President William Ruto’s Mt. Kenya Development Tour Faces Controversy Over Security Incident
President William Ruto is currently on a development tour of the Mt. Kenya region. On the first day of his visit, he launched several development projects and engaged with local residents in Nyeri and Laikipia. However, a video capturing a tense encounter between Ruto’s security and a woman has sparked widespread outrage online, with many criticizing the response.
TUKO.co.ke journalist Ivan Mboto, who has over three years of experience reporting on Kenyan politics and current affairs, reports that the president’s tour began on Tuesday, April 1, with a focus on addressing residents’ concerns and promoting local development. The president visited Laikipia and Nyeri counties, where he launched several initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure and boosting the economy.
While most of the visit centered on development and public engagement, a troubling incident quickly gained attention. In a now-viral video, a woman in a yellow shirt is seen rushing toward the president as part of a crowd greeting him. However, Ruto’s security team appeared to act aggressively, forcefully shoving the woman to the ground in what many have described as an excessive response.
The video has ignited heated debates online, with many questioning the level of aggression used against a citizen who simply wanted to greet the president. Netizens have expressed concern over how the situation was handled, with many criticizing the overzealous approach to managing the crowd.
Kenyans React to the Incident:
- @Chaguas1: “The clip shows how excessive admiration for politicians can create a disconnect. It’s unfortunate that the woman, who only wanted to greet the president, was treated this way.”
- @matasi_arnold: “Why was the woman shoved to the ground, but the officers near the president weren’t pushed aside?”
- @JMireri: “That was over the top, but why was the woman rushing for a handshake at that moment?”
- @Xavi_ourBlupoet: “Sometimes people get emotional, but did the president have to walk over everyone just to greet them?”
- @Yolosh: “Why did she even go there? She could have stayed home.”
- @Damah_NK: “If it was closer to an election, Ruto would’ve helped her up and maybe even invited her to State House.”
This incident has raised serious concerns about the treatment of citizens during public events, with many urging for better handling of such situations in the future.