President Ruto to lead livestock auction at Kisumu ASK show

KENYA – President William Ruto is set to oversee a landmark livestock auction at the Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Kisumu Regional Show, scheduled for July 24-28 at the Mamboleo Showground.

This inaugural auction in Kisumu County is poised to be a highlight of the regional exhibition, which has garnered participation from over 120 local and international exhibitors.

Kisumu ASK Chairman George Ong’udi emphasized that the event will feature highly improved livestock breeds, enhancing the show’s prestige.

“Introducing a livestock auction is a first for us. We’ve faced challenges in sourcing high-quality animals, but those have been resolved. We anticipate the presence of President Ruto and other senior government officials,” Ong’udi stated.

Preparations for the event are complete, with additional exhibitors from Uganda and Tanzania expected to join the annual gathering. 

The show’s theme, “Promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture and Trade Initiatives for Sustainable Growth,” has attracted a diverse range of exhibitors from agriculture, manufacturing, housing, SMEs, banking, hospitality, education, and both public and private sectors.

Prominent sugar factories, including South Nyanza (SONY), Chemelil, and Kipchimchim, have confirmed their attendance.

They will present various technological advancements and products related to the sugar industry. 

This announcement follows the recent Kenya Meat Expo, which weeks ago shed light on the vital role of the livestock industry in Africa’s economic situation. 

Dr. Huyam Salih, Director of AU-IBAR, highlighted the sector’s importance and its potential to drive the continent’s growth under the BETA agenda, aimed at transforming the meat industry.

Dr. Salih noted the livestock sector’s significant contribution to economic transformation, stating, “The meat sub-sector contributes 24.9% to GDP and is growing faster than traditional agriculture. Africa holds a third of the world’s livestock, with Kenya being a key player due to its large herds.”

With the demand for animal-sourced foods (ASF) on the rise, driven by urbanization and a growing middle class, Dr. Salih pointed out that ASF consumption in Africa is currently at 12.2 grams per day, half the global average. 

Despite increasing demand, Africa imports US$4 billion worth of animal products annually due to insufficient domestic production.

Challenges such as low investment levels and climate change impacts plague the sector. 

Dr. Salih remarked, “Agricultural spending on livestock dropped from 30% in 2015 to 12% in 2022, far below the recommended 30% by the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa.”

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