Bien reveals how much owner of a winning bull in Luhya bullfighting takes home
By Valerian Khakayi, December 4, 2025Award-winning musician Bien Aimé Baraza has given a rare look into the world of Luhya bullfighting, revealing how much money the owner of a winning bull pockets after a successful fight.
Speaking during a candid conversation with the Mic Cheque podcast in an episode aired on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, Bien disclosed that he named his bull after the Kenyan boy band Sauti Sol.
However, the bull has not yet participated in any fight, since it is still undergoing training. He added that he previously had another bull known as Shisundi, a name inspired by the Luhya word for darkness.
“Niko na bull nilikuwa na mbili moja inaitwa Shisundi ni ya black, kwa kiluhya darkness inamaanishi Shisundi na yengine Sauti Sol,” Bien revealed.
“Shisundi iliuzwa lakini Sauti sol ndio imebaki na inaundergo training.”
Bullfight
According to Bien, bullfighting is a deeply rooted cultural sport in Kakamega County, especially in areas like Ikolomani and Khayega, where matches are held every Saturday morning.
The bigger league fights usually take place in local markets, attracting huge crowds and heavy betting.
“The only place yenye iko na bullfighting ni Ikolomani , Khayega, Kakamega County, every Saturday asubuhi,” he explained.
“The big league fight hufanyika kwa soko.”
When asked how a winner is determined, Bien said there are several indicators and the amount the owner of the winning bull pockets.
“Kuna odds mingi watu hubet, bull inaweza dunda imechapwa, inaweza heap iende kwa wasee,kuna odds za how many times zita lock horns, bull ikisukumwa nyuma kabisa,” he revealed.
“Fight moja ni Ksh25k, bull. Ikishinda unalipwa Ksh50k then unalipa Ksh5k kwa association alafu unachukua Ksh45k unaenda nayo.”
The My Enemies Are Suffering hitmaker also mentioned that Senator Boni Khalwale, popularly known as the “Bullfighter”, owns one of the most successful champion bulls in the region.
“Boni Khalwale ako na bull yenye ni champion,” he revealed.
He further revealed that bulls are often trained by children within the community, who understand how to handle and mould them into strong fighters.
“Bulls are trained to fight by children,” he stated.
He added that for years he has been thinking about making bullfighting more structured and modern, possibly with an official league that fans can bet on, similar to how people place bets on football matches.
“Nimekuwa nikifikiria sana kuweka hiyo bullfighting kwa league mnaweza bet because kama unawatch AFC basically unaweza watch bullfighting,” Bien added.