President William Ruto and his deputy Kithure Kindiki bought goats worth Ksh15 million during the 10th edition of the Kimalel goat auction in Baringo on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
During the auction which brought together more than 4,000 goats in one market according to Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi, Ruto bought 700 goats at a cost of Ksh15,000 each while Kindiki got 300.
In the end, Ruto, who usually insists on cash payments during the auctions parted with Ksh10.5 million while Kindiki forked Ksh4.5 million to the goat farmers.
Former CS Chelugui
Other prominent leaders who accompanied Ruto to the two-day event which started on Monday, December 16-17, 2024, included former Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui who spent Ksh3 million after he purchased 200 goats and the Senate leader of the Majority party Aaron Cheruiyot who spent Ksh1.5 million after buying 100 goats.
Similarly, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika spent Ksh1.5 million for 100 goats, Baringo Governor got 100 goats, ICT PS John Tanui bought 100, while the 32-year-old Mogotio MP Reuben Kiborek spent Ksh1.05 million for the 70 goats he bought.
Leader of the Majority party in the National Assembly Kimani Ichung’wah spent Ksh750,000 after buying 50 goats at the public goats auction.
During last year’s 9th Kimalel Goat auction, Ruto and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua bought 1,000 goats at Ksh15,000 each while other leaders got a bargain, buying the goats at Ksh13,000 each.
In a matter of minutes, the ceremony was over, with the goat sellers raking in over Ksh40 million in a single day’s sales.
“I want us to buy goats now and I am not going to accept any cheques from the buyers. Only cash transactions,” Ruto said during the 9th edition of the Kimalel goat auction.
“Together with my deputy, we are buying 1,000 goats at Ksh15,000 each, while the other buyers can purchase at Ksh13,000 as they have agreed,” Ruto indicated.
Ruto on Vaccination drive
During the ceremony, Ruto urged the residents to embrace vaccination of their bovine animals to make them attract higher prices in the regional and international markets.
“I want to ask leaders who have no knowledge and understanding to spare us their ignorance because they can’t continue to mislead the country,” Ruto said.
“So that we can access markets and get better prices for our farmers, it is important that we stick to international standards of disease control and that is why we are conducting a national campaign on vaccination so as to reduce disease prevalence.”
