In the high-stakes arena of Kenyan politics, few have endured the political storms and literal flying objects like President William Samoei Ruto.
Rising from humble beginnings to the highest office in the land, Ruto’s career has been anything but smooth, punctuated by vitriolic opposition, courtroom drama, and, as history records, moments where his very life hung in the balance.
Three Kenyan opposition politicians were on September 22, 2007, injured by attackers hurling rocks and firing arrows when they arrived uninvited at a rural fundraiser organised by supporters of the then president.
The three allies of Raila Odinga, who was the top challenger expected to face President Mwai Kibaki at polls in December that year, suffered cuts, bruises and torn clothes after landing by helicopter.
Young men in purple tunics wielding clubs and bows and arrows charged at the officials from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as they arrived at the event.
Incumbent President William Ruto, was among the trio forced to flee from the fund-raiser organised by the then roads Minister Simeon Nyachae.
Mr. Ruto and his colleagues, who included the member of parliament for the area in western Kisii District, said they were entitled to attend the gathering, which had been called by Kibaki's supporters to raise money for local youths.
"We did not invite them to the meeting and we are not to blame for what befell them," Roads Minister Simeon Nyachae, chief guest at the fundraiser was quoted saying.
A few years later still in Kisii, the Suneka area of Bonchari erupted in October 2021during a by-election campaign visit by Ruto, then deputy president.
Clashes between Ruto’s supporters and those allied to ODM devolved into street skirmishes. Witnesses reported running battles involving stones, clubs, and injuries.
Ruto blamed deep state interference while his allies pointed fingers at police bias. The clash laid bare the tribal and party-political friction that continues to mar elections in parts of Kenya.
In 2020, a man attempted to attack then Deputy President William Ruto as he was leaving an event at Rurii Stadium, in Mathioya, Murang'a County.
The man who walked towards DP Ruto as he was heading to his vehicle confronted him and lifted his hand in apparent attempt to attack but was stopped by the DP’s security and pinned to the ground.
Ruto took a step back as the man approached him menacingly. The threat neutralised, he smiled with a gesture to indicate he was okay.
Fast forward to 10th November 2021, It was a bad day for Ruto who had just had a smooth run across the country for weeks, in his quest to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Ruto was on his second day of a tour of the larger Nyanza region, the political backyard of Raila Odinga – his fiercest opponent for the 2022 presidential contest.
Upon reaching his final stop in Kisumu, at a place called Kondele, all hell broke loose. The deputy president, who stood through the sunroof of his official car, had a hard time addressing the rowdy crowd, as his motorcade was pelted with stones.
Most recently, May 4, 2025 during President William Ruto’s development tour of Migori County, the head of state narrowly escaped injury after a shoe was hurled at him while addressing a public gathering in Kehancha town.
A viral video published by JULISHA.CO.KE shows the president reacting swiftly, deflecting the shoe mid-air as it passed through his security detail. The incident happened just moments after President Ruto began delivering a speech focused on the reduction of farming input costs for local farmers.
The sudden disruption forced the president to pause his address briefly. Despite the commotion, President Ruto resumed his speech shortly after.
Ruto's political journey is one of triumphs in the midst of controversy and attacks, it's a survival mechanism that saw him rise to the top seat.
