A Meh-rry Christmas in Baringo as farmers prepare for Kimalel Goat Auction

The annual event will see over 4,200 goats get new owners, with President William Ruto expected to grace the occasion.

This year’s auction marks a significant turning point in the history of Kimalel. For the first time since its inception in 1992, the sale has embraced digital technology, gradually phasing out the long-standing tradition that required buyers to be physically present at the auction grounds. Through the digital platform, buyers can now participate remotely, widening the market and reducing costs for farmers.

Before any goat is listed for sale, livestock and veterinary officers conduct a rigorous selection process. 

Each animal is inspected to confirm the correct live weight and certify that it is free from disease—an assurance aimed at protecting buyers while guaranteeing farmers fair value for their stock.

One of the auctioneers set to take over Kimalel is Samuel Kangor Sergon, a seasoned livestock farmer with a herd of more than 300 goats. 

Together with veterinary officers, Kangor was busy selecting animals destined for the Kimalel auction. A familiar face at the event, Kangor says he has been participating since the auction’s launch more than three decades ago.

Kangor said Kimalel has completely changed their lives.

“Since 1992, farmers have always received good returns. The timing is perfect because the money helps us pay school fees as children prepare to report back in January,” he told Citizen Digital. 

Kangor welcomes the shift to digital sales, noting that it has eased transactions and eliminated the need to move animals and farmers over long distances—significantly cutting transport costs. He adds that goat prices have steadily improved over the years, with farmers this season projecting prices of up to Ksh.20,000 per goat, depending on size and quality.

The digital transformation is part of a broader livestock commercialization strategy by the county government. 

Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi says the county is committed to modernizing livestock marketing through digital platforms and the operationalization of the Maoi Abattoir, which will enable farmers to sell goats consistently throughout the year, not just during the festive season.

Beyond trade, the Kimalel Goat Auction remains a powerful cultural and social gathering. Residents and visitors are treated to vibrant boat races on Lake Baringo, featuring traditional rafts—locally known as Kaldich—alongside motorboats. 

The spectacle draws together different communities, fostering cohesion while celebrating the region’s rich cultural heritage.

The Kimalel Goat Auction was the brainchild of the late President Daniel arap Moi, who launched it in 1992 with a vision to improve the livelihoods of Baringo’s pastoral communities by providing a reliable market and better prices for their livestock. 

Over the years, that vision has endured, helping generations of farmers educate their children and build resilience through livestock.