H_art the Band’s beloved hit Uliza Kiatu has found new relevance online after Kenyans linked it to a security incident involving President William Ruto in Migori County, where a shoe was hurled at him during a public address.
The song, whose title translates to “ask my shoe,” became a focal point for digital conversations, with social media users drawing creative parallels between the track’s metaphor and the moment captured on video.
The phrase was reinterpreted by many Kenyans in light of the incident, sparking a flurry of humorous and creative content.
Within hours, X (formerly Twitter) was awash with memes, short clips, and humorous posts.
Hi Siri,
Please Cue H_art The Band’s Uliza Kiatu’
Siri: Delightfully! pic.twitter.com/zhqqVveL3s
— Nyandia Gachago, ACIM (@Nyandia_G) May 4, 2025
Released nearly a decade ago, Uliza Kiatu is known for its poetic lyrics that reflect on the sacrifices people make in relationships.
The song blends spoken word poetry with Afro-pop, marking a defining moment in the early career of H_art the Band.
The metaphor in the song suggests that only the wearer of a shoe understands the journey they have walked.
On YouTube, the song currently stands at over 4.8 million views.
The comment section saw a spike in activity after the video of the incident was shared widely.
Some users timestamped their visits with remarks such as, “Najua mko hapa wote after that incident,” while others referenced the date directly.
One user wrote, “Watching on 4th May 2025, the day someone decided to throw a shoe at the president. Kweni mulikuwa mmeona future?”
The incident occurred in Kehancha, where the President was concluding his speech on the first day of his visit to the county.
A member of the crowd hurled a shoe toward the podium, momentarily interrupting the address.
The president instinctively raised his hands in response. His security detail quickly intervened, arresting the individual.
President Ruto then ordered the man to be released.