Kitutu Chache South MP: Ruto would have been killed if Migori attacker had a gun

A day after a startling breach of presidential security in Migori County, Kitutu Chache South Member of Parliament Anthony Kibagendi has warned that President William Ruto could have been assassinated had the individual who hurled a shoe at him on Sunday, May 4, 2025, been armed with a more dangerous weapon.

In a TV interview on Monday morning, May 5, 2025, Kibagendi decried the attempted assault on the President as unfortunate and irresponsible, calling for urgent attention to the safety of elected leaders.

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“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 said.

The incident occurred in Kuria West, where President Ruto was addressing residents as part of a government development tour.

As the head of state spoke on economic reforms, a shoe was launched from the crowd, striking him on the upper body.

Video footage captured the moment as Ruto instinctively raised his hand to block the object, pausing only briefly before continuing his address.

“When you see someone do this, it means it is something they had thought about. Just imagine if indeed they had a proper weapon — a gun or a pistol. It means they would have taken out the President. And you know what that would mean — people would have died there in numbers. And number two, what would that cost the nation?” The MP continued.

The shoe-throwing has since ignited a national conversation about political tensions, respect for the presidency, and growing discontent toward the government.

While Kibagendi acknowledged public frustration, he urged that extreme political grievances must not escalate into acts of violence.

“While we have these extreme differences, we need to be realistic in the way we do things. We shouldn’t get to the level that someone wants to harm anyone in whatever way,” he said.

Kibagendi further attributed the rising hostility toward government figures to public dissatisfaction, but reiterated that dissent should not manifest through physical aggression.

“You know the regular hostile attitudes by Kenyans towards the government, the President and those in government is because they’ve kind of nauseated the entire nation because of what they have done. But it shouldn’t get to that point where someone throws a shoe or whatever object to any leader—and particularly the presidency. That was unfortunate, that was irresponsible, and we need to guard or improve on the security of our leaders,” he noted.

In drawing a chilling parallel, Kibagendi referenced the recent assassination of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were, calling it a stark warning that even heavily guarded leaders are vulnerable.

“It is saddening that we have gotten to the point where even Members of Parliament that actually have bodyguards can be targeted in this manner, where they are executed by properly trained people. This means there are people out here that can actually go all the way up,” he stated.

“We’ve seen what has happened to the President and it’s something that we must speak about. We must improve on our security—not just the security of Members of Parliament or Chief Executives or even the President. Everyone’s security is paramount,” Kibagendi added.

The MP concluded by appealing for national unity, urging Kenyans to resist anger-driven violence and instead engage constructively.

“We need to be alive to the fact that while we are angry with the nation, while we are angry with whoever you are competing against, we shouldn’t get to the point of harming each other.”

As investigations into the Migori incident continue, the attack has underscored long-standing concerns about political polarisation, presidential protection, and the limits of public dissent in the country’s democratic space.