Migori County is once again in the spotlight for the wrong reasons after President William Ruto was struck with a shoe while addressing a crowd at Kehancha Grounds in Kuria West Constituency.

The incident, which unfolded mid-speech as the President spoke about lowering the cost of living, echoed a similar 2013 episode when former President Uhuru Kenyatta was hit with slippers at Migori Primary Grounds during a malaria treatment campaign.

Eyewitnesses say President Ruto was hit on the hand by the flying shoe, momentarily pausing his address.

Ironically, Kuria East and Kuria West—where the incident occurred—were among his strongest support bases in the 2022 general election, with both area MPs elected on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.

The disruption has drawn comparisons to other historical moments of political protest, including the 2008 incident where former U.S. President George W. Bush was famously attacked with a shoe during a press conference in Iraq.

While the motive behind the Kehancha incident remains unclear, political analysts suggest it may prompt a re-evaluation of the President’s grassroots support and engagement strategy, even in regions that overwhelmingly backed him.

No official statement had been released by State House or local law enforcement at the time of reporting.