Jubilee merger a tricky affair in the Rift Valley

Gospel Artiste Rufftone (right), Deputy President William Ruto (left) and President Uhuru Kenyatta (centre) during the launch of jubilee party at Kasarani stadium, Nairobi on 10/08/2016. [Photo:WILLIS AWANDU/Standard]

Pastoralists in Kenya value their livestock. They attach great importance to dairy cows and bulls. Among the Kalenjin, Maasai, Turkana, Borana, Somali and the Samburu, every homestead and Kraal has a bull. The most versatile and prolific bulls are carefully selected and nurtured to help in the building of family herd. Without these bulls, livestock progeny and milk supply that constitute the diet and well-being of homesteads is greatly curtailed.

Before Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale and the Luhya nation took to bull fighting as a major sport and tourist attraction, pastoral communities used to enjoy and cherish spectacular bull fights. As livestock graze in the arid plains of the South and North Rift Valley, bull fights are a major source of adrenaline rush among the pastoral communities and herdsmen.