'Zakayo shoe-ka': Kenyans flood social media with memes after shoe hits Ruto in Migori

Kenyans on social media have flooded timelines with jokes, memes and biting remarks after President William Ruto was hit by a flying shoe during a rally in Migori County on Sunday, May 4.

In a viral video, Ruto is seen flinching as a black shoe hurtles towards him while he addresses residents of Kehancha.

He swiftly blocks the shoe with his hand before it sails past and lands behind him, momentarily halting his speech about tackling the high cost of living.

The online buzz was instant, with hashtags like #ZakayoShoeKa and #UlizaKiatu trending as Kenyans made light of the incident.

“Uliza Kiatu finally makes sense after Zakayo nearly caught one with his forehead. Migori is undefeated,” joked @iam_dan on X.

@MauMauGrandSon added, “Migori has officially launched the 'Shoe Must Go' campaign. Zakayo better wear a helmet.”

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Many compared the scene to the famous 2008 moment when an Iraqi journalist threw shoes at then-U.S. President George Bush, with some calling it Migori’s own "George Bush moment."

“Onyango from Migori didn’t just throw a shoe; he threw the entire frustration of a suffering nation,” said @CoachRaymondN.

Music lovers pointed out that the song Uliza Kiatu by H_Art the Band saw a massive spike in views, thanks to the unexpected publicity. City Digest reported a surge of 250,000 new streams within hours.

This is not Migori’s first brush with shoe-throwing politics. In 2014, then President Uhuru Kenyatta faced a similar incident at Migori Primary School, underscoring the county’s reputation for fiery political expression.

Political analyst Eric Nyamweya said, “While people laugh, acts like these highlight simmering public resentment. A shoe is symbolic—it’s not just about anger but humiliation.”

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen has since confirmed three suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident, as Ruto’s security team beefed up measures ahead of his next stops in Nyanza.

The president is on a three-day tour of the Nyanza region.