The Kimalel goat auction in Baringo County resumed Saturday with pomp and colour after more than a ten-year break.
More than Sh24 million was raised in less than one hour during the re-launch ceremony presided over by President Uhuru Kenyatta, deputy William Ruto and former President Daniel arap Moi.
In one of his bids, President Kenyatta bought 200 goats valued at Sh1.6 million while his deputy bought 150 goats in one bid costing Sh1.2 million.
And, in a show of gratitude to former president Moi, President Kenyatta and his deputy gave him 100 goats as his Christmas present.
President Kenyatta, who took home about 300 goats, called on pastoralist communities in Baringo County to discard retrogressive cultural practices like cattle rustling and focus more on educating their children.
“There’s nothing traditional about theft. Theft is theft. We all like our culture but we should discard archaic practices like raiding your neighbours for livestock in this digital era,” said Mr Kenyatta.
Mr Kenyatta issued notice to bandits and other organised criminal gangs in the country intending to terrorise Kenyans during the festive season
The President noted that each of the 47 counties has its own unique resources, challenging county governments to identify and harness them to uplift the livelihoods of the people.
Mr Kenyatta said the Kimalel auction was aimed at uplifting the economic livelihoods of locals and lauded the county government’s efforts to revive the auction.
He raised concern over the flare-ups in Southern Sudan and promised that the Kenyan government would support peace initiatives in the war-torn nation by deploying more Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
In apparent reference to the warring leaders, Mr Kenyatta called on President Salva Kir and his former vice Riek Machar to sit together and dialogue to end bloodshed in a country that spent over 40 years struggling for independence.
Mr Barng’etuny passed away in Nairobi on Friday. There was a one minute silence during the meeting in his honour.
“It is said that he has gone to be with the Lord. We regret that he will not be with us to witness the comeback of the auction which he had a lot of passion for,” said Mr Moi.
Mr Ruto commended retired president Moi for setting up projects countrywide which he said it helped unite Kenyans irrespective of their ethnic or political affiliations.
“The government will continue assisting county governments to harness resources within their jurisdictions to their full potential to improve the economic livelihoods of the people,” said Mr Ruto.
The antics which were the norm when the auction was at its peak in the 1990s was reflected during the Saturday fair, with Mr Ruto jokingly requesting President Kenyatta to buy him a goat as it was his birthday.
“I will buy you one goat but my birthday passed without you giving any present. Anyway, next year we will meet right here and you will buy me one. I will also buy one for Mzee Moi,”said Mr Kenyatta jokingly.
Kimalel goat auction was started by retired president Moi in 1986 and was aimed at improving the livelihoods of Baringo county residents.
However, the auction went under when Mr Moi and Kanu heavyweights relinquished power in 2002.
By the time it collapsed, the project which was the brainchild of the former president had seen more than Sh50 million raised from the sale of about 31,863 goats, 2,518 sheep and 180 cows.
