President Ruto outshines governors and CSs with Ksh1 million bull purchase at Mombasa ASK show

President William Ruto stole the spotlight at the Mombasa International Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Show after outbidding governors and Cabinet Secretaries to buy a bull for Ksh1 million.

The auction, held on September 4, featured heated competition among top leaders, with Ruto initially losing two prized bulls before clinching victory in the final round.

The Head of State first placed Ksh200,000 on a bull nicknamed Santa Ghetto, but his bid was surpassed by Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke at Ksh300,000, before Sports CS Salim Mvurya closed the deal at Ksh350,000.

In another auction, Ruto’s Ksh400,000 offer for a 775kg Boran bull was quickly topped by an unnamed bidder and later secured by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir at Ksh500,000.

After sitting out the third auction, the President pounced during the final round, where a massive three-year-old Chianina bull weighing 885kg was on offer.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi opened with Ksh300,000, sparking a bidding war that climbed past Ksh600,000. But when the competition appeared to settle, Ruto stunned the crowd with a commanding Ksh1 million bid, ending the contest instantly.

Later, while officially opening the show, Ruto praised farmers for adopting modern breeding techniques and pledged government support to boost agricultural productivity.

The President’s farming passion has long been evident through his ventures in dairy, poultry, and fruit farming. During a past visit to his Narok farm, Ruto emphasised the importance of food security, declaring: “A nation that cannot feed itself cannot claim to be independent.”