. He also urged them to be calm after evading the shoe.

In the Iraq incident, the journalist responsible was quickly grabbed by security officers, kicked and removed from the room, while in Migori police said they arrested an 18-year-old man and two others over the incident.

From what happened to Al-Zaidi and Paul Mutongori, the man alleged to have committed what police are describing as the "shoe attack towards the Head of State" may face assault charges.

Offensive conduct

An assault is described as the act of causing physical harm or unwanted physical contact to another person or an attempt to do so. It is both a crime and a tort and in some legal definitions may result in criminal prosecutions.

"Common assault may be committed without a weapon. It can be used to cause fear of physical harm or offensive conduct to other persons," says legal scholar Morrison Wabwire. Depending on the severity of the assault, it may result in a fine and imprisonment.

The accused's mother pleaded with President Ruto to have mercy on her son and pardon him. Villagers described Mutongori as a disciplined and quiet young man as they pondered over what may have provoked his action.

Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura condemned the incident, urging Kenyans to respect the president. Local leaders in Kuria and many MPs from across the political divide castigated those who committed the act.

"What would happen if we all decided to throw shoes at each other, what values are we teaching our children?" wrote Mwaura on his X account.

The incident captured worldwide attention, with CNN carrying a Reuters story saying President Ruto fended off a shoe thrown at him during a speech about the cost of living which has been a source of public anger.

"Ruto has been compelled to abandon tax hikes and invite opposition members into Cabinet, but discontent remains high in the East African nation. On Sunday at the rally in Migori county in western Kenya, Ruto blocked the flying footwear with his arm and did not appear to be injured, according to three videos," said the CNN report.

'Wake-up call'

Under the headline, Kenya: Thrown shoe a 'wake-up call' for President Ruto, Germany's Deutsche Welle wrote that President Ruto had a shoe thrown at him, highlighting growing discontent over the rising cost of living.

The story said the incident, which led to arrests, reflects public frustration with economic challenges and recent tax hikes. Citizens are urging the government to address their grievances and provide real solutions to ease the financial burden.

The German broadcaster said the incident, captured on video, occurred as the president addressed the crowd on the government's efforts to reduce the cost of living, a topic that has sparked widespread public dissatisfaction in Kenya.

They added that the shoe-throwing incident comes amid growing public frustration over economic challenges, including high inflation and recent tax hikes, which many citizens blame for worsening the cost of living and shrinking household incomes.

"Basic commodities such as cooking oil, sugar and fuel have seen significant price increases, prompting complaints from consumers and small-scale traders alike who feel abandoned by policymakers," said the report.

Analysts were also quoted saying the shoe-hurling incident may reflect a symbolic act of defiance. "It's a reflection of bottled-up anger," said political commentator Virginia Wanjiru."When people feel unheard, such actions, while not justifiable, become expressions of extreme frustration," Wanjiru said.

Others said the government should view the incident not as an isolated act of indiscipline, but as a warning sign of deeper societal unrest.

Nairobi resident Brian Mwangi, a small business owner, said the shoe thrown at Ruto reflects the desperation of the people. "We are tired," he said. "That was not just a shoe, it was defiance. While I don't condone violence, it's a wake-up call for our leaders to listen to the citizens' plight."

The incident, they added has raised concerns across East Africa about the security of public officials and the increasing tension between the government and its citizens.

The BBC also gave the story prominence, quoting Mwaura describing the assault as "shameful" incident. They said a widely shared video clip showed the footwear striking the president's left arm as he held it aloft while he was speaking.

Some MPs who criticised the shoe-throwing were also highlighted describing it as a major security lapse, while Dennis Itumbi, an official in the president's office, described the incident as a "moment that got out of hand" suggesting that it happened by accident.

On Facebook, he shared a video taken from a different angle, which he said showed a person lifting a shoe "in jest, pretending to be a camera" and another person slapping it away, "annoyed that the 'shoe-cam' blocked his view". "Unfortunately, it flew forward... straight toward the president," he said.

While the views of some ordinary Kenyans chime with the feeling that the shoe-throwing was disrespectful, others have suggested that it reflected frustrations over the state of the economy.

Security lapse

Nelson Koech, an MP in the president's party of United Democratic Alliance (UDA), said Sunday's incident was an "affront to our democracy" adding that "we have taken a joke too far".

"You can imagine if that shoe was a bullet... people joke about the security of the president. It took a very bold step for someone to take their shoe and throw it at the president. We must secure the head of state," said Koech.

France 24 Nairobi correspondent Olivia Bizot, described the event as "Kenya's government a 'shameful' incident" adding that it prompted questions over security issues," and added that beyond the viral moment is a snapshot of the frustration and political tension simmering across the country.

The Times of India also reported that the government has introduced several fiscal reforms, including new tax measures under the Finance Act, which have stirred public discontent.

The mass circulation argued that while the administration touts the reforms as necessary for economic stability and debt reduction, the burden has fallen disproportionately on low-and middle-income households.

Locally, The Standard in its Editorial, called for a step up of the president's security. The paper said the president is exposed and his security must be taken a notch higher.

"That said, the president's attacker perhaps drew strength from the fact similar incidents against other leaders at political rallies are routinely ignored.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been attacked several times and police have taken no action," The Standard wrote.

Meanwhile, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has lauded the police for acting swiftly in arresting the culprits, as he promised that investigations are underway to find out the exact motive of the incident.