Migori shoe incident: Murkomen reveals the new scope of investigation
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has updated the country on the scope of investigations following the incident where a man hurled a shoe at President William Ruto in Kuria West, Migori County.
The incident happened as Ruto addressed residents of the Kehancha area on Sunday, May 4, 2025.
Addressing the press on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, CS Murkomen maintained that Ruto’s security cannot be taken for granted, explaining that investigative officers had since narrowed down the probe to ensure all angles are explored to get to the bottom of the matter.
According to the CS, the investigative officers will seek to establish if there was any motive or intention to harm the president.
The Presidential Escort Unit (PEU) would also be put under scrutiny, as investigative officers will also explore if there was a security lapse.
“That is something under investigation to show whether there was a real security lapse or whether there was intention or motive to harm the president, or it was a different issue,” Murkomen, who made a security tour in Meru County, explained.
“So the investigation is ongoing, but Kenyans need to know that the security of the president is a matter of national security, and it cannot be taken for granted.”
“It is not easy to take for granted the security of the president because of the consequences that can ensue if a president is harmed in any way,” he insisted.
From a viral video, a person in the crowd was captured holding up a dusty shoe amidst a sea of mobile phones held high in the air, recording Ruto’s speech.
As Ruto began to say, “Tulisema kwanza, tupunguze gharama ya…” a different man was recorded slapping away the shoe, which inadvertently flew towards the president.
Arrests made
Despite some Ruto allies downplaying the incident, three people were apprehended in connection with the incident.
According to an OB follow-up report filed at Kehancha Police Station, Kuria West Sub-County, an 18-year-old man was identified as the person caught on camera throwing the shoe at the head of state.
The other two found themselves in trouble after they were caught heckling the president as he addressed the residents.
“Ref. OB 19/04/05/2025 and note that the following three suspects have been arrested and are aiding in investigations…. Paul Mutongori Marwa, a Kuria male adult aged 18 years. He is the suspect caught on camera throwing a shoe at the president. Ezron Muherai Mwita, a Kuria male adult aged 22 years, and Nicholas Sangonyi Mwita, a Kuria male adult aged 20 years,” the report read.
“The second and third were heckling while the head of state was delivering his speech. All three are from Kuria West, Komasincha, and Taranganya. All three were arrested at Kehancha town, Smile Bar. Case PBC with DCI Kuria West dealing.”
