At the annual Kimalel goat auction in Baringo County on Thursday, President William Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, purchased goats valued at Ksh.15 million.

As he presided over the auction, President Ruto said that he and his deputy would buy 1,000 goats for Ksh. 15,000.

Additionally, hundreds of the leaders in attendance purchased goats, with numbers ranging from 150 to 5.

After briefly complaining about the Ksh. 15,000 premium price, President Ruto let the other leaders, including the Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Governors, Senators, and MCAs, to purchase each goat for Ksh. 13,000.

At the Kimalel goat auction last year, each goat brought in Ksh. 12,000, all of which went toward supporting the local communities.

Among those present were Transport CS Murkomen, who purchased 150 goats, MP Oscar Sudi (150), MPs from Baringo (120), Governor Cheboi (100), Belgut MP Nelson Koech (100), KNCCI President Dr. Eric Ruto (100), and Senator Cheptumo (50).

All payments, the President stated, will be done in cash.

“Mambo nimawili… hakuna deni na hakuna cheque. ni cash,” said Ruto while leading the auction.

Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi stated last year that the auction gives a platform to highlight the county’s rich cultural and tourist sites.