CALEB MWENDWA MUSYOKI
From flying footwear to a fatal bow-and-arrow attack near State House, President William Ruto's time in office has been punctuated by several dramatic security incidents that have drawn national and international attention.
1. The "Kehancha Shoe Incident" (May 2025)
Perhaps the most bizarre incident occurred on May 4, 2025, when President Ruto was addressing a rally in Kehancha town, Migori County, during a four-day working tour of the region .
As the President spoke about the government's efforts to reduce the cost of living, a shoe was hurled toward him from the crowd. Videos circulating on social media showed President Ruto deftly blocking the flying footwear with his arm, kicking up a small cloud of dust. He appeared uninjured and continued his speech without interruption .
The government's reaction was swift. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed that three individuals were arrested in connection with the incident . However, Dennis Itumbi, a senior official in the president's office, offered a novel explanation: he claimed the shoe was thrown accidentally when a member of the crowd holding up a shoe as a "mock camera" had it pushed away by an onlooker whose view was blocked .
Four young men would eventually be identified as the prime suspects in what became known as the "Kehancha Shoe Incident." They were detained for 14 days before being released on KSh 100,000 bond each. The four face potential charges of treason and incitement—charges that carry severe penalties, including the death penalty under Kenyan law .
2. The State House Bow-and-Arrow Attack (October 2025)
Just five months later, a far more serious incident unfolded at one of Kenya's most heavily guarded locations—the official residence of the President.
On the morning of October 13, 2025, at approximately 8:10 a.m., a 56-year-old man armed with a bow and arrows approached police officers stationed near State House Gate D on Dennis Pritt Road in Nairobi .
According to the National Police Service (NPS), officers challenged the man to surrender. Instead, he advanced and shot Police Constable Ramadhan Mattanka in the left ribs with an arrow. The injured officer was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital but succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment .
The attacker was swiftly subdued by other General Service Unit (GSU) officers on duty. Reports indicate the suspect may have disguised himself as a homeless person, carrying the weapons in a sack .
Police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga condemned the heinous act, commending officers for their swift response "which prevented further harm." The NPS extended condolences to Constable Mattanka's family, noting that he "paid the ultimate price in the line of duty" .
The attack raised immediate questions about possible security lapses, given that State House is supposed to be one of the most secure locations in the country. The NPS launched an investigation to establish the motive behind the unprecedented attack .
This was not an isolated attempt to breach State House. In June 2025, during Gen Z protests, youth attempted to access the installation. In March 2025, a dozen young people tried to enter State House to have lunch with the President. Similar incidents occurred in 2019 and 2017 .
3. The Lang'ata Bottle Incident (April 2026)
The most recent incident occurred on April 28, 2026, during President Ruto's development tour of Lang'ata Constituency in Nairobi .
What happened: The President was inspecting the ongoing construction of the 4,600-unit Soweto Affordable Housing Project, a key flagship programme of the Kenya Kwanza administration. He was walking alongside area MP Jalang'o, his security detail, and government officials, accompanied by hundreds of residents .
In a moment captured on video, a white object was thrown from behind the crowd. Security personnel quickly moved to shield the President, forming a protective cordon around him. They unsuccessfully searched the area for the suspect and the thrown object .
The incident sparked immediate reactions on social media platforms in Kenya. Some attributed it to "political fatigue" and tensions stemming from differing political allegiances. Others expressed concern about increasing disrespect toward the presidency .
Together, these three incidents paint a picture of heightened political tension and public frustration during President Ruto's tenure. What began with a symbolic shoe, escalated to a fatal bow-and-arrow attack on a guard at the President's own residence, and most recently manifested as projectiles thrown during a public tour.
1. The "Kehancha Shoe Incident" (May 2025)
Perhaps the most bizarre incident occurred on May 4, 2025, when President Ruto was addressing a rally in Kehancha town, Migori County, during a four-day working tour of the region .
As the President spoke about the government's efforts to reduce the cost of living, a shoe was hurled toward him from the crowd. Videos circulating on social media showed President Ruto deftly blocking the flying footwear with his arm, kicking up a small cloud of dust. He appeared uninjured and continued his speech without interruption .
The government's reaction was swift. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed that three individuals were arrested in connection with the incident . However, Dennis Itumbi, a senior official in the president's office, offered a novel explanation: he claimed the shoe was thrown accidentally when a member of the crowd holding up a shoe as a "mock camera" had it pushed away by an onlooker whose view was blocked .
Four young men would eventually be identified as the prime suspects in what became known as the "Kehancha Shoe Incident." They were detained for 14 days before being released on KSh 100,000 bond each. The four face potential charges of treason and incitement—charges that carry severe penalties, including the death penalty under Kenyan law .
2. The State House Bow-and-Arrow Attack (October 2025)
Just five months later, a far more serious incident unfolded at one of Kenya's most heavily guarded locations—the official residence of the President.
On the morning of October 13, 2025, at approximately 8:10 a.m., a 56-year-old man armed with a bow and arrows approached police officers stationed near State House Gate D on Dennis Pritt Road in Nairobi .
According to the National Police Service (NPS), officers challenged the man to surrender. Instead, he advanced and shot Police Constable Ramadhan Mattanka in the left ribs with an arrow. The injured officer was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital but succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment .
The attacker was swiftly subdued by other General Service Unit (GSU) officers on duty. Reports indicate the suspect may have disguised himself as a homeless person, carrying the weapons in a sack .
Police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga condemned the heinous act, commending officers for their swift response "which prevented further harm." The NPS extended condolences to Constable Mattanka's family, noting that he "paid the ultimate price in the line of duty" .
The attack raised immediate questions about possible security lapses, given that State House is supposed to be one of the most secure locations in the country. The NPS launched an investigation to establish the motive behind the unprecedented attack .
This was not an isolated attempt to breach State House. In June 2025, during Gen Z protests, youth attempted to access the installation. In March 2025, a dozen young people tried to enter State House to have lunch with the President. Similar incidents occurred in 2019 and 2017 .
3. The Lang'ata Bottle Incident (April 2026)
The most recent incident occurred on April 28, 2026, during President Ruto's development tour of Lang'ata Constituency in Nairobi .
What happened: The President was inspecting the ongoing construction of the 4,600-unit Soweto Affordable Housing Project, a key flagship programme of the Kenya Kwanza administration. He was walking alongside area MP Jalang'o, his security detail, and government officials, accompanied by hundreds of residents .
In a moment captured on video, a white object was thrown from behind the crowd. Security personnel quickly moved to shield the President, forming a protective cordon around him. They unsuccessfully searched the area for the suspect and the thrown object .
The incident sparked immediate reactions on social media platforms in Kenya. Some attributed it to "political fatigue" and tensions stemming from differing political allegiances. Others expressed concern about increasing disrespect toward the presidency .
Together, these three incidents paint a picture of heightened political tension and public frustration during President Ruto's tenure. What began with a symbolic shoe, escalated to a fatal bow-and-arrow attack on a guard at the President's own residence, and most recently manifested as projectiles thrown during a public tour.
