ORGANIZERS VOW TO GO ON WITH CITY BULL-FIGHT

DAILY NATION
By JOHN ASHIHUNDU
December 10, 2008

Seven bulls arrived in Nairobi on Wednesday morning from Western Province ready to battle this weekend even as animal rights activists rushed to court to stop the event.
Mr Abedarn “Shibakati” Khadohi of Target Africa, organisers of the bull fight at Kasarani Stadium said they will continue with their plans.

The bulls are Agwambo owned by Wycliffe Shitungu, Shida (Ernest Shiabala), Simba (Charles Makora), Nyati (Alfred Kubili), Jasho (Otinga Likhanga), Lumbe (Peter James) and Shisundi (Alex Musindi).
Animal Welfare Action Kenya (AWAKE) said they will not allow organisers to subject the animals to undue suffering that includes discomfort, pain, injury, fear and distress.

Luhya culture

Another animal rights advocate Pascal G. Kaumbutho said the fight was in contravention of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
On Wednesday, Mr Joseph Ngonyo of AWAKE filed a case accusing the organisers of staging the event for commercial purposes.
Target Africa said the fight was meant to showcase the Luhya culture.

Abakakamega Bull-fighting Association chairman Peter Mboyi said the bulls were brought earlier to climatise before event day. Bull-fighting is a traditional sport among the Luhya of Western Kenya.

Special bulls are bred to fight one another, unlike its Spanish counterpart where the battle pits man against a bull.

PUBLIC COMMENTS
Submitted by kariste72
Posted December 11, 2008 07:10 PM

It is just one of those practices that i do not agree with and which, to my mind, border on barbarism. It is a painful exploitation of the animals for the selfish pleasures and greed of humans and, therefore, i agree with the animal rights groups. Else, next these people will have cock fights at Nyayo stadium!

Submitted by emoit
Posted December 11, 2008 06:53 PM

The AWAKE guys are only seeking to please their sponsors and show that they are at work.I would swear my reputation that the AWAKE guys first had steak and beef sausages before waking up to spew their nonsense.What is cruel,killing a bull for food or watching the bull "strengthen its neck and thighs" for AWAKE fellows to eat later?

Submitted by binubadiy
Posted December 11, 2008 05:49 PM

Lets keep our cultures, AMEEN to that, but we must do away with cultures that put hardships on animals..period.

Submitted by iawe
Posted December 11, 2008 03:58 PM

My bull is named The UnderTaker. How I wish I was in Kenya now. I'd have taken Taker to this RAW event. Agwambo and company are no match to the UnderTaker. AWAKE, this is a cultural thing and we just love it.

Submitted by akaiz1280
Posted December 11, 2008 10:43 AM

This has been Luhyia culture for decades and why does AWAKE wait for them to come to the city? These are the people who sit themselves in Nairobi and claim to be implementing programs that are mostly rural based.And may be one or more among them will be secretly present in Kasarani to have the fun too.

Submitted by Hillaryio
Posted December 11, 2008 09:59 AM

As a luhya that lived with my grandmother when I was little and now well educated, I understand how it is going to be difficult to bring down this cultutal tradition among the Luhyas. The Luhya community(mostly Isukha and Idakho)have a lot of admiration and respect for this culture dating generations to generations. My own MP, Khalwale, has bulls that participate in this sport. Other big lawyers that I know too. Even though I understand the importance of maintaining animal rights, it is important to educate the communities first before trying to root out the culture.

Submitted by kibosmaluche
Posted December 11, 2008 09:43 AM

Why cant AWAKE stop even cocks that are fighting as this is avery common sight. Come on dont go for cheap popularity, let people enjoy their culture.

Submitted by InSidious
Posted December 11, 2008 08:56 AM

Bull Fighting has strict regulations albeit cultural. I do agree with jakager03 and frankly, we need to be more concerned about the 'animals' who maimed other Kenyans during the violence than a sport that dates back centuries. I've been to several bull fights and frankly the bulls are pampered. AWAKE needs to wake up.

Submitted by jakager03
Posted December 11, 2008 02:29 AM

Well, if this is show is going to subject the bulls to discomfort, pain, injury, fear and distress I suppose AWAKE should be in court opposing WWF and Boxing as well. Get over it guys. They should be looking at ways to minimise such instead of wholly outlawing the sport.

Submitted by allanjubi
Posted December 11, 2008 01:01 AM

Harness the bulls to carts and employ those young men to do some meaningful work like cleaning up the the infamous Nairobi slums...what a shame... to see wananchi waste time and energy...did I hear that there is a shortage of some foodstuffs....think.

Submitted by Makanji
Posted December 11, 2008 12:53 AM

Let our people enjoy their culture. If you dont understand the value of this sport, just come and experience it. You will like it.