State House digital strategist Dennis Itumbi has dismissed reports claiming that President William Ruto was deliberately struck by a shoe during an event in Migori County. Offering a fresh perspective on the viral incident, Itumbi described it as a misunderstanding, emphasizing that it was a playful act gone awry.
Alternative Footage Offers Clarity
Sharing a new video through his official communication channels, Itumbi presented an alternative angle of the moment, which sheds light on the seconds leading up to the unexpected occurrence.
The footage, captured from the front of the stage, shows a man in the audience holding up a dusty shoe as President Ruto addressed the crowd. Amidst the sea of raised smartphones capturing the event, the man humorously pretended to use the shoe as a recording device, positioning it in landscape mode, mimicking a phone.
As the President began his statement, “Tulisema kwanza, tupunguze gharama ya…,” another man, seemingly annoyed by the shoe blocking his view, swatted it away. Unfortunately, the shoe flew directly towards the President, landing on his face.
“A Joke That Spiraled Out of Control”
Itumbi, known for his spin on contentious moments, described the incident as an unintended mishap.
“A funny joke spiraled out of control,” he explained. “As others were recording with their phones, one individual without a phone humorously held up his shoe. Another person, frustrated with the obstruction, slapped the shoe, which accidentally hit the President.”
Itumbi further asked for help in identifying the man behind the now-infamous “shoe-cam,” revealing that a friend, Sam Mburu, intended to gift the individual a smartphone for his ingenuity.
“Let’s find this creative individual. We want to channel that creativity into actual content creation using a real camera next time,” Itumbi added.
Security Concerns and Arrests
Following the incident, security officers promptly acted to restore order, pushing the crowd away from the dais despite the President urging them to stop. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed the arrest of three individuals as part of an ongoing investigation.
“The arrests are part of a broader inquiry to determine whether this was an isolated case or part of a deliberate security breach,” Murkomen said.
The brief disruption occurred during President Ruto’s tour of Migori County, with the incident sparking debate online about presidential security and public conduct.
Online Reactions
While the clarification helped diffuse tensions, the internet continued to buzz with memes and puns about the “shoe incident.” Kenyans, known for their quick wit, turned the mishap into a trending topic across social media platforms.
Conclusion
The Migori event may have been momentarily disrupted, but it has since turned into a humorous anecdote, with even government officials finding levity in the situation.
