An American animal rights organisation has condemned the planned Kakamega County Bullfighting Premier League set to start in 2026, terming it as cruelty to animals.
In a strong-worded statement to newsrooms, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia’s Senior Vice President, Jason Baker, warned that the planned league could tarnish Kenya’s global reputation as a wildlife-friendly destination and advised that it should be suspended immediately.
“Bullfighting is an antiquated spectacle from a time when humans had far less understanding of animals and their needs. Bullfighting is not culture, it’s cruelty,” Baker wrote.
Baker criticised the county’s decision to institutionalise bullfighting, arguing that it promotes violence against animals under the guise of tradition.
“Yet Kakamega County in Kenya is set to launch a bullfighting league in 2026. This is a terrible idea. And it’s not just bad news for animals, it’s bad for the people of Kakamega and the nation’s reputation,” the animal rights defender continued.
While acknowledging that Kenya is a country rich in music, art, and competition, the organisation argues that this should be strictly for humans who choose to compete or entertain and not animals.
According to the American animal rights defender, bullfighting forces defenceless animals into violent confrontations for mere entertainment, stripping them of choice and exposing them to distress and injury.
“Bulls are complex animals with unique personalities who form sophisticated social bonds. They are peaceful and social by nature. They don’t want to participate in “bullfighting,” a misleading term, since the bulls aren’t truly “fighting” but are provoked into aggression,” he said.
The organization's concerns follow the bullfighting league planned by the Ferdinand Barasa-led county, in what it termed as a form of enriching culture.
The planned league, set to launch in 2026, aims to formalise bullfighting competitions to attract spectators and boost local tourism. The League will feature top bulls from all 12 sub-counties, with the ultimate champion set to take home a cash prize of Ksh200,000.
“For decades, bullfighting has been part of our identity as the Luhya people. It brings families and communities together and symbolises strength, honour, and celebration,” Governor Barasa said during the official announcement of the league.
The move was welcomed by residents and bullfighting enthusiasts as a step toward formalizing and elevating a beloved cultural sport. Bullfighting has been popular in the area for years, championed as one of the activities that bring the community together.
