By Manuel Odeny

Leaders from the minority Kuria community in Migori county have apologised to President William Ruto and Kenyans over the infamous Sunday incident where a shoe was hurled at the presidential Dias while the head of state was speaking.

Kuria leaders led by Principle Secretary for Social Protection and Senior Citizens Joseph Motari and Migori Deputy Governor Joseph Mahiri distanced themselves from the incident citing it an isolated and not a coordinated ordeal

Speaking to the press in Kehancha town, the leaders came out to strongly condemned the incident.

The incident that was recorded in a circulated video clips, saw President Ruto blocking a shoe thrown at him from a midst a mammoth of crowd he was addressing in a public gathering at Kehancha municipal grounds.

The President who is on his three-day development tour in Migori County was met by unfortunate occurrence after he has just launched affordable housing project in Kehancha town.

“As leaders and as a community, we did not plan neither are aware of such motives to humiliate the head of state,” he said.

“We are trying to dig around to figure out what transpired; whose hands are involved and what was the main motive behind the action. It is very unfortunate that this happens when the president makes his first visit in this town and met with such behaviours,” he added.

Further, the PS revealed that from the information they had, those involved are youths who at the time of the address were already in the police custody.

He added that at the time of the incident the suspects were seen to be under the influence of alcohol and hence probe the question who might have sponsored them.

Additionally he revealed that should the incident have been a planned one, he should have known it earlier and intervened to prevent the presidential attack.

Notably, during the press briefing both Kuria West and Kuria East members of parliament skipped the event, which raise the eyebrow and questions as to why they were missing.

PS Motari however, refuted possibility of supremacy wars between the two local leaders who were not present during the press-briefing to condemn the president’s attack.

“I am not aware of any supremacy wars between two local leaders because I am not in war with anybody. That is why we are digging with the security agencies to find the real perpetrators,” stated the PS.

Mahiri extended his gratitude to the president for his continued support to the community, expressed his concerned about the humiliation the president received.

“It should not be labeled that the entire Kuria community threw a shoe at the president, but just few misled individuals whose motives are yet to be known,” he said.

“On behalf of the entire Kuria community, I am extending my deepest apologies to the president. The community did not plan the incident which is very embarrassing. The entire community will curse the offenders,” stated Dr Mahiri.

He further highlighted that their love for President Ruto dates back from his time as a deputy president and will extend way beyond the next general election up to 2032.

Mahiri revealed that they will hold a community dialogue to asses that aftermath of what transpired.

Makerero area Member of County Assembly Patrick Marwa while speaking on behalf the youth, noted that as Kuria youths they had to restrain themselves and not react to the incident and allow the security agencies to do their job.

He revealed that they did not want to bring more shame to the president despite their frustrations.

He added that it was such embarrassing that the president is mistreated in his area during his first visit as the Head of State.

“On behalf of Kuria youths, i expressed my deepest regrets to the president for our unbecoming behavior. However, will also dig out and bring those responsible to the book. They must be held accountable to their individual actions,” said the MCA.

President Ruto continues with his development tour in Migori County for the second day where is expected to launch several projects in Uriri, Awendo, Rongo and Nyatike constituency.

He is also expected to return to Kuria region on Tuesday where he will inspect Ntimaru ESP market and launch affordable housing project in Ntimaru town, before issuing a school bus to Gokeharaka secondary school in Kuria west constituency.