One of the champion bulls at the live auction at the ongoing Nairobi International Trade Fair/GLADYS NJOKA.
President William Ruto yesterday opened the Nairobi International Trade Fair at Jamhuri Grounds in Nairobi, with the climax being the competitive livestock auction.
At the auction, champion bulls and goats were paraded before eager bidders, with President Ruto and Al-faraz Meat experts emerging as the top buyers of the day.
The supreme champion Boran bull, weighing 720 kilogrammes, was bought by the President at Sh700,000. Alfaraz outbid others to purchase another supreme champion Boran bull, weighing 660 kilograms at Sh750,000.
Agriculture and Livestock Development CS Mutahi Kagwe purchased a reserve champion crossbreed bull weighing 630 kilogrammes at Sh600,000.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja acquired the reserve supreme champion crossbreed, weighing 655 kilogrammes, for Sh500,000.
While the show dazzled with livestock displays, several long-time exhibitors including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), the National Irrigation Authority (NIA), the University of Nairobi, and New KCC, were notably absent this year. These institutions have in the past been renowned for unveiling groundbreaking agricultural innovations.
However, other key players such as the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation and Simlaw Seeds stepped up, showcasing climate-smart crop varieties, including sorghum and tomatoes, well-suited for greenhouse and open-field farming.
The 2025 edition of the Nairobi International Trade Fair opened to the public on September 29 and will run until October 5. This year’s theme, “Promoting Climate Smart Agriculture and Trade Initiatives for Sustainable Economic Growth,” reflects Kenya’s deepening focus on resilience and innovation in the face of climate change.
The event has attracted more than 250 exhibitors, ranging from agri-tech firms, farms, SMEs and corporate organisations to institutions of higher learning and international delegations from China, India, Ghana, Tanzania, South Africa and Nigeria.
Tickets are retailing at Sh300 for adults and Sh250 for children, giving Kenyans access to one of the region’s largest agricultural exhibitions blending tradition, modern innovation and opportunities for youth-led enterprises.
