Bullfighting, commonly known as “Maayo ” in the Luhya dialect has continued to attract huge crowds during the game and remains a darling to many especially the youths with roots of origin from the Isukha and Idakho clans in the Luhya community, the Kabras have also started embracing the sport.
Early in the morning you will see crowds escorting their bulls with youths of four to six on boda bodas with big rungus hurrying to attend the game.
Kakamega residents watching the bullfight exercise
After the bulls have locked their horns and displayed their might, the winner gets rewarded according to an earlier agreement and await a rematch in the next game.
This game has however brought a lot of pain to many. Many have nursed injuries sustained from attacks from the bulls, while some have even sold parcels of land to make bets that have lost leaving grown men in tears.
Parents are however raising a red flag over this game, complaining of their children being addicted.
Former Kakamega Municipal Council chairperson John Shimaka wants the local administration to intervene and control the youths attending the event.
“Our children are waking up at 4 am in the morning to attend this bullfights and you will see six or five of them seated on one boda boda not knowing the risk they are staring at, what are we really teaching our children?” queried Shimaka
Will the chiefs and the entire local administration even manage these big crowds always witnessed during the bullfighting games?