Kirwa urges Ruto to reconsider sunroof campaigns, citing political intolerance
Former Cabinet Minister Kipruto Kirwa has challenged President William Ruto to a rethinking of his sunroof addresses during political gatherings, citing the prevalent political intolerance in the country following the incident where a shoe was hurled at him in Migori County on Sunday, May 4, 2025.
Speaking during a live TV interview on Monday, May 5, 2025, Kirwa, while condemning the act, expressed his concerns about the president’s habit of addressing crowds from the top of his vehicle during his tours of the country.
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Kirwa maintains that the act poses considerable dangers as it leaves the president exposed to the masses.
“There is a high level of political intolerance because if you’re to look at the comments on social media immediately after he was hit. People were making very interesting comments as if saying they should have done more. For me, we should at all times disagree with a measure of decency.” Kirwa opined.
“This issue of addressing people from the roof of the car. I feel it’s good for politics as they play with some gimmicks to show us it is a big crowd but let the president be presidential. I feel sometimes he forgets he is the president of the republic. Of course, there is a way to be presidential. He should not come to our level. We have already exalted him to that level,“ he stated.
Additionally, the politician also called for the security detail around the president to step up in their job after what he termed as over-exposing the head of state.
“The security of the head of state is one that everyone should be concerned about. We urge those involved with the security to improve their surveillance and expose him less,” he opined.
Kirwa’s remarks add to the growing concern that followed the startling breach of presidential security in Migori County on Sunday, May 5, 2025.
While commenting on the Kitutu Chache South Member of Parliament, Anthony Kibagendi warned that President William Ruto could have been assassinated had the individual who hurled a shoe at him had been armed with a more dangerous weapon.
“Genuinely speaking, that was unfortunate and irresponsible of whoever tried to do that. While we have political differences, it shouldn’t get to the point that we want to harm the President of the Republic,” Kibagendi stated during an interview with a local TV station.
On her part, Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris rebuked and labelled the stunt as disrespectful and diversionary to the meaningful dialogue of the nation.
“Throwing a shoe at the President is not protest, it’s provocation. I strongly condemn the unfortunate incident in Migori,” Passaris posted in a late-night message.
Labelling the stunt as both disrespectful and dangerous, the Nairobi lawmaker insisted that such theatrics threaten to distract from meaningful political discourse and unity.
“This disgraceful act by a lone agitator does not reflect the values or aspirations of Kenyans. Let us not allow such distractions to derail our focus as a resilient nation, led by a President who remains committed and undeterred in his service to the people. We must rise above hate and thrive through peace,” Passaris added.
