In a spectacle that blended prestige, politics, and passion for livestock, President William Ruto on Thursday, September 4, walked away with the crown jewel of the Mombasa International Agriculture Society of Kenya (ASK) Show: a towering three-year-old Chianina bull weighing 885 kilograms.
The prized bull, imported from South Africa, fetched a record-breaking bid of Ksh1 million, cementing its status as the highlight of the livestock auction.
The drama began when Senate Speaker Amason Kingi opened the bidding at Ksh300,000. President Ruto, a seasoned farmer in his own right, quickly raised the stakes to Ksh400,000. Not to be left out, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir upped the offer to Ksh500,000, sparking a spirited back-and-forth that had the packed crowd on edge.
Kingi returned with Ksh550,000, Nassir countered at Ksh600,000, and then Ruto boldly pushed the figure to Ksh700,000. After heated consultations involving Kingi, Nassir, Livestock Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke, and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, the hammer finally fell at Ksh1 million in the President’s favor.
The Chianina breed, famed for its towering frame, lean meat, and centuries-old Italian heritage, is regarded as one of the largest cattle breeds in the world. For Kenya’s livestock farmers, its presence at the Mombasa show was not just a spectacle but a statement about the country’s growing appetite for world-class breeding stock.
Earlier, President Ruto had unsuccessfully bid for another bull named Santa Ghetto. He began at Ksh200,000, but PS Mueke and CS Mvurya swiftly raised the competition, with Mvurya walking away with the animal for Ksh350,000.
The high-stakes auction unfolded as part of the five-day Mombasa International ASK Show (September 3–7, 2025) at the Jomo Kenyatta Showground in Mkomani. The event, a flagship in Kenya’s agricultural calendar, showcases the best in agribusiness, innovation, livestock breeding, cultural heritage, and trade opportunities.
From the Farmers’ Oasis to the Livestock Pavilion, the show offered farmers, investors, and the public a glimpse into modern farming practices and Kenya’s push toward agricultural excellence. The ASK organizes 16 such shows annually across the country, each aimed at strengthening agribusiness and celebrating agricultural ingenuity.
For Ruto, the million-shilling bull was more than just a showground trophy—it was a reaffirmation of his long-professed belief that Kenya’s future lies in empowering farmers, investing in livestock, and driving agribusiness as a pillar of the economy.
And for the crowd in Mombasa, it was the kind of riveting bidding war that transformed a livestock auction into pure theatre.
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